One way in which Lee heightens tension in the scene is juxtaposing the approach of the prosecuting council, Mr. Gilmer and that of Atticus. While Mr. Gilmer "leads" the witness, Mayella, by saying things like, "You fought him off as hard as you could? Fought him tooth and nail?" Atticus slowly lets Mayella's character speak for itself. He asks her seemingly innocent questions about her life with her impoverished family, her friends, and especially the way her father treats her.
"Do you love your father, Miss Mayella?"
As she stammers over her response, Atticus gently asks if the man beats her. Though she responds negatively, it is clear that her life at home is hellish.
This gentle prodding allows Atticus to get to the lie Mayella has been compelled to tell about Tom. He asks again and again in his gentle way for details. When she claims that Tom "hit her and choked her," Atticus proves that this could not have been the case. Tom had suffered an accident that leaves his left arm useless.
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