There are unforgettable moments in a society when one can shape events for generations to come. For an individual to use proper judgements to change one’s living environment, and make the situation equal for others is a significant responsibility. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch presents as an evident contradiction of the society of Maycomb in which racism and injustice are customary in able to emphasize Lee’s lesson that one must stand with their own moral code, regardless of what others think in order to change society.
First of all, Atticus Finch chooses justice and fairness by defending Tom Robinson--- a black man of a crime that he never committed. However, racism and injustice in the town of Maycomb is shown clearly when Tom Robinson, who is wrongly convicted of the beating and rape of Mayella Ewell--- a white woman, is judged as guilty even after the consistently obvious evidence that Atticus Finch gave to prove that he is indeed innocent.
Atticus delivers his closing speech in the case of Tom Robinson as he speaks to the jury of all white men he identifies that he is
“...no idealist” and that “..a court is no better than each man...sitting before [him] 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. [he is] confident that [the] gentlemen will review without passion the evidence [they] have heard, come to a decision, and restore [the] defendant to his family. In the name of God, do [their] duty.” (274)
While Atticus says he is no idealist, he realistic of the fact that he has extremely low chances of winning the case for Tom Robinson because of the prejudice that the society of Maycomb sets against black people. Regardless of it all, Atticus managed to stand within his own set of moral codes which allowed him to provide proper evidence that Tom is not guilty, in attempt to change the way the society think of a certain group of people.
Correspondingly, Atticus chooses to raise his children, Jem and Scout in a way that would change how the society of Maycomb thinks. One of the most important virtue that Atticus teaches his children is empathy--- the ability to share feelings and understand another person.
The whole town of Maycomb is racist, which makes Atticus’s job harder trying to defend Tom Robinson against the word of a white man.Tom Robinson’s case is unjust since he is black and the majority of Maycomb revert to the stereotype that all blacks are immoral and criminals. “Quote” shows that it is a situation where little is possible to do when defending a black man because the town of Maycomb is deeply affected by racism they tend to only make decisions based on the race and so immediately think Tom Robinson is guilty, that he did indeed raped Mayella when there was so much evidence to prove otherwise. This is challenging for Atticus, since he has to persuade everyone to pretend there is no stereotype about blacks and that they are human
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
As Tom Robinson was a Black man in court against a white woman, he lost the case due to the overwhelming racism of the jury. Atticus believes in the good of people and not their skin color, as the rest of the residents of Maycomb. He believes in true character and honesty, which every white man does not show. As he supports everyone equally, he receives a lot of hate from white people calling him unbiased and fair, “Too proud to fight, you nigger-lovin’ bustard?” (Lee 217).
However, the kids are not quick to accepting people most of the time. Without Atticus being there to guide them along the path of righteousness, Jem and Scout would be just like any other kid in Maycomb. When the kids are confused as to why Atticus was trying to do the ethical thing and defend Tom, Miss Maudie has to explain to them that he was making "baby steps in the right direction" (183). When Jem is still absent minded about the ordeal, Miss Maudie says, "I simply want to tell you that there are some men in this world who were born to do our unpleasant jobs for us. Your father's one of them.' 'Oh,' said Jem. 'Well.' 'Don't you oh well me, sir,' Miss Maudie replied, recognizing Jem's fatalistic noises, 'you are not old enough to appreciate what I said'" (183). The kids are impetuous to judge people, like Boo Radley, and Atticus has to stand up for him against the children. Even if Scout and Jem do a good deed of exemplifying equality, they are following by Atticus' admirable example since he is their father and they live under his influence.
Atticus displays these characteristics of positive morals, dignity and fairness by defending rape accused Tom Robinson and trying to provide him with a credible defence against the wishes and social norms of the community, however Atticus Finch abided by the social norms of the community while livingin a racially segregated community, carrying on with his day to day life in such a community, while using “white only” parks and white only buses without directly challenging the racist legal system and Atticus Finch did not dispute the fact that Tom Robinson is tried before an all-white jury and that it was fairly reasonable to assume that they would convict him of rape as a predetermined outcome on the mere fact that he was a black man and she was a white
In Harper Lee’s historical novel To Kill a Mockingbird, the main protagonist, Atticus Finch, delivers his final argumentative response to not only prove the innocence of Tom Robinson, who was allegedly convicted of raping Mayella Ewell, but to address the inequality and immoral code of conduct against African-Americans faced in society. Finch’s purpose is to publicise the unethical treatment blacks receive from whites and to show that they should not be the culprit of society due to their race. He adopts a passionate and sincere tone in order to emphasize the discrimination African-Americans face in society to the people in the courtroom.
To Kill a Mockingbird: The Prevalent Existence of Injustice The 1930’s Great Depression was a national economic recession that not only brought upon corruption for society but also brought to light the brutality of discrimination. The novel, To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee, is based in the 1930s Southern Alabama, about a young girl and her family living everyday only to witness the extreme prejudice and racism in their town. The author explores many themes; in particular, she demonstrates how many innocent people can be victims of injustice. Harper Lee’s novel conveys the preconceived notions held by the society of Maycomb, and how they create an environment in which the characters Atticus Finch, Boo Radley and Tom Robinson are
“With great power, come great responsibility” What is Justice? To be honest, there isn't an exact definition. People have their own unique way to describe it. Justice is usually fought for in many ways, whether it’s fighting crime, defending someone, or standing up to a bully without having to give in to violence.
Today’s society is damaged with the results of people doing terrible things to each other. Peoples actions can make or break lives.The novel To Kill A Mockingbird, is about a little girl, her Brother, their Dad, and the negro they all fight to defend. The main character scout and her older brother Jem, get into all sorts of dilemmas in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama. As they learn new valuable lessons about life, they also pick up that the small town they grow up in is not as clean and safe as it seems. The father, Atticus Finch is a kind hearted soul who was given the case of Tom Robinson, a negro accused of Raping a white woman. As soon as Atticus was given the case he aimed to defend Tom but a faulty jury made sure it did not happen.To
Atticus is appointed to defend a black man named Tom Robinson who has been accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a white woman. She is a member of the Ewell family, who is looked down upon by Maycomb society and referred to as "white trash." Atticus knows that Tom has almost no chance because he is black and will be tried by an all white jury. Nevertheless, he wants to help him reveal the truth.
Atticus brings to light the town’s issue of racism through utilizing reason in his summation speech. Atticus starts by noting that, “The state of Alabama has not produced one iota of medical evidence that shows that the crime Tom Robinson is charged with ever took place” (Lee 271). Atticus causes the jury and the people in the courtroom to consider the facts rather then making a prejudgement based on race. Atticus describes disparity and suspicious evidence in the case:“It has relied instead upon the testimony of two
If you were a parent would you want the best for your kids? Would you want to teach them to search out for the true meaning of dignity and respect? This was the goal of one father, Atticus Finch. Being a nearly fifty-year-old man with extremely young children he wanted to share his wisdom and firsthand experiences with his children to shape them into a respectable young man and woman. Throughout his life, Atticus is taught many experiences himself about not judging someone, and to stand up for the helpless and defenseless. Some important morals that he carried through to teach his children in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird is to never judge someone by their social class or race, and to fight for the justice of all the people of Maycomb.
Atticus says that even though Tom is innocent, the all-white jury will find him guilty anyway because he is a black man. The people of Maycomb are livid that their best lawyer would defend a black man who “raped” a white woman. Up until now, Maycomb has been displayed as a happy little town, it’s been seen as nothing but positive. The racist and unflattering side of Maycomb has been exposed as they attack the Finches. Even some of the Finches’ family members disapproves of Atticus’s choice. The town believes that Atticus defending a black man puts the Finch name to shame. They believed that he shouldn’t have done what he
Through To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee exposes racial injustice in Maycomb during the 1930s. This theme revolves around Atticus Finch's case; a case where a black man, Tom Robinson, is accused of raping a white young lady, Mayella Ewell. One of the most significant impacts this novel has is Atticus's model of integrity for the legal profession. His honesty is best shown during Tom Robinson's trial, most specifically in his closing argument addressed to the jury. In his powerful speech, Atticus denounces the clear reason behind Tom's trial; racism. Jem and Scout, progressively leaving childhood, understand that Tom's conviction was everything but fair. This essay will be divided into three parts, an analysis of Atticus's speech will be made
Finally, Atticus teaches his children about racism and morals by defending Tom Robinson. Atticus knows he will not win the trial but decides to defend Tom in a case of personal moral