Judge John Taylor

"John Taylor was kind enough to give us a postponement..."

(Page 75)

General information

Judge John Taylor is an elderly man and a character from the 1960/1962 novel/film To Kill A Mockingbird. He was the judge who asked Atticus Finch to take the case involving defending Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping Mayella Ewell.

“Judge Taylor was on the bench, looking like a sleepy old shark, his pilot fish writing rapidly below in front of him. Judge Taylor looked like most judges I had ever seen: amiable, white-haired, slightly ruddy-faced, he was a man who ran his court with an alarming informality…” (187).

Scout’s description of Judge Taylor as “a sleepy old shark” helps to develop the theme of how appearances can be deceiving (187). Even though Judge Taylor looks a little odd from the outside, he supports Tom Robinson and he represents justice. He appoints Atticus even though the job was meant for a less experienced man. He heavily supports Atticus and believes that Tom Robinson is not guilty. He has no voice in the final outcome, so when the prejudiced jury declares Tom guilty, he can not do anything. Although he looks shabby and casual on the outside, inside, he is very fair.

Background

Taylor has almost no political views that are explicitly stated in the book, except for his deep respect of Atticus and a great distaste for the Ewells -- Bob Ewell in particular.

Physical features

Old, white haired man. oof

Quirks

Taylor runs court sessions in a very casual and informal fashion, in great contrast with most court judges.

Crisis point

Taylor heavily agrees with Atticus' arguments, but, to his sadness, cannot pardon Tom because the prejudiced jury declares Tom guilty.

Development throughout

It is alleged that after the trial, Bob Ewell attempted to break into John's house while his wife was at church.

Personal Life

Taylor enjoys singing and dipping. He is also a very informal person. He is mostly impartial, but in the case of Tom Robinson, he made the jury biased against the prosecution (Bob Ewell) by looking at him "as if he were a three-legged chicken or a square egg." (Lee 335)

~ I don't believe he made the jury biased. I think the jury was already biased against Tom Robinson. Judge Taylor supports Atticus and believes that Tom Robinson was not guilty.