Here's a breakdown of the style and key elements:
* Leading questions: Mr. Gilmer, the prosecutor, constantly uses leading questions, which subtly suggest the desired answer. For example, he asks, "So you say you just happened to be passing by the Ewell house on the night of the alleged attack?", framing Tom as if he was lurking around the Ewell residence.
* Attacking character: Mr. Gilmer focuses on Tom's past as a black man, portraying him as inherently untrustworthy and prone to violence. He emphasizes his previous conviction for disorderly conduct, highlighting the prejudice prevalent in the community.
* Playing on stereotypes: Mr. Gilmer deliberately appeals to the racial biases of the jury by emphasizing Tom's physical strength and using the word "boy" when addressing him, reinforcing the racial power dynamic of the time.
* Exploiting prejudice: He makes accusations about Tom's alleged advances towards Mayella Ewell, using the fear of a black man being a threat to white women to further his case.
* Creating a false narrative: Mr. Gilmer paints a picture of Tom as a dangerous aggressor who took advantage of a vulnerable white woman, despite the evidence pointing to the opposite. He uses a manipulative and misleading approach to control the jury's perception of the events.
Ultimately, Mr. Gilmer's cross-examination is a powerful example of how prejudice and legal tactics can be used to manipulate a legal process, even when the truth is clear.
It's important to note that Atticus Finch, Tom's defense lawyer, attempts to counter Mr. Gilmer's approach by highlighting the factual evidence, showing Tom's physical limitations, and demonstrating the credibility of Mayella's lies. However, the ingrained racial prejudice of the jury ultimately proves insurmountable.