Abigayle Paul
Lisa Copeland
English II Honors
March 24, 2023
Justice
The meaning of the word justice can be interpreted in many ways. In the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, we learn about Atticus Finch and his understanding of justice. The novel follows his journey as a lawyer on trying to get justice for an innocent man who is not given a fair trial because of the color of his skin.
Throughout the Novel, Lee allows the reader to understand Atticus’ understanding of Justice in multiple ways, one being choice and goodwill. He considered certain things to be the right thing to do and morally right. Atticus states, “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
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He believed that despite your appearance you should be offered the same things as everyone else. Atticus states, “To begin with, this case should never have come to trial. This case is as simple as black and white” (205). Atticus sought out to find justice for Tom because he knew that the color of his skin played a major factor in why the case was not in his favor. This was against Atticus’ beliefs because he wanted everyone to be viewed equally and have the same opportunities for justice. Despite his beliefs, Atticus knew that the world wasn’t fair, and equality wasn’t always present. Atticus states, “In our courts, when it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s, the white man always wins. They’re ugly but those are the facts of life” (223). This went against his morals, but he knew it was the truth. He knew that despite his beliefs, reality was reality.
Disregarding the fact that Tom Robinson was charged as guilty, Atticus never lost hope in finding success within his case. Atticus states, “We’re not through yet. There’ll be an appeal, you can count on that” (216). Atticus was now committed to Tom Robinson’s case and was not going to stop until justice was served. Atticus states, “He’ll go to the chair, unless the governor commutes his sentence. Not time to worry yet, Scout. We’ve got a good chance” (222). With conversation about Tom losing the appeal, Atticus still has strong beliefs on winning
Many people treated African Americans unfairly, especially when they were accused of a crime. So Atticus took Tom Robinson case in his own hands, trying to save his life. He became an expert on Tom Robinson's background, his family life, and what kind of person Tom Robinson was. He demonstrates this expertise in his closing statement saying, “Tom Robinson now sits before you, having taken the oath with the only good hand he possess-his right hand. ”(273, Lee)
He shows, through defending Tom, that he believes he might have a chance of winning the court case. Scout says that, “Atticus assured us that nothing would happen to Tom Robinson until the higher court reviewed his case“ (Lee 219). This shows that Atticus believes he has a chance in court showing us his innocence. However, Atticus is still exposed to the depths of racism. He is teased, tantalized, and bullied for defending Tom.
The book To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, is a fictional book that covers the roots and consequences of racism and prejudice. The book introduces a character, Atticus Finch, as an intelligent and diligent lawyer who works in a trial to defend a black man, who is introduced as Tom Robinson. Once Atticus was selected for the trial, he experienced numerous setbacks during the process. Atticus has the difficult duty of defending Tom in a legal system tainted by prejudice and hostility. Despite the overwhelming odds stacked against him, Atticus stubbornly upholds his beliefs and refuses to be persuaded by the rampant unfairness all around him.
From the late 1870s through the mid-1960s, Jim Crow laws affected many African Americans. With these laws, blacks were given very limited rights and were often victims of unfair judgment. In Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch, a highly educated lawyer, gets a case where he needs to defend a black man named Tom Robinson. Atticus faces many challenges, including judgment from the white community in his town and questions from his kids about the trial. Atticus demonstrates moral integrity, bravery, and empathy in response to conflict, which connects to the idea that one should achieve social justice by following morals, taking a stand when no one else will, and understanding other people’s perspectives.
Atticus most effectively uses emotionally charged language while being respectful in his final remarks to elicit emotions and sympathy to strengthen his facts to bring justice to Tom Robinson. Atticus identifies Tom’s human characteristics to garner sympathy from the jury. Throughout his final remarks on the case he uses certain words to make the audience see Tom as a human worthy of respect and justice. Here, Atticus provides the evidence where the court and jury have prejudice towards Tom.
As said by Atticus,” I don’t know but they did it tonight and they’ll do it again and when they do it-seems that only children weep.” (213). Because Tom is judged guilty Atticus believes that the justice system is sometimes unfair and unethical, to colored people and it may continue that way for a long time.
He did this despite knowing everyone would dislike him honestly defending Tom in the trial. Atticus defies the social order in Maycomb and defends what is right. Atticus believes that all people are equal, despite race, gender, or age, in contrast to most
He is a kind man that doesn’t believe in using violence and believes that everyone should be treated equally. That is another reason why he chose to defend Tom Robinson. Atticus thought that Tom deserved a fair trial, and even though he knew that they probably weren’t going to win the case, he wanted to try for the sake of Tom and his family. “‘If you shouldn’t be defendin’ him, then why are you doin’ it?’ ‘For a number of reasons,’ said Atticus.
One of the most recognizable forms of social justice is the character of Atticus Finch in the 1930’s setting of the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. In To KIll a Mockingbird, the author, Harper Lee’s ideas on social justice are revealed through detailed representations of wisdom, loyalty, and selflessness
We also see throughout the book how he always does his best to teach this to his children. Atticus is the same person no matter where he is (at home or in the courtroom) and no matter who he is dealing with. He treats everyone with a high level of respect no matter who they are, what race they are, or what beliefs they have. He also is a very modest man. He never brags about his skills or intelligence, or uses them to show off.
When the reader is first introduced to Tom Robinson we learn that he has been accused of forcing himself on a woman. It seems that he has accepted the situation that he is in, he understands that his fate is held in his lawyer's hands. Atticus is scout's father and a well-known and dependable lawyer in their small town of Maycomb. Tom Robinson is given a trial and Atticus tries his best to defend him but unfortunately, the jury decided that Rom Robinson is guilty despite very convincing evidence that proves he is not guilty when the jailers were talking tom away Atticus tells him that"It's not time to worry yet," and reassures him that "We're not through yet. There'll be an appeal, you can count on that.
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.
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).
He chose to put himself at risk alongside his children to prove Tom Robinson’s innocence and to bring him justice. He taught his children that life involves making difficult decisions. He did not cower in the face of trouble and he held his head high in the community. This lesson became evident throughout the trial and his children learned to respect all people and that doing the right thing is never easy but it is more important than hiding behind closed doors while innocent people suffer. Atticus made a stand, and his children followed in his footsteps.
Atticus knows that this case is going to be difficult to defend because Tom is black. During the Great Depression, white people viewed black people as worthless and futile. On the contrary, Atticus believed that all men should be treated equally no matter their race. He knew it was the moral thing to do even if it means “‘a Finch [going] against his raising’” to ensure that Tom gets an equal opportunity as a white man (55).