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Analysis of a mockingbird movie
Literary analysis to kill a mockingbird essay
Literary analysis to kill a mockingbird essay
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In the book To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus has the quality of integrity that he always tries his best to do everything he thinks it’s just. In the book, Atticus defends Tom Robinson that is against the whole society. Since he says, “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win.” Even though Atticus is against the whole society and may not win the case, he still try his best to support the things he thinks they are just and right. People may disagree with Atticus’s actions, but it surely makes sense that Atticus is devoted to fight for inequality between blacks and whites. There is no doubt that it makes sense for Atticus to take a stand to defend Tom Robinson. It’s reasonable for Atticus to defend Tom Robinson because he is a responsible, just, and devoted lawyer. As a lawyer, Atticus should support every …show more content…
They think Atticus should not defend Tom Robinson because he is a black man. It’s traditional that blacks are different from whites in the society. “You 've got everything to lose from this, Atticus. I mean everything”(Page 195). This shows if Atticus helps Tom Robinson, he is against the whole society. He may not win the case, but he may lose everything he has, such as reputation and others’ trust. It is not worth to help blacks. Furthermore, Atticus’s action was cursed by others and let his children be bullied by other children. “Your father’s no better than the niggers and trash he works for”(Page). Atticus really hurts his reputation since he helps Tom Robinson. However, Atticus really has courage and he has different mind. “And in our courts all men are created equal”(Page 272). The most significant mind that Atticus always remember is blacks and whites are equal and they should be treated equally. All people are created equal under the constitution. People can’t always assist whites instead of making the worth and correct
Atticus did what no other person would do in Maycomb, he defended a negro man in court. In the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, Atticus is a lawyer that has to defend Tom Robinson because Tom was accused of raping a white lady. Others in Maycomb don’t agree with Atticus because he took a black man’s words over a white woman’s word. Atticus is a man of morals with integrity, so he did the right thing and took Tom Robinson’s side. It makes sense for Atticus to take a stand to defend Tom Robinson because he follows his morals and the golden rule.
Overall, Atticus defending Tom Robinson makes perfect sense. It seems in character for him to do so. His selflessness, his want to do the right thing, and the influence of his two children could have been a big part in him taking the case. Although he himself knew he had no chance of winning, if he didn’t, it would seem like everything he stood for in life would mean nothing. Atticus had to use his own advice and lessons to get himself through this trial, and in the end of it all, him defending Tom Robinson makes
Atticus is a good father for teaching his children to respect everyone. Scout asks Atticus if he is a “nigger lover” and he simply replies, "I certainly am. I do my best to love everybody... I'm hard put, sometimes—baby, it's never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is, it doesn't hurt you." This shows that atticus is not like the other people in Maycomb he considers every man to be equal to one another. Judge Taylor comes to Atticus to defend Tom Robinson because he knows he’s the only man in Maycomb that is fit to do to the job, and do it fairly. While thinking about taking the offer Atticus firsts thinks about his kids and how it will affect their lives. Atticus says “…do you think I could face my children otherwise? You know what’s going to happen as well as I do, Jack, and I hope and pray I can get Jem and Scout through it without bitterness, and most of all, without catching Maycomb’s usual disease. Why reasonable people go stark raving mad when anythin...
In Lee’s creation, the reader automatically recognizes Atticus as the moral figure in the novel, guided by convictions and beliefs to which he holds firm. Atticus in a wise man and an excellent lawyer, as well as a compassionate father dedicated to instilling wisdom in his children Jem and Scout. He believes that Tom Robinson deserves proper representation in court and is willing to subject himself and his family to the town’s judgment rather than let an innocent man be killed. Perhaps he views Tom Robinson as a “mockingbird”, a piece of innocence left in the world. After stating earlier in the novel that he considers it a sin to kill mockingbirds, Atticus now devotes himself to protecting Tom’s rights and his innocence. The m...
To Kill A Mockingbird takes place during the 1930’s, a time of economic slump and despair. During this time, especially in Alabama, racism was copious. Naturally, Maycomb landed into the racist manifest. The town abhorred Atticus Finch for his acts of defending Tom Robinson. The immensity of the prejudice is so abundant, no one would dare go against what is politically correct. Unless, of course, equipped with enough moral courage. Harper Lee illustrates that Atticus is a man with an immense amount of courage and sense of justice. Atticus Finch proves to us how the defeat of prejudice is possible with moral courage. Atticus is very aware “[Tom Robinson] [will] face the chair, but not until the truth’s told” (195). Atticus refuses to allow a man, so clearly innocent, to face the chair without the unpardonable truth being told. It is prominent that black people face extreme prejudice and racism, and due to this are convicted much faster. Atticus’ moral courage to defend Tom Robinson made the decision last so long, that Judge Taylor fell “sound asleep” (280). The jury took roughly 6 hours to inescapably convict Tom guilty. The tremendous amount of time it took to convict Tom Robinson made Atticus think “ this may be the shadow of a beginning. That jury took a few hours. An inevitable verdict, maybe, but usually it takes ‘em just a few minutes” (297). Atticus states that maybe things are different, now. Maybe all the evidence against Tom being able to commit the crime was taken into consideration rather than solely the fact that he is black. Atticus’ moral courage defeated the prejudice for a short period of tim , but a period of time nonetheless. If perhaps, the jury had as much moral courage as Atticus, then they would speak up for what is true. Another instance where moral courage oversteps prejudice is when Boo Radley, the Finch’s
My name is Tom Robinson. I lived on the outskirts of Maycomb Country with my wife, Helen, and kids. I worked on Mr. Link Deas's farm as a work hand. He hired me even though I'm a Negro and have a crippled arm; he's a very nice man. Every day on the way to work, I would pass the Ewell's home. They're a white family that lived by the dump. Sometimes I would pass by and help their oldest girl, Mayella, with some of their yard work. None of her younger brothers or sisters seem to help, so I liked to help her. I just thought it was the right thing for me to do, besides, I felt sorry for her. One day, Mayella says that she has something for me to do inside the house. None of the kids were around though, and I got kind of worried. When Mayella shut the door behind me and started kissing me, I knew I was in trouble. I started to push her away when her daddy, Bob, saw us through the window. I knew I was in trouble then, even though none of it was my fault, I was still black and it would be my fault if anyone caught me. When he opened the door, I just started to run. I don't know if Mayella was beaten by her father, but all I knew was I had to run. I ran all the way home, as fast as lighting. I told Helen about everything and she said it would all be okay. But Mr. Ewell had already called Mr. Heck Tate, the sheriff, and said that I had that I had raped and beaten Mayella. I knew that I could be killed on this charge, and I got really nervous. I wondered why everyone believed Mr. Ewell's lies. I couldn't have beaten up Mayella, I only have one good arm! The other one was torn up in a cotton gin when I was a little boy. But when they assigned Atticus Finch to be my lawyer for a trial, I put my soul to rest. Mr. Finch would take care of me no matter what he said. People in town were upset though. They said Mr.
It was right for Atticus to defend Tom Robinson because he wanted to set a good example for his kids. He wants to do
Atticus the lawyer wants to support Tom Robinson a black man, but people in Maycomb dislikes his decision, so does his family. There are all afraid he’ll get hurt from people who don’t like Atticus defending Tom. As again a mob of men came to Atticus threatening him about defending Tom. To Tom it looked like they wanted to hurt Atticus, and Jem is scared about Atticus. “ They were after you, weren’t they?” Jem went to him. “They wanted to get you, didn’t they?”...Then he said gently, “No son, those were our friends.”...I sought Jem and found him in his room, on the bed deep in thought. “Have they been at it?” I asked. “Sort of she won’t let him alone about Tom Robinson. She almost said Atticus was disgracin’ the family. Scout… I’m scared.” “Scared of what?” “Scared about Atticus. Somebody might hurt him.” (Lee 196-197). This shows that Atticus might get hurt for supporting Tom Robinson too hard. He’ll get hurt from a mob who already has warned him. However, Atticus shows Integrity to all people. He shows respect to everyone, either if their white or black. Atticus wants to help Tom Robinson and stand in the courtroom in front of everyone to show that he’s doing the right thing helping a black man, this shows how brave Atticus
Atticus shows empathy towards Tom Robinson when he says that he will take Tom Robinson's case in court. Atticus knew that he would probably lose the court. He didn't want to give up on tom Robinson so
Towards the end of To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus decides to represent a colored man by the man of Tom Robinson, who is being accused of raping Mayella Ewell, Bob Ewell’s daughter. Atticus believes that Tom is innocent, but he does not think that Tom will be found not guilty because of they way the townsfolk treat colored people. They treat them like dirt; like they are worth nothing. Atticus went ahead and represented Tom despite the fact that he knew the townsfolk would call himself and his children names and treat them disrespectfully. Even Scout’s relative Francis said rude things about them. “‘I guess it ain't your fault if Uncle Atticus is a nigger-lover besides, but I'm here to tell you it certainly does mortify the rest of the family-...’ ‘Just what I said. Grandma says it's bad enough he lets you all run wild, but now he's turned out a nigger-lover we'll never be able to walk the streets of Maycomb agin. He's ruinin' the family, that's what he's doin'.’” Atticus set a good example for Scout and Jem. He had a difficult decision to make, but he chose what he thought was
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
Back in the nineteen thirties, African Americans were not given equal or fair treatment, even though legally they had equal rights. Often they would still be seen as less of a person, or not even seen as one by the racist white citizens. Because the African Americans were not treated fairly, they were not allowed to serve on the jury. They would specifically not choose blacks for jury duty. This was just plainly unfair to the defendant because usually, even though they claimed to be fair, the whites would go against the African American just because of their skin color. No matter what the law said, there was always going to be racists in Maycomb County. For example, if there was a white defendant and a white jury, they would be truly and honestly fair, but since Tom Robinson was African American and the jury was purely white, they would favor the white plaintiff over the African American even if they believed he was innocent. Back in those times, it was considered frowned upon if one were to favor an African American over a white. It was considered betrayal and social disgrace. The reader can see a clear example of this when Atticus is continuously bashed for helping the African American, Tom Robinson. He was considered an outcast in several people’s eyes because he went against
was Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird. In this novel Atticus is defending Tom Robinson in his case. He was called a, “Nigger-lover is just one of those terms that don't mean anything—like snot-nose. It's hard to explain—ignorant, trashy people use it when they think somebody's favoring Negroes over and above themselves…. I certainly am [a nigger-lover]. I do my best to love everybody” (Lee 144). This quote illustrate how Atticus has nothing against colored people and treats them as how he would treat his normal clients. During his court trial, the white people kept on questioning why he defends Tom Robinson. “’If you shouldn't be defendin' him, then why are you doin' it?’ ‘For a number of reasons,’ said Atticus” (Lee 100). Atticus knows that society wouldn’t accept his actions and thus, he is practicing civil disobedience. Like King, Finch also practice civil disobedience in the name of
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.