In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, racism is a pervasive force that affects everybody who crosses its path. Racism presents itself in many ways in the town of Maycomb. Some are blatant and open, but others are more subtle. The most obvious way racism presents itself in Maycomb is the outcome of Tom Robinson’s trial, but it also affects Atticus, who chooses to put all his effort into defending Tom Robinson. Racism even found its way into the lives of Jem and Scout when Atticus is appointed the defense attorney for the trial. Racism presents itself in many different forms in Maycomb and manages to attach itself to the most innocent of people regardless of their race.
Tom Robinson’s entire life is shaped by the racism that runs
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He defends Tom Robinson in the trial to the very best of his ability and is greatly upset when he does not win the case. The effect that takes place on Atticus can be seen before, during and after the trial. In the beforehand of the trial Atticus stations himself in front of the jailhouse keeping watch to be sure that Tom lives long enough to see his trial. If Atticus would not have kept watch, Tom very likely would have been killed by the mob that confronted Atticus. This act drove home that Atticus means business and that he is not going to let the pressures placed upon him throw out his fairness and morals as a good lawyer. During the trial, Atticus clearly proved that Tom Robinson is not guilty of the crime he committed, but since Tom Robinson is a black man accused by a white woman, the case is hopeless from the start. After the trial finished, Atticus is known as a man who sides with colored folks and is looked down upon just for doing his job and properly defending the people he is …show more content…
He lives a life split between two contrasting identities. In public, Dolphus lives the life of a drunken man, fallen into the clutches of alcohol. In private, he is a sober and humane family man who despises the hypocrisy and brutality of Maycomb society. He creates this public identity to give the people of Maycomb a reason to ignore his close contact with colored people and to hide his true views on Maycomb behind his mask of drunkenness. He detests the racism ingrained in Maycomb’s society, but he also is unwilling to protest his dislike. Dolphus Raymond builds his public identity to hide his hatred of Maycomb and to make his neighbors think that they understand that he is nothing but an alcoholic who doesn’t know what he’s doing. In reality, he is a sober and decent man with love for the oppressed blacks of the county. This identity allows him to live with the colored people of Maycomb, marry a black woman and have children, and to break the racial gap of Maycomb’s
In the town of Maycomb, a man who stands up against racism forever changes people’s views on racism. Scout, Jem and Atticus Finch all stand together against racism and prejudice in the tiny town of Maycomb. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, in the town of Maycomb, prejudice is a disease, but Jem, Scout, and Dill are immune to this illness because of the people who raise them. For example, when Cecil and Francis told Scout that Atticus was a disgrace to defend Tom Robinson, even though Francis is Scout’s cousin. When Scout and Jem hear the verdict of Tom’s case, they both cry and are angry about the sentence while the rest of the town is ecstatic.
The biased racism limits the arguments a lawyer can appeal to the jury about defending the defendant to win the case, but can simultaneously limit the amount of voice the jury hears from both sides. Reassuring that Tom Robinson’s case is dealt seriously Atticus exchanges his identity as the noble man he is for the reputation of a villain that the town flames and calls names such as “nigger lover”. Sacrificing Atticus’s identity does not give him much room to speak during the case, in fact, without his title as an intelligent, helpful, and wealthy citizen the people of Maycomb could potentially harm Atticus which forces him to be a little more cautious approach with the people of Maycomb. Concerned with the matter of how her father finds that his actions are right; when the majority of the town finds is wrong. Atticus then responds strongly to Scout with that he could not live with himself or tell her and Jem to do the right act if he did not take the case seriously himself. Atticus’s identity sacrificed for the intention to save his kids from, “Maycomb's usual disease” which is racism. The town of Maycomb, filled with racist views which exposes the kids to the racist views of close friends such as Dill Harris, family members such as Aunt Alexandra, and neighbors such
Tom Robinson: Innocent or Guilty? In my opinion, an innocent man shouldn't be ordered to even step into an unfair court case. In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Jem and Scout go through countless conflicts, including the trial of Tom Robinson and the rape of Mayella Ewell. Throughout the story, people considered Tom Robinson a mockingbird, an innocent man, and even an enemy. In chapter ten, Atticus tells Jem and Scout that it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird since they only compose music for people to appreciate.
LAST WEEK- The Maycomb courthouse was overflowing with people, an anomalous situation. Everyone crowded the courtroom hoping to catch a bit of the Ewell vs. Robinson case that had been the talk of the town for months. Tom Robinson is facing trial for Mayella Ewell’s accusation against him. She claims Robinson assaulted her last year on November 21.
Gentlemen of the jury, I would like to restate that my client Tom Robinson is not guilty for the accusation of raping Mayella Ewell. Mr. Gilmer had many statements that make Tom out to be a horrible man, but he’s a very kind and well respected man by many of his peers. I would for you men on the jury to push past any prejudiceness you may have against Tom because of the color of his skin. Look deep at this man who could potentially have his life, family, and his reputation ruined because of the false allegations stated by Mayella and Bob Ewell.
Was the trial fair? Could the trial have been changed if the person being prosecuted was different? Is Maycomb biased? With Tom Robinson’s trial it outlined the power of racism and how easily it can change the minds of people. It showed how racist the American South was back in the day. The reasoning to even say that Maycomb is racist because of the fact that the outcome of the trial was already determined before it even ended, Atticus and everyone even knew that Tom was going to lose. Another thing that can outline the racism in Maycomb and the racism in the courtroom is that the jury in the case would be very biased towards the case and maybe even fear for their safety because of people finding out that they voted not guilty towards Tom
So here I am, at the end of my road. Holding a shotgun for the first time in 15 years. Being asked to shoot a wild dog. I risk the chance of missing and angering the dog. He would attack my children and everyone around me. I take of my glasses and take my aim. I shoot. Let me explain how I got here.
In these chapters of To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the trial of Tom Robinson begins and the whole town is attending. Jem, Scout and Dill are eager to watch Atticus defend Tom. The trial is important to many people, especially the black community, they are grateful for Atticus, whether he was given the case or he took it, he did it with all of his ability. In this journal, I will be evaluating the reasons why the people on the balcony stood for Atticus when he passed.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”-Martin Luther King Jr. This quote shows how racism is like darkness and hate and love and light are the only way to drive racism out. The story takes place at the time of the great depression. Scout lives in a very racist and judgement city in the south. A black male is accused of raping a white woman. Scouts dad Atticus gets appointed to be the defendant's lawyer. Racism is an antagonist in To Kill A Mockingbird because the white people of Maycomb discriminate the blacks and make them feel lesser. The theme racism can be harmful to everyone is shown by many characters throughout the book.
Jail is supposed to be a place for people who have committed illegal offenses, but there are some people who get accused for a crime when they were actually innocent. Not only does this happen to people in stories, like what happened to Tom Robinson in To Kill a Mockingbird, it happens to people in real life too, and for the same reasons as Tom. America and other countries need to find a way to make sure that innocent people don't get accused for that they didn’t do.
In the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, racism is a major theme. Atticus Finch, the narrator’s father, defends a negro, Tom Robinson, in the court of law against a white man, Bob Ewell. Robinson had reportedly raped a young white girl, Mayella Ewell. But according to Robinson he had gone to help Mayella, as he often did, with work around the house. As he starts helping Mayella, she tries to get Tom to kiss her and will not let him out of the house. Bob Ewell sees this and chases Tom out of the house and accuses him of raping his daughter. Atticus goes against almost everyone in Maycomb County’s opinion in defending Tom Robinson. Throughout the course of the novel, racism effects many characters such as Tom and Helen Robinson, Scout and Jem Finch, and Mayella and Bob Ewell. All these characters had there lives
Just like in the case of Tom Robinson, this town is just as racist as Maycomb. Over a hundred men stood outside the jail hoping for a good time beating and killing the men, which can be compared to the few who were outside Maycomb’s jail.
Dolphus Raymond pretends to be drunk most of the time in order to live the way the he wants to and not be judged and asked questions regarding his choice of lifestyle. He married a black woman and has multiple mixed children. This shows that social expectations are sometimes more valued than the actual truth because he didn’t conform to the expectations of society.Another place in the story that supports this is when all the evidence was in Tom Robinson’s favor but the jury convicted him guilty. In this scene, social expectations are sometimes more valued than the actual truth, is shown because most people in Maycomb are racist and think all black people are somehow lesser/below them. Society expect all black people to be criminals and always wrong so that’s why he was convicted. Even though all the evidence pointed to him being
Few people are the same as they are on the street in their homes. Few people can treat others equally; no matter what colour their skin is. Atticus Finch is one of those precious few. Racism in the town of Maycomb is nothing but disguised by the polite smiles and ladies missionary meetings; although it is the strongest belief that each person of the town holds apart from some such as Atticus. Racism is an issue of great importance, yet to the eye of a visitor waltzing through, it's just a slight whisk of air.
Racism presents itself in many ways in the town of Maycomb. Some are blatant and open, but others are more insidious. One obvious way that racism presents itself is in the result of Tom Robinson’s trial. Another apparent example is the bullying Jem and Scout had to endure as a result of Atticus’s appointment as Tom Robinson’s defense attorney. A less easily discernible case is the persecution of Mr. Dolphus Raymond, who chose to live his life in close relation with the colored community.