Nevertheless, Atticus knows that Tom is innocent and that he must fight for him, since no one else will. Atticus 's strong sense of morality and justice motivates him to defend Tom with vigor and determination, giving it all he 's got with one mission in mind. He wants the people of
This all ties in with what Atticus told Scout,“Remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” That was the only time I ever heard Atticus say it was a sin to do something, and I asked Miss Maudie about it. “Your father’s right,” she said. “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy . . .
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. The reason why Atticus defended a black man and did what most everyone would never think of doing is because of justice and civilly going against the norm.
He shows compassion by taking on an impossible case and by acting friendly towards people that show hate to him. After the trial ended and Tom was found guilty, the black community of Maycomb brought food to Atticus ' doorstep and Calpurnia said: "they ‘preciate what you did." (Lee 213) Atticus tried his hardest to save Tom Robinson but the prejudices of the jury overpowered his argument. He showed compassion by putting the best case together that he could, even though the white community were shaming him for helping a person of color. Not only did Atticus show compassion towards friends, he also showed compassion to his enemy and their family.
Atticus taught me many things about being courageous. For example, he knew he probably wasn’t going to win the Tom Robinson case yet he still gave it his all which showed his loyalty towards Tom. His children learned something from a great man like what color you are doesn’t define who you truly are inside. Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird.
This pushback is shown by multiple instances in which Jem and Scout are made fun of for their father is a “n****r lover”. Secondly, Atticus knows he is going to lose the case for he knows that the moral character of Maycomb is not high enough to be able to see true innocence on account of evidence. This realization did not deter him, for he believed that “the one place a man should get a square deal is in a courtroom” (295). Thus he delivered on behalf of his morals and completed the case. This again shows moral courage, for Atticus knew that he if he forfeited his defense of Tom Robinson the ridicule would stop.
The people of Maycomb may have never been the fairest to him, but he would always be kind in return and rose above the negativity. Mrs. Dubose was an old woman who would criticize Atticus and his children any chance she got. But Atticus always warned the kids to not talk back, just let her say what she needs to and walk away. He said she was an old woman going through a lot of pain and is one of the bravest people he knows. Strangely enough, Atticus was also able to see the good in Mayella Ewell, and it tore him apart having to destroy her testimony on the stand.
The “mockingbirds” in this book, are innocent people who have a pure heart. During the story, Atticus teaches his children the mockingbird lesson. “Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it 's a sin to kill a mockingbird." The essence of the mockingbird lesson is that you should not act offensively towards people that have never done any little thing to harm you. Atticus himself can be considered as a mockingbird because he sees the best from a person and a hope for human
Tom Robinson did nothing wrong, and he needed a strong lawyer such as Atticus to prove that. Along with wanting people to see his true innocence, Tom also wanted to return to his family. Loving wife and children anxiously awaited at home, hoping, praying, and believing that Tom would come home. By himself, Tom could not reunite his family, he needed Atticus’s help. Not only did he not commit the wrongful act people accused him of, he never acted wrongfully or illegally.
“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. Atticus is an idealist and knows what is right and what is wrong.