In Harper Lee's novel "To Kill a Mockingbird," the jury in Tom Robinson's trial convicts him despite evidence that suggests his innocence. Several factors contribute to the jury's belief in Tom's guilt:
1. **Racial Prejudice**: The novel is set in the racially segregated South during the 1930s, and racial prejudice is pervasive. Tom Robinson is a Black man accused of raping a white woman, Mayella Ewell. Many of the jurors hold deeply ingrained racist beliefs, leading them to automatically assume Tom's guilt due to his race.
2. **Social Hierarchy**: In the society depicted in the novel, the word of a white person, especially a white woman like Mayella, is often considered more credible than that of a Black person. The jurors are influenced by the social hierarchy that places Black individuals at a disadvantage.
3. **Lack of Empathy**: Some jurors lack empathy for Tom Robinson's plight. They fail to consider the physical evidence and the inconsistencies in Mayella Ewell's testimony. Instead, they are swayed by their own biases and the desire to maintain the status quo of racial segregation.
4. **Fear of Social Outcasts**: Atticus Finch, Tom Robinson's defense attorney, effectively presents evidence that casts doubt on Tom's guilt. However, the jurors fear the consequences of going against the prevailing racial norms. They worry about being ostracized by their community if they were to acquit a Black man accused of raping a white woman.
5. **Peer Pressure**: The jury's deliberations are influenced by the collective pressure to conform to the group's verdict. Jurors who may have had doubts about Tom's guilt may have been reluctant to voice their opinions for fear of being isolated or criticized by their fellow jurors.
In the end, despite the evidence pointing to Tom Robinson's innocence, the deeply ingrained racial prejudices and societal pressures lead the jury to convict him. Tom's conviction highlights the systemic racism and injustice that prevailed in the society portrayed in the novel.