The Tom Robinson rape trial is about to turn Maycomb upside down---will it all be worth it in the end? In the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus Finch is faced with a choice: whether or not he will defend a black man in a rape trial. Atticus Finch should not represent Tom Robinson because he is ruining his good reputation and his poor children are being harassed. Atticus is ruining his reputation by defending Tom Robinson. “He liked Maycomb, he was Maycomb County born and bred; he knew his people, they knew him . . .” (Lee, 6). Scout describes Atticus’ attitude towards the town he has grown up in; this description emphasizes how well known and highly thought of Atticus Finch was before deciding to defend Tom Robinson. It is made very apparent …show more content…
Everywhere the Finch children go, they are met with sharp criticism. This could’ve been easily avoided if Atticus had simply thrown the case or not taken it at all. At school, Scout’s peers---especially Cecil Jacobs--- target her and her brother as a result of her father’s poor judgement. Cecil torments Scout in the schoolyard, and calls her father racial slurs. This provokes Scout, and causes her to act out and become violent. The harassment is relentless, and doesn’t stop after the school bell rings at the end of the day. Simply walking down the sidewalk becomes a burdensome task. “Your father’s no better than the ni**ers and trash he works for!” (Lee, 135). This quote from Mrs. Dubose is a prime example of the harassment the children receive due to the backlash from the trial. When they walk into town, they hear whispers (mainly from old farmers) about their father and the case. Scout and Jem can’t even peacefully attend their own family Christmas without hearing about the case. “Now he’s turned out to be a ni**er-lover we’ll never be able to walk the streets of Maycomb again. He’s ruinin’ the family name, that’s what he’s doing” (Lee, 110). This statement from Francis describes how the family feels about the decision, and emphasizes how Scout can’t even spend Christmas free from the stress of her father’s case. It may be true that Atticus Finch is making a statement within his community, but his
Atticus finch ,the best lawyer in Maycomb county, was sitting nervously in his chair as he waited for the town judge to arrive in court. Tim Robinson, atticus client, was sitting right next to Atticus.About, an hour the judge came into the courtroom and was ready to go. When they called Robinson to the stand, he tried to persuade the judge that she forced herself on him. But, the judge was not taking his word for it ,and charged him with rape.
After Atticus won the court case, the family celebrated his victory. Local newspapers, such as the Maycomb Tribune, are ecstatic about Atticus winning his court case and defeating the fact that he was defending a black man. After the case, Tom was released from custody and went to his family, who was overjoyed that he made it out and that he could now provide for the family. Link was more than happy to give Tom his job back, as he had said Tom was always a good worker. Atticus was always relaxed at home. He was looking like he would win a spot in the state legislature again. Jem and Scout went to the pageant. Scout was the ham. She was a hit in the pageant and Mrs. Merriweather came to her afterwards, expressing her joy to Scout for being a
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
Atticus tackles a situation that many would avoid. Defending an African American man during the time of segregation. Although he is very much aware of this fact, Atticus still takes on the challenge. “Scout, you aren’t old enough to understand some things yet, but there’s been some high talk around town to the effect that I shouldn’t do much about defending this man.” (86). Atticus states this fact to scout so that he may understand that Atticus is practically defending Tom against the whole town. Although he’s outnumbered by townspeople, Atticus courageously still decides to defend Tom Robertson; even in the face of uncertain failure.
In the novel, it states “ Scout you aren't old enough to understand some things yet, but there been some high talk around town to the effect that I shouldn't do much about defending this man”(Lee,100). Atticus discusses to Scout that many people in Maycomb County now, despise him for taking Tom robinson's case. “Harper Lee's effective use of racial symbolism can be seen by studying various examples from the book this includes the actions of the children, the racist whites, and the actions of Atticus Finch” (Hunter). The actions of Atticus finch helped Tom Robinson but Atticus Finch was hated and despised for
Atticus is a mockingbird for the Maycomb society. He has the correct attitude towards different races. In Tom Robinson’s case, he provides strong arguments Tom’s accusation and proves that Tom Robinson did not rape and harm Mayella Ewell. Even though Atticus failed to restore Tom back to Tom’s family due to racial discrimination existed commonly in Maycomb in 1930s, Atticus leads the society to take the first small step in the right direction in the battle against racial discrimination, according to the quote stated by Miss Maudie, “Atticus Finch won’t win, he can’t
Undoubtedly, one of the most controversial subjects in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, would be whether or not Atticus Finch should have defended Tom Robinson. However, in order to understand this controversy, a person must first be able to understand Atticus Finch himself. Atticus as a character is a very intellectual person who possesses the fortitude to stand up for whatever he believes is right and will not let other people’s choices affect his own. Furthermore, it is also important to understand that Atticus is not a racist, nor does he approve of the idea that one group of people are better than another based on their appearances in general, and because of this, a person can generalize that Atticus’s characteristic traits are why he did not complain when given the task of defending a black man, Tom Robinson, who had been wrongfully accused of raping a white woman. A man that he, as well as a small group of other people from town, viewed as the picture of innocence. In their eyes, Tom was no more than a mockingbird, “[and mockingbirds] don’t do one thing but make music for [people] to enjoy” (Lee 119). Knowing this, anyone with a reasonably strong sense of what is right and what is wrong can conclude that it does make sense for Atticus Finch to have taken the case due to his belief that it is a sin to kill the innocent as well as his courage that allows him to stay true to his ideas, even though when taking the case, he was inevitably going to be putting his
Atticus is an important character throughout the novel, he has a large influence of the community of Maycomb County that he is strongly valued in. He is revealed to us through his words and actions as a courageous and unprejudiced man with good values and morals. At the beginning of the novel Atticus Finch takes Tom Robinson’s court case, Tom Robinson is a black member of the Maycomb town who has been accused of rape of Mayella Ewell. In the 1930’s this was a very controversial case for Atticus to be supporting as throughout the community and the Unites States there was a problem of racial inequality. Blacks were not seen to have equal rights as whites and were seen as the lower class and “trash”. Atticus says that “When it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s, the white man always wins”. This shows that although he is exposing himself and his family to the anger of the white community, he would rather stand by his moral values than join the rallying community of racially
Harlie Chester Mrs. Schultz & Mrs. Konieczny English 9 27 March 2024 To Kill a Mockingbird Character Analysis In the screenplay To Kill a Mockingbird by Horton Foote based on the novel by Harper Lee, I'm analyzing one of the supporting characters named Atticus Finch. Atticus shows great acts of bravery, and a sense of good morals. His character is perceived as a fair man who happens to be a lawyer, and has to take on a case for a black man of the name Tom Robinson. They live in a make-believe town called Maycomb, Alabama, based on the town of Monroeville, Alabama. Maycomb is very well known for its farming, but also known for its harsh racism.
As a child, Scout experienced injustice. Since she was just a child, it was very easy for others to treat her unjustly. Her classmates, Mrs. Caroline, and Mr. Ewell criticized and harmed her for unjust reasons. Cecil Jacobs, one of Scout 's classmates, said, “Scout Finch 's daddy defended niggers.” (Lee 99). Cecil insulted Scout, making her upset. Scout wanted to start a fight, but was stopped by her brother, Jem Finch. Even as a child,
In Maycomb County, Atticus Finch is not protected from social and legal codes, the town of Maycomb and close family of Atticus treat him with poor respect because of his choice to defend a black man. Atticus is thought for bringing disgrace to his family by the other white residents of Maycomb for protecting and supporting Tom Robinson. Sheriff Tate warns Atticus that there were men who were angry about Atticus representing Tom. To extend, Scout experiences a lynch mob ( a band of people who want to
Scout Finch is a young girl that is interested in many situations throughout the town that are far too mature for her understanding. However, Calpurnia and Atticus still try to explain situations and circumstances on a childhood level for her to understand. Lee uses these examples to show Scout’s character, but to also show the racism and tragedy that occurs in her hometown. Dare in the periodical states, “Her innocence is a crucial aspect of the narration, highlighting the senseless racism and class divisions that rend Maycomb” (96). Scout’s innocent childhood point of view exemplifies Harper Lee’s idea of prejudice actions that occurs in Maycomb.
In To Kill A Mockingbird, the novel’s author, Harper Lee, accentuates the differences in the characterization of Atticus Finch between members of the community of Maycomb and his own thoughts, words, and actions. As a lawyer, Atticus Finch defends Tom Robinson, who represents the outcasts of Maycomb in this case, but Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose, the Finch’s neighbor, disapproves of this gesture: “‘Your father’s no better than the n*****s and trash he works for!’” (Lee 135) This shows Atticus’s robust morals because he knows what he does corrects the negative segregation stereotype in Maycomb. Finch validates every person he meets, and does not care if one does not carry the same opinion. Atticus Finch also keeps a honest conscience, which tells
The first part of To Kill A Mockingbird introduces the Finch family and their daily lives. The father in the family is an attorney whose only care is the moral rights of others. His views aren't biased or prejudice, he only sees humans who deserve as much respect as they should. He gets a case of a black man being accused of rape towards a white woman. He explains to Scout as this, “..but there’s been some high talk around town to the effect that I shouldn’t be defending this man (Lee 75).” Ever since Atticus has been appointed to the Tom Robinson case, most of the conservative white people in Maycomb County found it a little dishonoring since the defendant was an African American. "Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win," Atticus said (Lee
Unfortunately, her father is in a lot deeper than she thought he was, unable to make him understand what he was thinking. “You neglected to tell me that we were naturally better than then the Negroes, bless their kinky heads, that they were able to go so far but so far only, you neglected to tell me what Mr. O’Hanlon told me yesterday.” (Lee 247). To Scout it’s a shock and one she never expected to come from her father. Atticus was the only person Scout trusted since she was little. With Jem no longer around, Atticus was the real connection the past and her youth. For this to happen, it does not sit well with Scout in any way, and she wants to fight it, not accept that it’s true. “I’ll never forgive you for what you did to me. You cheated me, you’ve driven me out of my home and now I’m in no-man’s-land but good-there’s no place for me any more in Maycomb, and I’ll never be entirely at home anywhere else.” (Lee 248). Scout, now thrown off her center due to what she believes and can’t even call the town where she grew up home. Atticus sent Scout to college in Alabama, and that too seemed against her will on what she wanted to do. Calling Maycomb no longer home is another huge change because she no longer feels welcome, something she felt when she first arrived in town. “Aunty, you may have issue a communique to the effect that I am going so far away from Maycomb