All Men Are Created Equal Rhetorical Analysis

President Lincoln’s believed that “all men are created equal”. While Atticus attempted to provide the jurors with a sense of duty and to take the high road, they did not recognize Tom Robinson as an equal in the courts. In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus argues against Maycomb’s racial values to defend Tom Robinson through the use of logical reasoning and emotional appeal.

Atticus uses logos in an attempt to explain why Tom could not have been guilty. He begins his speech by saying that there was not enough evidence for the court to even come to trial, stating, “The State has not produced one iota of medical evidence that the crime Tom Robinson is charged with ever took place.” He points out that the evidence shows that Mayella

He then tries to transfer the audience’s pity to Tom Robinson, who is the real victim in the courtroom. He calls out the ‘witnesses’ for assuming that the jury would believe them just because of Robinson’s skin color. By doing this he appeals to the jury’s emotions by claiming that they are smarter than only judging on skin color. He addresses the racist prejudices that the jury might have had and tells them they are better than that, making them feel guilty for the racism they may have felt. Atticus tells the jury he is sure that they will make the right decision, saying, “Now I am confident that you gentlemen will review without passion the evidence that you have heard, come to a decision, and restore this man to his family.” He is putting additional pressure on them to make a choice based on facts and not on prejudiced ideas about race. In the courts, all men are supposed to be equal. They are the fortress of justice, and must never be corrupt. Innocent people should not be punished, but instead justice ought to be restored to them. Unfortunately, despite Atticus’ logical and emotional appeals, the jury of Maycomb cannot be swayed from their terrible racist views and finds Tom Robinson