In chapter 19 Mr. Gilmer questions Tom in a harsh manner using a cruel technique. Mr. Gilmer focuses on all of the things that could have proved that Tom was guilty. It was not based off of clear evidence. For example on pg. 196 Mr. Gilmer says, "Robinson, you're pretty good at busting up chiffarobes and kindling with one hand, aren't you?" Tom replies yes and then Mr Gilmer says, "Strong enough to choke the breath out of a woman and sling her to the floor?" Using these kinds of questions he frames Tom. If Tom says he isn't strong he would be lying about what he is capable of and it would make him sound like he was trying to get out of being convicted. Dill cries because he is sick at how Mr. Gilmer speaks to Tom. On pg. 198 he says to Tom, "Are you being impudent to me, boy?" He is very degrading towards Tom in the way he speaks and this bothers Dill. Scout tries to explain to him that Tom is just a Negro but Dill strongly believes that it isn't right to treat any person that way. All of these things show how black people were viewed in Maycomb.
n. schoepp
This seems less of a intimidation technique and more of an attempt to sway the jury. I do not think Mr. Gilmer cares if Tom is charged or not, he just wants to get paid. That's why I think Mr. Gilmer is not trying to intimidate Tom rather just swing the case in his favor. I'm sure Mr. Gilmer knew he had already won the case and he knew that he did not really have to display any evidence against Tom to still get him charged. And I agree, Dill is crying because he knows it is wrong for people to be treated like that.
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