Question

Why does Mayella Ewell accuse Tom Robinson of beating her?

Answer 1

I think it was because she was basically hitting on him in the first place, and in that historical time period she would be socially ostracized if that information were to come to light (which it did). It would be much easier for her, a white woman, to accuse Tom, a black man, of rape and abuse than admit to her father and everyone else what she had done. We know that in that time period most people were indeed racist, and Mayella sought to take advantage of that. It did influence the outcome of the case tremendously.

Answer 2

Didn't her father make her do it?

Answer 3

I don't remember there being a definitive reason, but that is a possible theory as well.

Answer 4

She used him to do stuff for her, then tried to kiss him because she never kissed a black man before, then tries to get him in trouble. They were also racist.