In To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the passage I analyzed was a short conversation between Atticus and Jack. This conversation is taking place just days before the controversial trial of Atticus defending a black man accused of rapeing a white woman. Knowing this trial is going to end in an unfortunate verdict, Jack is making sure Atticus wants to follow through with the trial. This passage highlights an important character in the book: Atticus.
One word that helps shed light on Atticus’s character is reasonable. In the book To Kill A Mockingbird Atticus and this word first coincide when it is described that Atticus hopes for a reasonable chance on appeal on his upcoming trial. The exact context of his hopes are expressed when Atticus is talking to uncle Jack about the upcoming controversial trial. Jack is making sure Atticus wants to go through with it even with the unfair verdict already looming over them. Atticus stays with his decision and confirms with
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In the novel Atticus hopes to jar the jury the context of this phrase is when in the story Atticus and Jack are talking before the trial. Atticus is like an activist in the sense that the opinion they hold is shocking and or unsettling to others. Atticus shows characters of an activist in the fact that his opinions are unpopular but he stays true to them. Atticus’s openness to defending Tom shows he stays strong to his beliefs. Atticus also doesn't like other people spouting awful things bring him down. Atticus is also like an activist in because he shows that you shouldn't be scared to stand up for what you believe in. This shows the close relationship that Atticus and Tom. It shows that despite the county’s thoughts on Atticus defending Tom, but Atticus follows through with his defense. Atticus does that because he knows it’s right, which is similar to an activist in the way that they both keep committing jarring acts because they know it’s
Atticus knows justice will be upheld by defending Tom. He knows that if he did not defend Tom, he would no longer maintain self-respect since he knows a man’s life is at stake. This characterization shows how Atticus follows the morally right thing, compared to the socially right thing. He displays empathy by acknowledging the fact that he will be judged, but chooses to defend Tom anyway because he would rather follow what is right than be socially accepted. Additionally, Atticus
He believes in doing what is right, and following his core principles. I feel drawn to this because I relate to the same core principles of Atticus, that no matter the color of your skin or the path you choose in life you should always be treated equal. In chapter 9, Atticus shows me intent to follow his principles by agreeing to defend Tom Robinson in court. Understanding the consequences that would follow, he asks Scout not to fight Cecil over words said at school (85).
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.
Despite racial inequalities in the South, Atticus sticks to his own morals and agrees to be the defending lawyer for Tom Robinson, a black man being accused of raping a white woman. Although Atticus’ defense in court was thorough and clearly proved Tom’s innocence, the jury was prejudiced towards black folks and convicted Tom as guilty. Nonetheless, Atticus is still a hero despite losing the case. He has the courage to stand up for what he believes in, fights with reason rather than guns, and has utmost determination, making him a hero despite being just an average human being. Ultimately, his thoughts and actions set the stage for major changes in the meaning of equality throughout Maycomb County, changing lives of numerous people.
Atticus is also a very selfless person. Atticus made sure tom was going to be okay by staying at the jail with him. “Atticus was sitting propped against the front door.”(Lee 201). It shows that Atticus would sacrifice his time to make sure that Tom Robinson would be okay. Atticus also doesn 't like guns and would not shoot one unless he had to.
He uses this by saying “ there is not a person in this courtroom who has never told a lie =, who has never done an immoral thing, and there is no man living who has never looked upon a woman without desire.” By saying this Atticus is forcing the jury to feel compassionate because they realize their own fault. Atticus also says “All men are created equal, a phrase that the Yankees and the distaff side of the Executive branch in Washington are fond of hurling at us.” When Atticus says this it reminds the jury to have compassion because all men are created equal. Even the black
With pathos, an emotional argument, Atticus’ speech becomes powerful enough to have the audience feel a sense of guilt of Mayella and pity for Tom Robinson. Atticus’ beginning part of his speech tells the courthouse audience to understand the true purpose of this case, which eventually leads up to the morals of Tom and the courthouse. “The defendant is not guilty, but somebody in this courtroom is.” (271) Atticus is pointing out that Tom Robinson is not guilty, but someone else is. This hits the emotions of the audience because it is insinuating that Bob Ewell could be the one who abused Mayella.
Atticus is an idealist and knows what is right and what is wrong. Atticus shows the importance of compassion and doing the right thing. “Atticus insists the truth about what occured at the Ewell house will be heard in court. This further illustrates his integrity” (Text
Atticus is a single father and lawyer who is very open-minded and caring. He shows and teaches empathy in many different ways throughout the novel. One example of his extraordinary sympathy towards people is when he takes on the case of Tom Robinson. Tom being framed for rape causes Atticus to be frustrated with his society. If he wouldn’t take on the case he would disappoint the town, his children, and himself.
Atticus is a man of great courage, he will fight for what he thinks is right no matter the risk, this is represented in a quote stating “You never really really understand a person until you see his point of view”. He is a man of tremendous passion, and he is able to see the good in people even when they are not at their best as he does with his client Tom Robinson. He is a man of humility and he will admit when he is wrong. Throughout the story “To Kill a Mockingbird” Atticus is faced with the difficult task of defending a black man named Tom Robinson in court.
In Atticus’ closing argument, the prejudice against Tom Robinson is that he is black, and that any crime that he commits thus must be true, “ the evil assumption - that all Negroes lie, that all Negroes are basically immoral beings…” (Lee).This affects the possibility of Atticus proving Robinson not guilty because of the prejudice that everyone in the courtroom has against him. The case is revolving around that Tom Robinson is accused of beating and raping Mayella Ewell, the counterargument that Atticus presents shows that Mayella was beaten with the left hand, but Tom Robinson is only capable of using his right hand because his left hand was caught in a cotton gin completely disabling it. Atticus incorporates the use of both logical and emotional appeals in his speech to convince the courtroom that Robinson is not a guilty man. Atticus shoots all the evidence he has at the courtroom and tells them, “In the name of God, do your duty,” (Lee).
The person speaking is Atticus because he is giving his final statement in his trial with Tom Robinson,”’She was white, and she tempted a Negro. She did something that in our society is unspeakable: she kissed a black man. Not an old Uncle, but a strong young negro man. No code mattered to her before she broke it, but it came crashing down on her afterwards.’” (272)
To Kill a Mockingbird Essay: Comparing Atticus Finch and Bob Ewell In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, there are many events that affect the town and people of Maycomb Country, Alabama. Taking place during the Great Depression, things happened a lot differently than they would have happened today and affected the people differently than they would today. Atticus gaining the job to defend Tom Robison made a lot of chaos in this little town leading to threats, attacks, and even deaths.
Why did Atticus defend a black man? Justice and being given the chance of a fair trial. Atticus Finch believed that everyone, black or white should be given the chance, to be proven not guilty. Even though some people thought Atticus was wrong in defending Tom Robinson, Atticus knew it was right to defend Tom because he knew everyone deserved a fair trial.
He stands up for what he believes in even if that means ruining himself or possibly putting those around him into danger. Atticus Finch is a very determined, earnest, and ambitious