what strategies does the author uae to make sure readers will feel some sympathy for mayella ewel

There are definitely reasons the reader feels sympathy for Mayella, in the same way there are reason we'd like to see her tried for her part in Tom Robinson's trial.

The girl is lonely and abused, she carries far too much responsiblity for the other members of her family, her father should be strung up for the physical and mental treatment he influcts upon her on a regular basis. Let's face it, she's far more afraid of her father than being caught in her lie.....