Atticus Finch's Path

In every man's life there is a fork in the road. It's that moment when he has to choose a path. Each path is difficult but often times the right path is even more so. Harper Lee's novel To Kill A Mockingbird is the telling of Atticus Finch's moment. The novel has been majorly popular since its publishing in 1960. Jean Louise Finch "Scout" recalls her past memories as a six year old. Set in the town of Maycomb, Alabama during the Great Depression, the novel is based on her father Atticus as he is defending a black man by the name of Tom Robinson, accused of raping a white woman. “As you grow older, you'll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don't you forget it—whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash." Says Atticus. Harper Lee’s novel, chapter 23.

And it is sad to think people couldn't stop themselves from accusing Tom Robinson who was honest and clear with his story, due to the color of his skin. And there is part of the symbolism in the story, the title itself. Atticus told Scout and her brother Jem one day, "Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." Mockingbirds are harmless, innocent creatures, and killing them would be wrong, because they don't hurt anyone. The same could be said for Tom Robinson. He was innocent and killing him would serve no