Atticus Drawbacks In To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel written by Harper Lee. It is a story that tells of two children, Jem and Scout, growing up in the times of discrimination, depression, and racism. All throughout the novel, Scout tells about her father Atticus Finch, an attorney, defending a black man accused of raping a white woman. The semi-autobiographical novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee uses the characterization of Atticus to show equality and reveals that no one should judge people without knowing their story.

I believe that Atticus did the proper thing by defending Tom Robinson during the trial. Though it was controversial throughout Maycomb County, he served as an exceptional example for his children by accepting the case and genuinely defending a black man. There were many downsides when Atticus agreed to take the case appointed to him. Initially, his reputation and social status took a blow from this incident. This lead to backlash and insults from people across the community. The Finchs' had one of the highest social statuses in the town, for Atticus had a suitable job with a reputable name. (Lee PAGE) When word about this incident spread, many people disapproved. This was evident when many of Scout's classmates taunted her about her father being "a nigger lover", which they unmistakably picked up from their parents. (Lee PAGE) Atticus' family members were not too pleased with this decision as well. In the text, Francis repeats what his grandmother said, saying "[Atticus] ruinin‘ the family, that’s what he’s doin’". (Lee PAGE) Additionally, Mrs. Dubose had several degrading comments to say about the

“Go by Dill’s and get your pants, Jem. Settle it yourselves” (73). Even though Jem was doing something that he shouldn’t have been doing, all Atticus says is to “Settle it yourselves”. He doesn’t provide his children with enough information and knowledge for them to grow up successfully. His lack in providing consequences for their actions causes the children to behave improperly.

‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ is a novel written by Harper Lee. It is set during the early 20th Century in the fictional town of Maycomb. Lee has decided to write the novel from a child’s point of view because a child is innocent but as the novel progresses the narrator, Scout, loses her innocence as she deals with the complications of her father being a lawyer. The novel revolves around racism and Scout sees discrimination wherever she goes whether it is racial or social prejudice. The town’s people agree with the idea that whites are superior to blacks. An example of this is when Atticus, Scout’s father, has to defend a black man who is accused of raping Bob Ewell’s daughter.

To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee is a beautiful story depicting a family living in the South of the 1930’s, and their struggle against the prejudice which was common to that time. The book centers on Atticus Finch, the father of the family as well as a lawyer, and his fight against prejudice. We see the story unfold through the innocent eyes of his young daughter, Scout, who is free from prejudice and not yet jaded. By viewing events as Scout sees them, the author shows us how to overcome prejudices, and gain tolerance.

He had announced in the schoolyard that Scout Finch’s daddy defended niggers. I denied it, but I told Jem” The Jim Crow Laws have unwritten laws that says that black people are always wrong when convicted.Even children who are in 1st grade understand that the Jim Crow Laws doesn’t affect them and that black people are not human.Atticus, being the intelligent man he is, tries to persuade the juries to show that Tom Robinson is not guilty.“The only thing we’ve got is a black man’s word against the Ewells’. The evidence boils down to you-did--I-didn’t. The jury couldn’t possibly be expected to take Tom Robinson’s word against the Ewells”Even though Tom Robinson is a good man, the Ewells are still white and Tom is still African American. The unwritten Jim Crow Law always brought the black man is guilty of anything he did when convicted.Atticus becomes an influential person to the black community for helping out a black man while he himself is white. Even without the Jim Crow Laws problems would be the

Atticus still was Jem and Scout’s father. Atticus tended Jem and Scout’s needs. Most of the time Atticus was answering Jem and Scout’s question about why things happened during the trial. Before Atticus already settled down and returned to his normal attitude, Atticus appeared to be depressed and sad. Even though Atticus denies the fact that he is a little bitter, everyone around Atticus knows that Atticus took a hit to the heart, “I’m not bitter, just tired. I’m going to bed.” (Atticus 285). As more days passed after the trial, Atticus started to go back to his original self. However, when Atticus learned of Tom Robinson’s death, Atticus went back to his bitter self. “His hand was in his hand, and his face was white.” (Scout 314). Atticus being bitter and depressed shows that he alone is taking the burden and blame of losing Tom Robinson. Atticus truly believes that it is his fault he got Tom killed. One New Republic respondent, Laura Marsh, blames the way Atticus decided to try and defend Tom, “His defense of Tom relies instead on convincing them that he, Atticus, is honorable. By playing to white prejudices in a system that consistently benefits whites, his strategy does nothing to ‘disturb America’s racial caste system.’” (New Republic Book Review). I disagree because Atticus and everyone in the US in the 1930s knew it was really hard and difficult to change racial barriers in America. This one

Atticus Finch is a small time, ethically correct lawyer. He is the father of Scout and the defense lawyer for Tom Robinson. Despite extreme odds, Atticus still tried to defend his client. The anonymous jury was, however, racist, as is evidenced by their decision against a probably innocent defendant. Atticus is persistent in that he wouldn’t give up on the Tom Robinson case, despite being

The book “To kill a mockingbird” By Harper Lee is about a man by the name of Atticus Finch who is defending Tom Robinson. Tom was accused of raping a white woman. This book is also about a man whose reputation is being a monster and a malevolent phantom. Scout, Jem and Dill call him a ghost since he never leaves his house. A mockingbird is a person who is innocent but people see them as something else.

Atticus hates doing his job. After finding out that Tom Robinson died, “Mr. Ewell said it made one down and about two more to go”(276). This shows that Mr. Ewell even intended to go to the extreme measures of harming Atticus' family members, simply because Atticus defended his client. Mr. Ewell didn't care about any amount of stress Atticus may have been going through and only cared about the color of Tom's skin. In addition, Atticus’ family members said harsh things about him.

To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, is about a young girl, who goes by Scout, is with her older brother and father. This story takes place in the times of racial prejudice and she experiences how her father, who is a lawyer, defends an African American man who is accused of sexually assaulting a white girl. Through this novel, she experiences, how black people are treated and thought about in the 1960’s. When she experiences these events, she also learns how people that support African American rights are treated by other whites. One of the instances where she experiences the point of view of an African American is during the trial of Tom Robinson. She also has a coming of age moment to see the true side of how people of different races are

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee has become a mainstay in American high-schools. This is a classic novel that has inspired many people of all ages. It had a big impact on how people viewed and treated each other. This is a story that teaches everyone about the value of honesty, love, friendship and trust. Every word written in this book has a truly deep meaning to it. The time period that the book was written in was during the Great Depression in the 1930’s. This setting was in a small town in Maycomb, Alabama with people who did not get along. During this time there was a lot of segregation within America and different races. To Kill a Mockingbird is about a family who believes in doing the right thing and being honest. There was a

The well-known history novel To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper lee takes place in Maycomb County during the great depression. In this town, the main characters’ father, Atticus Finch, is tasked to defend a black man named Tom Robinson in a race-induced rape trial. Many themes in this novel were represented, however a few minor points stood out. A major point that stood out was the development of the main character Scout and her brother Jem. Also racism and evil contrasted to good and compassion are very evident throughout this novel.

“‘...This case, Tom Robinson’s case, is something that goes to the essence of a man’s conscience…’” (Lee 139). Atticus always makes it a point to explain what’s happening in the world when Jem and Scout don’t understand. The knowledge that Atticus provides his children is the foundation to their morals. In accepting this case to defend Tom Robinson Atticus is teaching his kids that even though Tom is a colored man he’s still someone worth remembering. Someone who if Atticus doesn’t defend him, and at least try to prove to the world he’s innocent, it will make Atticus no better than people like the Ewells, who were the ones that managed to get the Finch family into this dubious event in the first place. This is related to the sin of killing a mockingbird

In the 1930’s Alabama was the most prominent state in America for racism. The novel To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee takes place in the 1930’s in Maycomb Alabama. The main characters are Scout, Jem and their father Atticus Finch, as well as a man named Tom Robinson. The novel is about Tom Robinson being accused of raping Mayella Ewell. Atticus is Tom’s attorney in court and tries to prove to Judge Taylor that Tom is innocent and tries to protect Tom’s life from the crime he never committed. Throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee reveals what the consequences are when there is racism in a society.