1. Heightened Dramatic Impact: By establishing a seemingly positive trajectory, Lee heightens the dramatic impact of the eventual guilty verdict. The shift from hope to disappointment underscores the harsh reality of racial prejudice and injustice that pervades the novel's setting.
2. Emphasizing the Unpredictability of Justice: The unexpected verdict highlights the flaws and uncertainties inherent in the justice system. It reinforces the idea that even in cases where the evidence seems clear and the arguments compelling, the outcome may still be influenced by biases and prejudices.
3. Moral Complexity: The novel presents a morally complex situation where the protagonist, Atticus Finch, eloquently presents the case for justice, but societal norms and deeply entrenched racism ultimately prevail. This contrast challenges readers to confront the limitations of the legal system and the challenges faced by individuals who stand up for justice.
4. Character Development: The trial's outcome shapes the development of the novel's characters, particularly Scout and Jem Finch. The verdict leaves them disillusioned and forces them to confront the harsh realities of adult life. It contributes to their growth and understanding of the world around them.
5. Social Commentary: Lee uses the trial and its outcome as a vehicle for social commentary on the persistence of racial prejudice in American society. By creating a seemingly favorable scenario only to subvert it, the author highlights the hypocrisy and injustice that often characterized legal proceedings involving African Americans during the time period of the novel.
Ultimately, Lee's narrative choice underscores the novel's central themes of racial inequality, the fallibility of the legal system, and the ongoing fight for justice and equality in a society plagued by prejudice and injustice.