Have you ever made a decision that created a negative effect on people around you? Attics, from To Kill a Mockingbird, faced this when he decided to take on the case concerning Tom Robinson. Everyone clearly agrees that Atticus did indeed take the case. But while some argue that he was right in taking it, others he should not have taken the case.
Atticus should not have defended Tom Robinson for three reasons: Atticus and his family are rejected, Scout and Jem are ridiculed, and Aunt, Uncle, and cousin show disgust.(new 3rd proof)
The first reason why Atticus should not have defended Tom Robinson is because He and his family are rejected(shunned) from society. Since Atticus had chosen to side with Tom, their simple society has turned against
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Scout and Jem are continually made fun of by their peers who call them and Atticus “nigger lovers”. People who were friends now hate them(new subproof), their friends from school now make fun of them because Scout and Jem’s Father is siding with a black man on the case. Some say it was good for Scout and Jem to learn to stand up for their morals at a young age(antithesis), but it was not healthy for Scout and Jem to experience such social loss. They are impressionable children who definitely could have sided with their peers on the issue of segregation. It was Atticus’s reasoning, Calpurnia’s kindness, and the black community’s love that allowed the children to stand with them.
The third reason that Atticus should not have defended Tom Robinson is because their Aunt, Uncle, and cousin show disgust. When Atticus and his family go visit some of their immediate relatives, the tension is evident. Scout's Aunt and Uncle don't agree with Atticus’s decision and their disgust is clearly shown. Their disgust even rubs off on their only child, Francis, who acts like an annoying fly that you can't swat away(simile), taunts Scout with cruel words. The division of the family creates negative effects on the children, especially Scout, as they try to understand the issues
Atticus, however, did what he knew was right and defended Tom with passion. Atticus’s choice to defend Tom was heroic, but had major consequences for his kids. Amongst other things, such as almost getting Jem and Scout killed and letting them run free without
‘The main one is, if I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this county in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again.’” (Lee, 75) Scout and Atticus go on to talk about how Jem and Scout wouldn’t have to mind Atticus, if he didn’t defend Tom. Atticus’s first act of wisdom was deciding to defend Tom. He says; “‘Every
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.
I truly believe Atticus chose the right decision to stand by Tom Robinson and defend his innocence. Even though so many disagreed with the decision he didn’t let their opinions affect his own thoughts. He was very committed to racial equality and wasn’t afraid to show it. This shows that Atticus is a good person and won't let anybody take that characteristic of his
Atticus knows that “there’s been some high talk around town to the effect that [he] shouldn’t do much about defending [Tom Robinson]” (100). However, even though his family and friends my disagree, may even think less of him, Atticus’ interaction with this case gives his cause to think greater of himself because he is fighting for what he believes in. This kind of situation is difficult when you’re opposing you’re enemies, but even harder when you are up against your friends. Even so, Atticus on the path he knows is right, risking his popularity and status among the town. Atticus tells Scout, “you just hold your head high and keep your fists down.
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).
“We will never have true civilization until we have learned to recognize the rights of others.” said Will Rogers. People will not understand how people would feel if it were them being the ones that were separated just because of the color of their skin, You’re looked at differently Like you’re not good enough to be treated as a human. Never think that you’re not good enough to have your rights. No matter what race you are or beliefs you have you are human, the same as everyone else. Two kids, Jem and Scout experience the true hat and cruelty of the world.
Our whole lives growing up we are told to follow the “Golden Rule”. This rule is defined as to treat someone the way you want to be treated. In the book To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch a lawyer in a town called Maycomb in Alabama tries his best to be a role model for his two children. In the quiet town of Maycomb Atticus is given the job to defend a black man named Tom Robinson. Atticus wants to teach his kids Jem and Scout life lessons at an early age so they grow up as respectable people.
In the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Scout embodies Atticus’ advice regarding both her internal and external conflicts stemming from the court case, which leads to her discovering the theme that adversity is not worth one’s relationships with those they are close to. During the plot, Jem and Scout are continuously ridiculed by their family and classmates due to the fact that their father is defending Tom Robinson, a black man, in a trial. The two act irrationally in response, whether it is Scout fighting her cousin, Francis, or Jem cutting down fellow Maycomb resident, Miss Dubose’s camellia bushes. When Atticus discovers these things, he tells his children that in this case, “(they) aren’t fighting the Yankees”, but instead their loved ones; however, it should not get in between those ties, as in the end “they’re still (their) friends and this is still (their) home” (Lee 76).
As Atticus is talking to Scout, he remarks that “every lawyer gets at least one case in his lifetime that affects him personally. This one’s mine, I guess” (Lee 101). Atticus knows that accepting the opportunity to defend Tom Robinson in court is dangerous because it will put him and his family in an unforgiving situation. Furthermore, Atticus expresses courage when he frequently states, “it's not time to worry yet” (Lee 139).
Atticus is a courageous man and is also a good influencer to his kids, Scout and Jem. He teaches them that everyone matters in this world no matter how different someone can be. Harper Lee writes, "This case, Tom Robinson's case, is something that goes to the essence of a man's conscience-Scout, I couldn’t go to church if I didn't try to help that man."(104). This quote shows how much Atticus wanted to help out Tom even if he knows that the outcome will still be the same but if he at least tries he will not live with the guilt inside of him for the rest of his life. Not only did Atticus show courage, Boo Radley did as well.
Atticus does a good job defending Tom Robinson because he wants to be a good example set for his kids. “If you had been on that Jury, son, and eleven other boys just like you, Tom would be a free man” (chp 23, pg 295). Here, Atticus is using logos, appealing to logic and reason. He is trying to show his kids the importance of tolerance. Had the jury been full of boys like Jem, who were tolerant, Robinson would be free.
Think back to when you were little kid around 7 or so and you had no worries about life or anything. All you would think about is candy and toys and nothing about the world of adults. No worries of the weather or what the grown ups would talk about. Scout’s childhood innocence takes a turn from her care free days to the real world of racism and bad people. In To Kill a Mockingbird Scout witnesses the trial of Tom Robinson and how racism is taught to her unknowingly from it.
Atticus could not live with himself if he failed to give his utmost effort in clearing the accused, Tom Robinson’s, name. The lawyer feels that he has to do it. The people of Maycomb are small minded and hypocritical, Atticus Finch is not. Nothing can be done to make the towns people hear the truth. Tom Robinson, would be a free man, living with his family, if it wasn’t for the people of Maycomb.
Atticus has a very strong argument that Tom Robinson was innocent and that he was actually a good person on the inside who would never hurt a fly. My other text I will be covering is the nest as there is a character in it named Paul and his friend Jimmy wants to go on a hike with Paul but Jimmy’s parents don’t want him to go on the hike as there is many bad rumors about him considering the fact that he was sent to reform school for doing one bad