Despite race discrimination around the world, there are still people who overcome and persevere through these challenges - often at great risk to themselves. During the 1930s, in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, a small town called Maycomb held a trial against an innocent African American man accused of raping a Caucasian woman. The reader experiences life in Maycomb through the eyes of ten year old girl name Jean-Louise Finch, Scout. In this case, Atticus Finch, Scout’s father, was assigned to be the lawyer for the accused, Tom Robinson. However, Atticus has integrity and tries his best for Tom even if his own life is at risk. It makes sense for Atticus to take a stand to defend Tom Robinson because that was who Atticus was, …show more content…
For example, in chapter 18, Judge Taylor said, “Mr. Finch is courteous to everyone.” (pg. 182). When Judge Taylor uses the word ‘courteous’ to describe Atticus, he is acknowledging the fact that Atticus is a respectful and kind to Mayella even if it was unnecessary. With that amount of respect and integrity, standing up for Tom Robinson makes sense. In chapter 10, Atticus told Jem and Scout, “Shoot all the bluejays you want if you hit’em, but remember its a sin to kill a mockingbird.” (pg.90). Atticus believes that killing a mockingbird or an innocent man for no reason is disobeying the Golden Rule. Therefore, when Atticus stood up Tom Robinson during the trial, he was treating Tom with the same respect as he has treated Mayella with. For instance, in chapter 11 Atticus explained to his children, “I wanted you to see what real courage is, not a man with a gun… it’s when you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway.” (pg. 112). Atticus believes that real courage is trying again after you lost, not winning by the simple way or a gunshot. Atticus probably knew that the jury will say that Tom is guilty. Yet Atticus has integrity and tries his best for Tom despite the
Tom Robinson is caught kissing a white woman from Maycomb named Mayella Ewell. To prevent being frowned upon by the local citizens, she instead said that Tom Robinson raped her even though that was far from the truth. He’s taken into trial with the help of Atticus, and the case is unarguably one of the factors that help further the theme of innocence in Scout’s view. Atticus is determined to help Tom, even if it means that the citizens will turn against his own family because “killing a mockingbird is a sin.” As events progress, Scout is taught that discrimination solely because someone is “different” is
But since Atticus does everything in his power to help Tom, the people who don’t want a fair trial turns their anger towards him. They could ruin so many things: his business, his life, even his children’s lives, as seen in Bob Ewell’s threatening “he’d get him if it took the rest of his life” (Lee 217). Because Atticus followed his integrity, every aspect of his life is put at
Everyone has had to take a stand for someone at some point in their life, sometimes it's risky, and sometimes it’s dangerous, but you have to face it and stand up for what you believe in and fight against the odds. In Harper Lee’s “To Kill A Mockingbird”, A lawyer named Atticus has to defend a black man called Tom Robinson, who was accused of raping a white girl named Mayella Ewells. In the 1930s, racism was common in Maycomb County, and it was no easy task to defend a man of color. Atticus takes a stand for Tom Robinson, And it would make sense why, since Atticus holds an open-minded personality, and treats everyone as equals. He is a determined person and tries to think empathetically.
“They’re certainly entitled to think that, and they’re entitled to full respect for their opinions,” declares Atticus, “But before I can live with other folks I’ve got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience” (Lee 140). Since Atticus has taken the Tom Robinson court case several people in town are calling Atticus names and do not approve of what he is doing. Atticus is taking it upon himself to defend Tom no matter what other people think of him, for this reason Atticus is showing his empathy for Tom through defending him and hearing Tom’s side of the story out. Sometimes it is hard to go against what other people are saying, for the one person they have to stay true to their word and stand by it and let no one change their minds; Atticus is that one person who has sympathy to help Tom out and he doesn't care what other people
Atticus feels that his words would have no authority because he followed the popular decision of not defending Tom. No matter what trouble it causes Atticus he will always do what right, even if nobody agrees with him.
Atticus being a white men also showed courage by going against the Maycomb people and willingly defended Tom Robinson, a black men. Due to that he was often called N-lover by other white people. Despite of those criticisms given by many of the town’s people, he did his best to defend Tom. He said, "If I didn't I couldn't hold my head up in town, I couldn't represent this country in legislature, I couldn't even tell you or Jem not to do something".(page 75). On page 149, Atticus says : “Son, I told you that if you hadn't lost your head I'd have made you go read to her.
Life is like outer space, unknown and always changing. In the story To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee writes about the segregation, hate, and prejudice in a town called Maycomb. Tom Robinson, a black man, is accused of rape and doesn’t know what to expect. His attorney, Atticus Finch, an experienced, knowledgeable, and kind man, does his absolute best to defend him. However, the jury consists of all white males, most being racist and narrow-minded about the situation.
Jem further understood the true meaning of moral courage when he saw Atticus defending Tom Robinson, a black man. Although Atticus was hugely outnumbered and even cornered by Mr Cunningham and some other people, he did not back down from them. Instead, he seemed even more determined to win the case and prove Tom Robinson 's innocence to all of Maycomb County. Almost everyone in Maycomb County had criticised Atticus and his children for taking up the case of defending Tom Robinson and they were even called "nigger lovers" by many. At first, Jem did not understand why his father chose to defend Tom Robinson when he knew that people would whisper and gossip about it and that the possibility of him winning the case was very low.
writes atticus attacked the supposed victim Mayela in this chapter by saying she just blame tom and innocent black man to possibly get rid of her guilt. Another way atticus used logos pathos, and ethos. During his final statement Atticus “unbuttoned his vest loosened his collar and took of his coat.” But Atticus has really never done
He was appointed to defend a black man named Tom Robinson for raping Mayella Ewell. Most townsfolk caught news of this and instantly began to give Atticus dirty looks and began calling him vulgar names. Atticus, is a very nice person who wants to do the right thing, and he has an opinion about people who disagree with him defending Tom Robinson. “They’re certainly entitled to think they, and they’re entitled to full respect for their opinions.” (120).
Author Harper Lee, in her novel “To Kill A Mockingbird”, depicts a court trial in which Atticus Finch, a Maycomb County lawyer, attempts to defend an innocent black man, Tom Robinson, who was falsely accused of rape and beating by a young white woman, Mayella Ewell. Finch’s purpose is to prove Tom’s innocence to the court and avoid an inaccurate conviction. He adopts a deliberate tone in order to rule the jury’s speculation in favor of Robinsons guiltlessness. Atticus begins his argument by contrasting social moralities versus actual law.
“He also is willing to stand up against the odds-he knows he’s ‘licked’ before he even begins” (Text 2). Atticus knows he will not be able to win this case even if Tom Robinson is innocent. Unfortunately the town and the jury are corrupt and will not give Tom a fair trial. Almost anyone can see that Atticus Finch defends Tom Robinson to show compassion through the “Golden Rule” and set an example for his children.
Heroes are not invincible, and certainly are not the ones who always win; however, a hero is someone who, despite this, is courageous enough to fight for what is right. Atticus Finch, one of the most inspiring literary characters from the highly acclaimed novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, is an example of such. This classic novel is told from the perspective of Scout Finch, Atticus’ daughter, a young girl who lives in the town of Maycomb County, Alabama, in the 1930s, a town where prejudice and discrimination is rife. Rather than succumbing to societal expectations and adopting the extreme animosity held by the other citizens, Atticus views and treats all with the dignity and respect that they are entitled to, guiding his
Atticus has a strong case in court because Mayella had bruises on her left cheek and Bob Ewell was left handed whereasalthough Tom Robinson is right-handed a righty. Tom is like a mockingbird because he is innocent. Atticus uses the analogy of the mockingbird to convey to Scout (and to the reader) that the innocent need to be protected. That is why Atticus has chosen to defend Tom Robinson even thoughalthough most of the town had already assumed he was
Racism means hate towards another race and injustice mean unfair treatment, according to learner 's dictionary. In Just Mercy, Bryan Stevenson, an African american lawyer, was helping people get justice for the colored community. Another book similar to Just Mercy is, To Kill a Mockingbird, which made in 1960 was written by Harper Lee. Harper Lee addressed many issues about racial injustice too. Just Mercy was written in 2014,