Chapter 1-5 (7/5/15) “Miss Caroline told me to tell my father not to teach me anymore, it would interfere with my reading.” (pg. 22) Miss Caroline’s teaching methods are ineffective and illogical. Teaching your kids how to read early on would help them immensely. It wouldn’t interfere with Scout’s reading, it would make her a better reader. Scout is subjected to Miss Caroline’s wrath for learning to read before any of her peers but Burris Ewell can come to school once a year just to avoid the law. That just doesn’t make any sense. Scout is being singled out by the teacher for having good intentions. For example, Scout tries to tell Miss Caroline the Walter Cunningham situation and she receives a couple slaps to the hand in return. “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” (pg. 39) Ever since I’ve read this quote said by Atticus, I have tried to live by it. I believe that everyone should live by it. Today, the world is filled with harsh judgements by someone’s appearance or by one bad decision they have made. If we took the time and try to look at things from their perspective, peace will come easily. If someone decides to steal from a store, it doesn’t mean that they’re a …show more content…
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
Atticus decides to take on a highly controversial case in Maycomb, where Mayella Ewell, a 19 year old white female, accuses Tom Robinson, a black man in his thirties, of rapeing her. During the trial, Mayella, Bob, and the sheriff state that Robinson hit her on the right side of her face; however, Atticus contradicts the Ewell’s story by showing the jury that Tom Robinson only has one useful hand. Jem then whispers, ‘We’ve got him’” (Lee 202). Although, Maycomb’s society would never allow for Tom Robinson to win the trail, Jem’s innocent perspective enables him to believe that race does not come before the facts. Shortly after the trial, Jem says, “‘Doesn’t make it right. You can’t just convict a man on evidence like that-—you can’t’” (Lee 252). Jem displays an understanding of the racism and divisions in society within Maycomb in this quote. He knows that the conviction of Tom Robinson is bias and that the treatment of all blacks is unfair. Jem shows moral growth in this quote and has a more mature mindset about equality than most of the folks in Maycomb.
Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird tells of a town in Alabama, called Maycomb. In this deeply-rooted racist town, there is a trial against an African American man, accused of raping a white woman. One man, however, Atticus Finch, has the opportunity to help the the man on trial. Although he knows he will lose the trial, he takes the case anyway. Atticus is respected in Maycomb, and known for his wisdom and experience. He is a good-hearted, egalitarian man who is always there and willing to provide guidance to his children and to the town of Maycomb, with his years of practice and experience.
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 Finch is a lawyer in To Kill A Mockingbird, and he decides to take the trial of Tom Robinson into his hands, Tom Robinson was charged with assaulting Mayella Ewell, but Atticus does not believe he did it. The white people in the town believe that Tom Robinson is guilty, and the black people in the town believe he is not guilty, because of this, there is a race gap in the town, so the white people in town do not like Atticus because
TKaM Atticus Quote Essay Daniel Li We as humans are judgmental and categorize others by their personalities and actions. We are lead into not asking “why?” In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird Atticus Finch says, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… until you climb into his skin and walk around in it” (39). The quote is about empathy, or the ability to understand others and view things from their viewpoint.
Everyone in their town of Maycomb expects Atticus to blow off the case and not try because Tom is a black man fighting against a white man. Atticus goes against the norm by using the case to work towards ending racial bias and change. Atticus understands and works very hard to prove that people should be treated equally despite their race, especially in court. The community sees this and recognizes that “[Atticus] fought for him all the way” (Lee 276). Atticus knew it would be difficult to defend Tom as innocent and move toward justice and equality in Maycomb.
Atticus is one of the most bravest people in Maycomb. He shows true courage by defending Tom Robinson based on the principle of right and wrong. For example, on page 88, he says, “ It couldn't be worse, Jack. The only thing we've got is a black mans word against the Ewells”. At this moment Atticus explains to his brother Jack, why he had to defend Tom Robinson. Atticus influences his children by being brave enough to defend a black man. Atticus was getting ready to the next trial, by telling uncle Jack that the trial essentially boils down to Bob and Mayella's words against Tom Robinson testimony. Later Atticus shows true bravery by “ Standing outside of Tom robinson's cell, knowing that the men from the town will show up trying to kill
White people believed to treat them like “trash” and they are influencing their kids to do the same which puts an impact on the community . The white people in Maycomb , Albama believe that black people are “ Filthy Beings” . Tom Robinson is a prime example in this book because , just because he’s an african american he loses the case of raping a white girl by the name of Mayella Ewell . Tom was given an defense attorney , which is Atticus and he was chosen by the judge . The law and system is so messed up that the judge picked a white man to be his attorney . Atticus Finch is a white man who is an experienced lawyer . Atticus is trying his best to win Tom’s case . All of a sudden he immediately loses the case . When the trial was over , Mr . Underwood said “Atticus has used every tool available to free men to save Tom Robinson , but in the secret courts of men’s hearts Atticus had no case . Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed . “ (241)
In the book, it mentions different kinds of families. So far, in chapter one, it mentions the Ewells family that is dirt poor. In chapter one, page 6,”Ladies bathed before noon, after their three-o’clock naps, and by nightfall were like soft teacakes with frostings of sweat and sweet talcum.” This quote stood out to me because of how it has changed over the years with sexism. On page 11, of chapter one, it says,”So Jem received most of his information from Miss Stephanie Crawford, a neighborhood scold.” This reminds me of my neighbors. They are an old couple who always scold my siblings and me when we play outside on the streets. They always tell us to tone it down when we are not loud. On page 15, of chapter one, it says,”’Let’s try to make him come out,’ said Dill.” This quote stands out because you can tell that they are little children. In chapter two, they introduce Scout’s teacher, Miss Caroline. On page 19, it says,”Miss Caroline told me to tell my father not to teach me any more, it would interfere with my reading.” This quote caught my eye because the teacher did not want Scout to be ahead of everyone since she knew how to read. On page 26,”Jem said,’Our daddy’s a friend of your
Chapter 1-6 Reflection As a society, we as humans are very judgemental towards others. We may judge a person over the simplest things based on their clothes, how they walk, how they talk, their hair style, political views, and so many other tiny and pointless details. Yet, we find ourselves judging others even if we glance at them for nearly a second. It’s not until you talk with the person and spend time with them that you finally get a basic understanding of them. There is a quote said by Atticus that is said after Scout tells him about what she did to Chuck Cunningham at the schoolyard which says, “You never really understand a person until you consider his point of view… until you climb into his skin and walk around in it” (Lee 39).
In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee she uses many excellent quotes that can be broken down and analyzed, one of the quotes she uses is “People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for.” The world and everyone in it isn’t what people always think it is. Furthermore, don’t judge people for how they look or act, dig deeper and get to know them. For example Scout remarks, “Atticus, he was real nice.”
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view-” “-until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” (Lee 30).
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.
He shows this by going out of his way to help Mayella. Tom testifies, “Mr. Ewell didn’t seem to help her none (256)…” This shows his generosity as he helped her for no reward, just out of the kindness of his heart. Tom is an honest man who is prejudiced because of his skin colour. Scout realises, “It occurred to me that in their own way, Tom Robinson’s manners were as good as Atticus’s (260).” Since the community has the utmost respect for Atticus it shows that racism is the only reason they will not believe him. Lastly, Tom was killed for a crime he didn’t commit. “He likened Tom’s death to the senseless slaughter of songbirds (323)…” As an innocent man, Tom did not deserve to be killed for this crime. Even though Tom is not guilty, because of the Maycomb’s racism his innocent life was
Atticus displays acts of personal courage in his willingness to keep others safe and his response to racism based threats. Many of the citizens of Maycomb County and its surrounding area were upset about Atticus, a lawyer, taking the defense case of Tom Robinson, a black man who was accused of raping a white woman. Mr. Link Deas and Mr. Heck Tate, along with some other men in Maycomb, come to tell Atticus about the Old Sarum lynch mob coming to kill Tom. The next night, Atticus goes down to the county jail and tells the mob to go home and leave Tom alone (Lee 194 and 202). The lynch mob comes to kill Tom, so they could potentially hurt Atticus, too. The amount of courage Atticus has to display to defend Tom outside of the courthouse and stand up to a dangerous mob of men is extremely high, considering the risks he takes. Atticus comes home from work one day, after the trial is over, and is approached by Mr. Bob Ewell, the victim's father: "According to Miss Stephanie Crawford, however, Atticus was leaving the post office when Mr. Ewell approached him, cursed him, spat on him, and threatened to kill him... Atticus's peaceful reaction probably prompted him to inquire,'Too proud to fight, you [Negro-lover]?' Miss Stephanie said Atticus said, 'No, too old', put his hands in his pockets, and strolled on"(291). Mr. Ewell is upset that Atticus had tried to prove that Tom was innocent and that Mr. Ewell had hurt his own daughter. He also believes that