In the trial of Tom Robinson, Harper Lee builds suspense in
a very powerful way. Whatever tension there is is already doubled by Jems
reactions to everything that happens. This excites Scout and therefore makes
the situation more exciting for the reader. For example on page 173 when the
heat rises in the court discussion "Jem’s hand, which was resting on the
balcony rail, tightened around it. He drew in his breath suddenly. Glancing
below, I saw no corresponding reaction, and wondered if Jem was trying to be dramatic." Jem’s tense and exaggerated and tense
reaction means that although Scout does not still fully understand what is
happening in the trial at that moment she is alert and greedy for more
information, as is the reader.
Also the fact that all of the "negroes" are
sitting behind Dill, Jem and Scout adds to the tension because it shows the
true injustice of the situation, where children who are maybe not even supposed
to be there have better seats that the potential friends and family of Tom
Robinson. The fact that Atticus is the children’s father also has a very
powerful affect when adding tension as their wanting for him to do well and not
shame himself is evident through the way that they pay so much attention to the
entire goings on in the trial. When Atticus asks “Mr Ewell, can you read and
write?” his air of mysteriousness grips each and every person in the court room
and this builds the suspense as it appears to be a spark of hope for Tom Robinson, which before that moment had
not appeared to exist.