Can one do something wrong and not feel guilty? “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy.” It is a sin to kill a mockingbird, why would one want to sin? To kill a mockingbird, Harper Lee. Scout and Jem are children of a passionate lawyer, Atticus Finch, they get exposed to what is right and wrong. All atticus wanted to do was show Maycomb and his children that a white man could defend a African American, for justice.
Everyone in town knew that Atticus was defending a nigger, most did not like it. While scout was in school Cecil Jacobs told the schoolyard that Scout Finch’s daddy defended niggers. “I’m simply defending a negro---his name’s Tom robinson. He lives in that little settlement beyond the town dump.” When Atticus told Scout that information it still was not enough information for her to understand why, was it so important for him to defend Tom Robinson. “If you shouldn’t be defendin’ him, then why are you doin’ it?” “The main one is, if i didn’t i couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t
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For instance, Mr.Underwood“He despises negroes, won’t have one near him.” ,but is still willing to defend atticus. Mr.Underwood would have made sure nothing happened to bad to Atticus. Mr.cunningham and Atticus were great friends until, Atticus started defending Tom Robinson. Mr.cunningham was in a mob with a group of people who were against Atticus. The mob tried to hurt Atticus to try to get to Tom. Atticus does not get upset about it, as he stated, “He might have hurt me a little, but son you’ll understand folks a little better when you get older.” Even though, Mr.Cunningham tried hurt Atticus, Atticus still told his children that, “Mr.Cunningham is a great friend he just has a few blind spots.” When Atticus decided that he was going to defend Tom Robinson, he knew it was not going to be easy. Atticus could find a way to turn a negative situation into a positive
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
The people of Maycomb are now finding out that Atticus will be defending Tom Robinson a black man in the town. The problem is that this town is set in their racist ways and racism is ubiquitous here. Threats and bad comments inundate in on their family. Scout gets terrorized at school for this. When the vociferous Cecil Jacobs yells, “Scout Finch’s daddy defends n******” (Lee 99).
(Lee 360). Luckily, a man by the name of Arthur Radley that had been isolated from Maycomb finally came out of hiding in his home and saved Scout and Jem. If Atticus had never take the case, this even would had never come, and his children wouldn’t have been in real danger. When Atticus took the case to defend Tom Robinson, he also made most of Maycomb look down upon him, and often he would be called n***** lover and Mrs. Dubose even told Jem and Scout ‘“our father’s no better than the niggers and the trash he works for’” (Lee 135).
Atticus’ meaning behind this is even though an extreme amount of adversity and misfortunes are ahead, he does not give up. This hardship for him is the Tom Robinson. Atticus uses an innuendo to explain to the children why he is taking this case. He teaches the children to power through tough and challenging scenarios, even though they know they are going to lose. Through his actions and speech, he gives the children a valuable lesson on the importance of facing
Atticus defended the black man in court. He told his two children, "I'm only protecting a negro, his name is Tom Robinson." (Lee 75) Standing up for Tom required a lot of confidence and care from Atticus, and the black community knew that Tom wouldn't have a chance without Atticus and his help. They respected him and looked up to him as a hero. They proved this by standing up for him in the courtroom.
He was convinced that Tom was in fact innocent, something that would be hard to admit during the time period. This is proof that Atticus’ heroics were really starting to make a difference. Of course, changes like decreased racial prejudice do not happen overnight, but that one person, or family, the Cunninghams, that changed their minds are the first step to bigger changes that would soon
To back up his claim Metress inputs Vanderbilt-eric's point in his article when he quotes “‘instead of Finch being a hero who stands in opposition…he sands in a opposition as a apologist”’(Lee), Mettress is absolutely right Atticus is someone who constantly over writes what people around are saying towards the black community in Maycomb, he defends their wicked beliefs even when they're ready to harm not only him, but his children. On page 210 of “To kill A Mockingbird '' Finch ashers his kids that Mr Cunningham’s “‘basically a good man he has his blind spots''’(Lee). Mr Cunningham is a man who is willing to hurt Atticus, a man who gave him work and money just to get to a black man who he doesn't even know is guilty or not. Atticus not only excused his bigoted neighbor but defended him as well. Atticus will go beyond and above to defend the attempted murders of Tom, Metress is absolutely right, all Atticus is nothing but a defender of his pathetic
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).
In the quote it demonstrates how Atticus has to simply explain to the Scout, you should never look at someone differently based on how much money they have. You should look at them for who they are. Some people are not as fortunate as others, it is not there fault, but like they Cunningham 's, they find a way. Atticus did not only open the kids eyes to how you should not judge someone, but also, to stand up for what you believe in, despite what others might say. When Atticus is presented with the Tom Robinson case, without much thought, he says yes to being his lawyer.
“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.
“Do each of you swear that you will fairly try the Case before this court, and that you will return a true verdict according to The evidence and the instructions of the court, so help you, God” (chp 17, pg, 231) Atticus Finch does an adequate job defending Tom Robinson. Mr. Finch does a good job defending Tom Robinson because he wanted to be a good example for his kids, the jurors were biased, and he knew Robinson was innocent.
In turn, this affects Atticus’ children, Scout and Jem, negatively. Because of Atticus’ choice to defend Tom Robinson the family and himself is put in harm 's way and harassed. Additionally, it damages the family’s and his reputation. The first reason it’s sensible for Atticus to not
For example, at home Scout is talking to Atticus, she worries they will lose the case. Atticus tells her, “No honey… Simply because we are licked a hundred years before we started is no reason to try to win” (Lee 101). Atticus must think if he can defend a black man, maybe others in the community might treat blacks better. For instance, Scout tells Atticus how Cecil Jacobs says he “defends niggers” Atticus replies, “Of course I do” (Lee 99).
Scouts dad, Atticus, is in charge of Toms case and since he is white, people think he should not be able to defend a black person. "If you shouldn't be defendin' him, then why are you doin' it? " (Lee,100), Scout is worried about her community's reaction of Atticus defending Tom. Atticus tells Scout that if he did or not defend Tom, then Jem and Scout would not have to mind him anymore. She thinks she understands what Atticus mean when he explains to her why he is defending Tom, but does not quite understand what's wrong with it or why people
At the jailhouse where Tom Robinson is being held, Atticus encounters a group of men who want to lynch Tom, “’He in there, Mr. Finch?’ a man said. ‘He is,’ we heard Atticus answer… ‘You know what we want,’ another man said. ‘Get aside from the door, Mr. Finch.’ ‘You can turn around and go home again, Walter,’ Atticus said pleasantly” (Lee 171-172).