Internal Conflict In To Kill A Mockingbird

To the hard-working, dedicated, and loving, Tom, to perpetrate such a crime against a lady, seemed unthinkable. Yet, because MayElla dissembled both his character and the facts, he found himself desperately needing Atticus’s help to prove his innocence of this terrible

Mr. Atticus Finch has been proven multiple times in the story that he is a good hearted gentleman that only wishes to do the right thing. One instance is just the simple fact that he defended Tom Robinson to his best ability when the whole caucasian community in Maycomb County wanted him locked up for his alleged raping of Mayella Ewell. "You aren 't really a nigger-lover, then, are you?" "I certainly am.

Even though Tom Robinson was not guilty and Atticus had strongly proven him as an innocent who was falsely accused of rape, but because discrimination was a factor in the final judgement, the consequences in society’s prejudice consequently led to the suffering of innocent individuals like Tom Robinson who received discriminatory treatment and trial due to their race. Descriptions of southern beliefs during the time period throughout the book develop and clarify the major theme of the

Atticus and Juror 8 did what they believed was right even when society tried to shut them down. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus stood up for what he believed was right even if he was the only white man in the court fighting for a black man's life. Atticus said, "I'm no idealist to believe firmly in the integrity of our courts and in the jury system—that is no ideal to me, it is a living, working reality. Gentlemen, a court is no better than each man of you sitting before me on this jury. A court is only as sound as its jury, and a jury is only as sound as the men who make it up.

When defending a black man in court, Atticus says, “You know the truth, and the truth is this: some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around women-black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men” (273). This public defense of minorities is not a seldom action for Atticus. He takes his community members and even his own family mistreating him for defending a black man on nearly a daily basis, but still does it. Due to the fact he is a modern hero, all modern heroes should exhibit this.

“He also is willing to stand up against the odds-he knows he’s ‘licked’ before he even begins” (Text 2). Atticus knows he will not be able to win this case even if Tom Robinson is innocent. Unfortunately the town and the jury are corrupt and will not give Tom a fair trial. Almost anyone can see that Atticus Finch defends Tom Robinson to show compassion through the “Golden Rule” and set an example for his children.

Tom Robinson was a black man convicted of rape at a time when the Jim Crow laws were at their most potent, thus there was a large power divide between the white population and the black one. Since the jury was composed of all white men the odds facing Atticus’s success in this case where astronomical. However, Atticus chooses to take the case. In taking the case alone Atticus demonstrates great social courage, for social courage is when you persevere to the end of a task despite social adversity and pushback. This pushback is shown by multiple instances in which Jem and Scout are made fun of for their father is a “n****r lover”.

Although they are white, their poverty and bad reputation made their social status just a step above the black people. Bob Ewell is alcoholic and abusive, but he still wants to improve his family’s situation as a father. However, the fact that "he was the only man ever heard of who was fired from the WPA for laziness" (Lee 78) proves that he isn 't willing to earn it. But in accusing Tom Robinson, he finds what he believes is a brass ring. From his perspective, the town should think him as a hero for saving Maycomb 's white women from a ‘dangerous’ black man.

and Atticus are examples of courage in To Kill a Mockingbird, demonstrated by their benevolent acts of kindness and equality, and how they didn’t let what the status quo at the time dictate their opinions. In the beginning, Walter Cunningham did conform to racist beliefs of the town and ignored the evidence that proved Tom's innocence, but he realizes he is wrong, and preaches that Tom be acquitted while he sits on the jury. Atticus is one of the people to sway Walter Cunningham to believe in equality. Atticus convinces him, and other people, to believe in the evidence that all proved Tom's innocence, and through him and Walter a small racist town begins to change little by little. The movement of equality has been going on since before the civil war in the 1860s, today, people would like to say we are equal, but with court cases like Trayvon Martin attracting so much controversy, it shows that society still has a long way to

Now, in this time frame it was general knowledge that blacks were inferior to the white “race” and the rights they enjoyed were little to none, so the fact that Tom was given a life sentence is not surprising. However, that does not make it principled! Commonality cannot be classified as morality, especially when in the debate of a human life. Although Tom stood as the mockingbird in the face of hundreds of flying stones, it was not only him. Tom stood as the mockingbird and was a portrayal of each and every one of the black people.

Lastly, Atticus Finch, possibly the most important symbolic character, represents justice throughout the whole novel. Atticus practices and teaches his children to be morally correct and to do what is right. Going against what the majority of the residents, Atticus hopes for justice and tries to do what seems impossible in Maycomb—prove a black man innocent based solely on the word of a white family. Although the case doesn’t conclude in Tom’s favor and Atticus doesn’t get the just verdict he wanted, Robinson is eventually avenged by another mistreated member of Maycomb—Boo Radley.

Tom Robinson, for example, is proved guilty in his trial for being accused of raping Mayella Ewell just because he is a black man, even though the evidence clearly shows that he is innocent. In Atticus’s closing summation, he says, “You know the truth, and the truth is this: some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around women—black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men. (204)” This quote is saying that black men themselves are not a problem, but that it is the whole human race that should not be trusted.

Harper Lee’s book, “To Kill A Mockingbird” portrays Scout (Jean Louis) Finch as a tomboy who prefers attacking opponents, over using her mental acumen. However, several instances in the book show her gradually flourishing into a mature young lady. Scout displays acts of courage and empathy as will be delineated in this essay. It is said that courage is the ability to do something that frightens one.

People are influenced by the ones around them; these people can have positive or negative influences. Mentors are role models for you look up to and learn from. The only way for mentors to have a positive influence is if they are heard. Listening is the key. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee creates mentors for Scout to show listening to the advice of those before you can lead to strong morals and an understanding of others.

Lee’s statement about the justice system in America takes center stage for a majority of the novel, and is most powerfully communicated through Scout’s disappointment and confusion about the relations and events of the courtroom. She is particularly affected by Tom Robinson’s case because her father is the defense lawyer. Atticus struggles to justly defend Robinson without jeopardizing his reputation in Maycomb County, and damaging his relationships with his neighbors. He has many connections with people in positions of power, and people who have influence in his children’s lives. He does not want to endanger them or their future, but he also does not want to send an innocent man to prison.