Atticus is a lawyer in Maycomb county in Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus is raising two kids Jem and Scout while having to defend Tom Robinson. Tom is a black man and is going to court for supposedly raping a teenager. In the time that this book was wrote it was very uncommon to defend a black in the way that Atticus defended Tom. It makes sense for Atticus to take a stand to defend Tom Robinson because Atticus is selfless and reliable. One reason that Atticus should defend Tom is because Atticus is selfless. After Atticus moved to Maycomb he paid for his brother’s education. “During his first five years in Maycomb. Atticus practiced economy more than anything for several years thereafter he invested in his brother’s education” (Lee 5). This shows that if a family member is in need of something then Atticus will support them in what they do. In chapter 9, Atticus makes the decision to defend Tom official in a conversation with Scout Atticus says a lot about the client that he is currently working with. “‘Do you …show more content…
When Scout and Jem go looking for Atticus the night before the trial they find him sitting outside the jail that Tom was placed in for safety reasons. “In the light of it’s bare bulb, Atticus was sitting propped up against the front door”(Lee 201). This demonstrates that Atticus will defend and protect Tom no matter what. Atticus did not have to go to the jail but he chose to so that he could keep an eye on the jail incase anyone tried to harm Atticus. In chapter 8, Atticus wakes up to help a neighbor whose house is engulfed in flames. “By then he did not have to tell me. Just as birds know where to go when it rains, I knew there was trouble in our street. Soft taffeta-like sounds and muffled scurrying sounds filled me with helpless dread”n (Lee 92). This shows that Atticus will wake up to put a fire out and to keep his children safe from the fire next
At this point, Atticus receives his call to adventure and has to determine whether to take the case or not. In the beginning, Atticus realizes the attention that this case will bring and what it’ll mean for his family. He knows that it will expose his children to the cruelties of society that he’s tried to protect them from. Atticus comes to the conclusion that if he refuses the case, there will be no one else to take it and he’d essentially be declaring Tom guilty from the start. He knows that the chances of Tom getting off innocent is slim, although he needed to try for the sake of his own conscious and for everything he tries to instill in his children. This is where the psychological journey for Atticus and his family begins as they battle their own morals against the widely held prejudice in the
Atticus Finch is a lawyer and father of two children whose names are Jem and Scout. In the novel, Atticus chooses to defend a black man named Tom Robinson who is accused of raping a white woman, even though most of Maycomb is against Tom Robinson due to its racist time setting. He understood that racism was inhumane and innocent people must be defended no matter what race they are. Atticus holds his ground and tries his best to defend Tom Robinson in court, despite the community being against him. Atticus even reminds his children to steadfast during this time of challenge regardless of what other people tell them.
Compassionate, dramatic, and deeply moving, Harper Lee's, To Kill a Mockingbird takes readers to the roots of human behavior, to innocence and experience, kindness and cruelty, love and hatred, and the struggle between blacks and whites. Atticus Finch, a lawyer and single parent in a small southern town in the 1930's, is appointed by the local judge to defend Tom Robinson, a black man, who is accused of raping a white woman. Friends and neighbors object when Atticus puts up a strong and spirited defense on behalf of the accused black man. Atticus renounces violence but stands up for what he believes in. He decides to defend Tom Robinson because if he did not, he would not only lose the respect of his children and the townspeople, but himself as well.
Atticus was appointed to defend Tom Robinson in a court trial. Tom was a black man that was being incriminated for allegedly raping Mayella Ewell (Lee 86). Her father, Bob Ewell, accused Tom
Keeping a mouth shut doesn't hold the world shut out, it opens up new doors to things that would never be expected. In To Kill A Mockingbird written by Harper Lee, there is are two character that is are an eternal mystery for the readers. Boo Radley, though the reader nor Scout and Jem know anything about the character all they want is to learn about him. Boo becomes a mysterious figure that many see as creepy, ghostly, but also reasonably wise. The one-time Boo appears the readers learn he is a sagacious, powerful man. Little do Scout and Jem know is that their father is also a rational being as well. The two crucial character in the story helps support the
In Go Set a Watchman Atticus is portrayed as being racist . The new book gives the impression that Lee knew what much of her audience didn’t : that her character’s principles didn’t constitute justice. in go set a Watchman, it stands to be redefined as a book about racism not just in Maycomb County, but within the Finch household itself. Here’s something . In Mockingbird, when Atticus first tells Scout that he’s taking on the Tom Robinson case, he talks about the nobility of fighting for a lost cause. “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started,” he says, “is no reason for us not to try to win.” Scout replies, “You sound like Cousin Ike Finch,” referring to Maycomb County’s “sole surviving Confederate veteran.” Within a few pages, she adds, “Cecil Jacobs asked me one time if Atticus was a Radical. When I asked Atticus, Atticus was so amused I was rather annoyed, but he said he wasn’t laughing at me. He said, ‘You tell Cecil I’m about as radical as Cotton Tom Heflin.’”Heflin, of course, was a white supremacist senator and member of the Klan.
Atticus shows great compassion and tolerance when he stands up for the Negroes. He stands up and represents Tom Robinson because he believes that everyone should be treated equally in the court of law. He knows that because Tom was a Negro there would be a slim chance of winning. That fact never discouraged him though because he says that the main reason he is representing Tom is because, ' if I didn't I couldn't hold up my head in town, I couldn't represent this county in the legislature'; (75). He recited a speech, which clearly states that Tom Robinson is not guilty. In that speech he says, 'our courts have their faults, as does any human institution, but in this courts are the great levelers, and in our courts all men are created equal'; (205). He believed that prejudice and stereotyping is wrong and he tries to teach these morals to Scout and Jem.
The author George Elliot once said “don’t judge a book by its cover.” Appearance can be very misleading, and you shouldn't prejudge the worth or value of something by its outward appearance alone. This philosophical idea has been included in many works of literature, including the timeless classic To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee. The novel takes place in the town of Maycomb, Alabama during the 1930s. Many citizens of Maycomb tend to make judgements based on outward appearances alone. In the novel, Lee uses minor characters such as Boo Radley, Mrs. Dubose, and Tom Robinson to convey the book’s theme of prejudice.
In conclusion, it makes sense for Atticus to defend Tom. Atticus was advocating equal rights.Atticus could not go on with his life if he did not take the trial. Although, others might say that it is irrational for Atticus to defend Tom, his pride is at stake.It does make sense for Atticus to defend Tom Robinson because it a matter of principle and the right thing to
Atticus has countless positive and negative characteristics, but there are two that stand out the most. The first character trait is that he acts a lot older than his age. Jem said that Atticus loved playing keep away and that he was never too tired, but when Jem went to tackle him, Atticus blurred out, “‘I am too old for that, son’” (Lee 118). Jem had never gotten that reaction from Atticus before. Atticus had to wear glasses, because without them he would not be able to see black on white with his left eye. Jem and Scout never see Atticus doing anything, he does not hunt, he does not go on walk, or he does not even travel. The only thing Jem and Scout see Atticus do is sit in the living room and read. Atticus is always on good terms with
Not only did Atticus protect Tom in court, but he also kept him from being killed before the case appeared in the courtroom. While awaiting his trial, Tom Robinson lived in the county jail. Atticus feared that Tom would be killed before the trial started if he did not step in to protect him. And he was right. One night Atticus left home late to stand watch at Tom’s cell. Several men accosted Atticus at the jail trying to kill Tom. But Scout, Jem, and Dill (their friend), showed up, and Scout talked to one of the men, Mr. Cunningham, and got them to leave. “‘Entailments are bad,’ I [Scout] was advising him [Mr. Cunningham], when I slowly awoke to the fact that I was addressing the entire aggregation… ‘Well, Atticus, I was just sayin’ to Mr. Cunningham that entailments are bad an’ all that, but you said not to worry, it take a long time sometimes. . . that you all’d ride it out together. . .’ … ‘What’s the matter?’ I asked. Atticus said nothing. I looked around and up at Mr. Cunningham, whose face looked equally impassive. Then he did a peculiar thing. He squatted down and took me by both my shoulders. ‘I’ll tell him [his son, Walter] you said hey, little lady,’ he said. The[n] he straightened up and waved a big paw. ‘Let’s clear out,’ he called, ‘Let’s get going, boys.’”(Lee 174-175). Also, he protected the people of Maycomb from a rabid dog. Tim
Atticus a boring old man that has uninteresting traits. He doesn't hunt, he doesn't fish, he doesn't do anything. All Atticus does is work in an office and is blind in his left eye and wears glasses. The average boring that daughter Scout believes him to be. In the story To Kill a Mockingbird by Lee Harper, Afficus daughter Scout believed he was a very boring man. She believed this because she couldn’t go to school and brag about the things she and Jem did with there Dad but, she couldn't do that. The main reasoning being for this was because Atticus was An older father. He explained to pam and Jem that he just started late with having a family. In the a section of the story I read Scout explains how everyone can brag but she can’t. This shows that she cares deeply about Being able to tell people how proud she was of her dad and doing things with them but she didn't have that opportunity. In the passage she states He did not do the things our schoolmates’ fathers did; he never went hunting, he did not play
Atticus has a clear mind. He will not sit by and watch as his two children are abused and their views twisted to match the society of racism they live amongst. Atticus builds his morals up in the children very evidently, although no so much as to draw attention. He speaks words of wisdom to them in their distress, but also with the treatment and position of Calpurnia, he is able to demonstrate a precise view of his own conscience. Atticus knows that because of this, he is considered one of the most non-racist people in Maycomb, therefore being offered Tom's case. Judge Taylor knows the right man for the job.
Furthermore, Atticus showed true bravery when he went against Maycomb, a generally prejudice town, in order to defend Tom. He understood that taking the case would make him an object of scorn and ridicule. That no one would forgive him for believing in a black man's word rather than a white man's. Even his own sister expresses disapproval of his decision, practically telling him he was bringing disgrace on the family. But, no matter how much his reputation suffered, he did not change his mind. Standing up for his convictions was more important then what people thought about him..
Atticus was incredibly courageous taking on tom Robinsons case against the prejudice of Macomb County and he shows incredible courage when he says, "Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try and won." He wants the people of Maycomb to hear the truth about Tom Robinson, "That boy may go to the chair, but he's not going till the truth's told." Chapter 15, Page 146. He was against the whole white community including his own sister practically said that he was a disgrace to his family Atticus tells scout when she asks him why he is taking the case he says "For a number of reasons. The main one is, if I didn't I couldn't hold up my head in town, I couldn't represent this county in the legislature, I couldn't even tell you or Jem not to do something again.