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.
In Maycomb County, the Negroes are viewed as inferior, and in addition, the Jim Crow laws are enforced to ensure segregation. As a result, they do not have equal rights as the other citizens. When Atticus is asked to defend Tom Robinson, a Negro man accused of raping a white girl, he accepts. To the community this was improper. The community’s disgust at Atticus’ decision is expressed when Scout is irked by Cecil Jacobs, a boy in her class, when he announces that, “Scout Finch’s daddy defended niggers.” (p. 82). Perplexed by what he means, Scout asks Atticus, who explains that he is “simply defending a negro” (p. 83). When questioned by Scout why he is defending Tom, Atticus replies, “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 county in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again.” (p. 83). Furthermore, he states that this case is one he is affected personally by, and that even though he knew that they were not going to win, he agreed because, “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win.” (p. 84). This example reveals that even though Atticus knows he is going to lose, he wants to do everything in his power to give Tom the best chance in case justice prevails. Also, he was emotionally invested in this case, and he knew that his conscience would not allow him to do what was not right, regardless of others’ opinions. Heroes generally go against what is expected, stay true to their morals, and always persevere, no matter how dire the outcome is expected to be. These are the exact traits that Atticus exhibits by representing Tom, which is why he is a modern-day hero. Despite Atticus’ best efforts, and Tom’s apparent innocence, Tom is found guilty of rape. Atticus
Compassionate,dramatic,and deeply moving ,To Kill A Mockingbird takes readers to the roofs or human behavior.The unforgettable novel of a child in a sleepy,Southern town and the crisis of conscience that rocked it,To Kill A Mockingbird,by Harper Lee.In the book To Kill A Mockingbird readers learn how to take a stand,and most importantly the golden rule.Readers also learn many valuable things.In the book Atticus Finch takes a stand For Tom Robinson.Tom was charged for something he never did and was pleaded guilty.Atticus was being courageous and he possesses integrity for standing up for Tom.
"Courage is when you know you 're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what" According to Atticus Finch, an honest lawyer in Harper Lee 's novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" courage is not a man with a gun in his hand. "Real courage" is when you fight for what is right regardless of whether you win or lose. Atticus fits into this definition of what "real courage" is and demonstrates it several times throughout the novel.
Integrity is the quality of being sincere and having powerful high-minded principles. Integrity is shown in To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, a book that took place in Maycomb County, Alabama where racism was profoundly entrenched. Atticus Finch, a character in the book, is a lawyer who is assigned the case of Tom Robinson, an African-American, who was unjustifiably accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a white woman. Arthur “Boo” Radley, his neighbor, is a mysterious person in the beginning of the book but ends up revealing his kindness. His children, Scout and Jem Finch, are following their father’s word of wisdom and learning about integrity throughout their experiences on the way. The amount of integrity can dictate someone’s reputation.
Atticus Finch, a father and lawyer has two children he teaches valuable lessons to and gets different perspectives of the ways of the world from being a lawyer. Atticus is talking about Tom Robinson’s case and says “The one thing that doesn 't abide by majority rule is a person 's conscience”(105). Atticus thinks people should respect others and stay true to yourself even if the flow is going a completely different direction. Lee takes an adults point of view to give a thoughtful lesson to the younger generation who are finding their way in the world. As a lawyer Atticus also has an outlook from his courtroom dealings. Regarding Tom’s case and society as a whole, “ The one place where a man ought to get a square deal… in a courtroom… he any color….. people… carrying their resentments right into the jury box” says Atticus (220). The jury is not going to say Tom is not guilty and Atticus knows this, but he still think a man should get a fair deal no matter his skin color. Lee stresses the wrong doing in this courtroom, and makes Atticus’s point of view being on another level than his kids. Rather than develop a different outlook after the events, Atticus gets more evidence for why he sees the world
The novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a wonderful novel that contains an amazing character named Atticus Finch who treats everyone equally and breaks the social norms of racial separation in the 1930s. Scott Turow once promised to grow up and “try to do things as good and noble as what Atticus had done for Tom Robinson.” I agree with this statement because in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird I think Atticus had morals that were kind and compassionate, he never gave up, and he also stuck up for what he thought was right.
In the book, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch appears to be a well respected man in his town of Maycomb, but is he? He lost his court case for his client and shot a dog. So the question is, “Why is he so respected?”
In his closing statement, Atticus attempts to persuade the audience to come out with an innocent verdict for the defendant, Tom Robinson. Atticus opens his argument by simply stating that the verdict for the case should not be hard to come up with. He follows this by confidently telling the court that the testimonies of the prosecuting side have not produced quality evidence that would indicate that Tom is guilty. Finally, he closes his argument by criticizing the testimonies of both Mayella and Bob Ewell. Overall Atticus, tells the jury the verdict should not be difficult to come up with, says that there is insufficient evidence to prove Tom’s guilt, and criticizes the testimonies of Mayella and Tom Ewell.
Throughout life, numerous peoples and cultures have their version of the Golden Rule. The Golden Rule states “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Matthew 7:12). In Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, some characters choose to live by the Golden Rule, and others choose to contradict it. If one follows the Golden Rule, one would want others to have the same rights and receive equal treatment. The novel shows this through characters such as Atticus, who believed in an equality without skin color defining who you are.
Background: Tom Robinson is a black person who’s was accused of raping a white girl named Mayella Ewell which he has never done. For this reason, Atticus Finch was appointed to be his lawyer. As a result, Atticus takes a stand for him by approving his case and standing up for him, but Tom was still found guilty.
Injustice has been around for a long time, and will continue to be around if nobody does anything to stop or change it! Some people believe that injustice cannot be changed by just one person or group. Aunt Alexandra for example, says she loves and supports Atticus, but thinks he is crazy for trying to win the case. She does not think he would be able to convince a white jury that a black man is innocent. Others argue that one man or group can make a difference. Martin Luther King Jr. for example, started a peace movement to bring justice to African-Americans, and other racial groups, being served injustice. His movement still lives in today’s society, as injustice still thrives. It may seem difficult, but one person or group
In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is about a young white girl named Scout who has a brother Jem, and a father, Atticus. They live in Maycomb, Alabama where segregation and hatred is rampant. In the 1950’s blacks were treated horribly and the need for upstanders was crucial. Atticus and his family fill part of that need. Atticus Finch is an upstander in the town of Maycomb which is very rare. He fights for what is right and will do anything to make sure justice is served. Atticus being an upstander which shows through his actions impacts how he is treated and how he treats others. How he treats blacks and how he speaks to everyone shows his upstanding ways.
"Courage is when you know you 're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what" According to Atticus Finch, an honest lawyer in Harper Lee 's novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" courage is not a man with a gun in his hand. "Real courage" is when you fight for what is right regardless of whether you win or lose. Atticus fits into this definition of what "real courage" is and demonstrates it several times throughout the novel.
What makes a good father? It is someone who is a leader, someone who always wants what is best for you. Especially when times get rough. Over time parenting has changed and grown in many different ways. Authors tackle the ideal parent and different parenting actions and views. Harper Lee in, To Kill A Mockingbird shows many different types of parents. As a single father, character Atticus Finch stands out the most. He shows he is a good parent as he provides important life lessons to his children and others. He shows fairness to others and his kids especially. Lastly he shows that you should always stand up for others no matter what.