Atticus knows he will be criticized and hated for defending a black man but he puts all of that aside and stands up for what is
However, Atticus did not succumb to the town he defended Tom Robinson as best as he could: “I’m simply defending a Negro-his name’s, Tom Robinson” (Lee 75). Even while the whole town was opposed to Atticus defending this man he did what was right. He defended the man that everyone assumed was guilty because of their prejudice about his skin color. Atticus was bold through these times of hardship and continued forward through the adversity
Atticus shows courage by defending Tom Robinson in court and by going so far as to defend his life as he sleeps in a jail cell. Atticus’ motivation for all of this is his wanting for wanting his kids from “Catching Maycomb’s usual disease” (Lee 117) of prejudice and racism, seeing that if he doesn’t take this risk and give it everything he’s got, he can do nothing to keep his children from becoming like the rest of the town. Atticus’ devotion to keep his children with open-minds drives his courage to the point where he puts himself between a mob of Maycomb’s hateful racist folks and the man that he is
Atticus is appointed a case by Judge Taylor to defend a black man named Tom Robinson who has been accused of raping a white girl named Mayella Ewell. Because of the racism and prejudice against black people, he believes that he will not win this case and could risk the life of Tom Robinson. Because of this case, Scout gets bullied by Francis about how his dad is defending a black man, Atticus later talks to Scout about how “[Tom Robinson] lives in [a] settlement behind the town dump….there’s been some high talk around the town to the effect that I shouldn’t do much about defending this man” (Lee 86). Atticus knows that something bad can happen to him if he were to defend Tom Robinson but still does so because he has the courage to do it. After the trial had ended, Atticus was waiting for news but he did not expect something so terrible and heartbreaking, Tom Robinson, unfortunately, died after being shot several times.
Atticus showed his children that he was a brave man when he stepped into the street to face down a dangerous dog. Although he didn't believe that act was especially brave and he was completely not interested in proving anything to his children but Jem and Scout were proud of, and impressed by, his courage in such a dangerously unsteady situation. But shooting something wasn't really Atticus' idea of courage. He looked courage on a more thinking-related level, as a moral thing, not as something that can be proved with a weapon. During 1930s, white people were considered superior than black people and there was racism.
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.
As a result, Atticus left his payment for services anonymous. Secondly, Atticus’ willingness to defend Tom Robinson (a black man) who was alleged of rape a white one is another perfect example of empathy in the novel. Despite the fact that Atticus knew of the potential harm his contribution to Robinson's case, he was so willing to endure and help. He thus tells Scout that “I could not hold my head up if I did not help.” Similarly, Atticus demonstrate empathy when he was addressing his brothers about Robinsons issue and how Scout could take
“I want you to understand that courage isn’t a man with a gun in his hand,” (Lee 112). This is a quote spoken from a courageous man who put himself in other people’s positions and did not believe he was superior to African Americans like many in that time period. Atticus Finch is a lawyer, and also the father of Jem and Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The finches live in a small town called Maycomb during 1933, also known as the Great Depression era. Throughout the book, the town faces many racial discrimination issues, especially when an African American man named Tom Robinson is falsely accused of rape of a white female.
What separates a hero from any other ordinary person? A hero can benefit other people and has the features of a strong and bold person. Atticus Finch in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird not just has the features and characteristics of a hero but also demonstrates them. He does this whether it be through doing Maycomb’s dirty work or having a heroic job that he does in attempt to save the lives of innocent people.
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.
When people think about bravery, they tend to perceive it as confidence, determination, and selflessness. For example, the typical protagonist of a story, superman. While these people are indeed courageous, society tends to overlook acts of bravery within their community or of people around them. In To Kill A Mockingbird there are multiple acts of bravery performed that can also be overlooked by other characters in the novel or by readers.
Although he is appointed to defend Tom Robinson, Atticus does his best to prove Tom’s innocence, despite the ridicule imposed on him and his family. When Scout asks why Atticus is defending Tom he responds with, “For a number of reasons… The main one is, if I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this country in legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again” (Lee 100). This shows that Atticus has a strong sense of righteousness and will affirm to what is right.
Atticus takes on a case defending a black man, Tom Robinson, who was claimed to have raped a white girl, Mayella Ewell. The Finch family goes through a rough time dealing with many disapprovements from other people in Maycomb because
Courage is the ability to do something that frightens one. An ordeal or circumstance that can bring out this instantaneous bravery and audacity inside of someone. Courage can be defined by something everyone wishes to display. Not only is it an attribute of good character, but it's what makes us worthy of respect. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the main characters would not have been able to make it without having and acting upon courage.
Another thing is his advanced age often embarasses his children and when Atticus was asked to shoot a mad dog he did. Furthermore he hit the mad dog with his first shot despite a good distance away from it. Moreover, we learn that he once had the best shot in the country and we also learn that he never told Scout about it even though she probably would’ve liked to know. 27. According to Miss Maudie it is a sin to kill a mockingbird because they only make music for people to enjoy and they sing their hearts
