Brotherly Love in To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee

495 Words1 Page
bulb-icon

Recommended: To kill a mockingbird movie analysis

The book To Kill A Mockingbird is set in the Great Depression. In this time of economic loss, racism is present in the county of Maycomb, Alabama. In this time of distress the presence of Brotherly love is important. In this troubled town there are many examples of brotherly love. The ones that stand out to me are: The relationship that Boo has with the children, Atticus and Tom Robinson, and the way that Calpurnia treats the Finch's. In this story Atticus defends Tom Robinson with compassion. Atticus is a very respected upper class white. He comes from an old family and works for the state legislature. He was asked to just be the lawyer not to actually defend. When Atticus states, "I'm simply defending a Negro his name's Tom Robinson. (Lee 75) I think that the quote secures the position that Atticus clearly wants to defend him. He wants everyone in the courtroom to know the truth. "That boy may go to the chair, but not till the truth's been told….."(Lee 46) When Atticus says this I begin to see that his courage is amazing. In this time racism is high and Atticus stands up for what is right no matter if his life is endangered. Even though there was evidence proving that Tom Robinson was innocent the lop-sided jury found Tom guilty. Atticus insured Tom that he would make an appeal. Atticus has a certain pressure to work on this case. He is punished and despised by the racist whites that think he is doing the wrong thing because Tom Robinson is a black man. At one point in the story a mob of whites come to the jail seeking Tom Robinson. Atticus knows they are going to make trouble for Tom so he stands up to them. He says, "' You can turn around and go home now Walter. Heck Tate's around here somewhere. '" This says he is an unselfish and courageous person. He also feels pressure from the blacks. They will accept him if he defends Tom but they wont if he does not. Lastly and the thing that makes him do it the most is his own conscience. I think he would not forget the time of the trial and have guilt for the rest of his life if he didn't try for Tom Robinson. Atticus telling the reasons why he is doing the case, "'the main one is, if I didn't, I couldn't hold my head up in town, I couldn't represent this country in legislature, I couldn't even tell you or Jem what not to do.

Show More
Related

  • Who Is Atticus's Speech In To Kill A Mockingbird

    785 Words  | 2 Pages

    In his introduction, Atticus cautions the jury to be objective in their verdict, reminding them the doctrine of presumed innocence. He explains, “Gentlemen, I shall be brief, but I would like to use my remaining time with you to remind you that this case is not a difficult one, it requires no minute sifting of complicated facts, but it does require you to be sure beyond reasonable doubt as to the guilt of the defendant.” His use of the word “but” is cautionary, warning the jurors that there is no place for personal bias in the court and highlighting their legal obligation. Additionally, he employs an impassioned voice in his emotional appeal, drawing attention to the ethical question of the trial. When he states, “This case is as simple as black and white,” he acknowledges the ideological nature of it, expressing distaste for the racial prejudice that brought Tom Robinson under the court’s gaze.

    Read More

  • Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird

    1141 Words  | 3 Pages

    Childhood is a continuous time of learning, and of seeing mistakes and using them to change your perspectives. In the book To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee illustrates how two children learn from people and their actions to respect everyone no matter what they might look like on the outside. To Kill A Mockingbird tells a story about two young kids named Scout and her older brother Jem Finch growing up in their small, racist town of Maycomb, Alabama. As the years go by they learn how their town and a lot of the people in it aren’t as perfect as they may have seemed before. When Jem and Scout’s father Atticus defends a black man in court, the town’s imperfections begin to show. A sour, little man named Bob Ewell even tries to kill Jem and Scout all because of the help Atticus gave to the black man named Tom Robinson. Throughout the novel, Harper Lee illustrates the central theme that it is wrong to judge someone by their appearance on the outside, or belittle someone because they are different.

    Read More

  • Heart Of A Lion In Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird

    1344 Words  | 3 Pages

    Yet he took the case with no hesitation. Atticus knows the difference between what is fair and what is true justice. He is well aware that whites and blacks have many differences with one another, but is also educated enough to know that there truly is no diversity in equity, and tries to teach everyone including his children this. ”You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view- until you climb into his skin and walk around it.(30)” Atticus is encouraging Scout to respect everyone and consider their true potential without considering false accusations in this quote. He applies what he teaches to his children to the people attending the Tom Robinson trial. Atticus is just one man, but with an unprecedented amount of sense of pride, intelligence, and justice. He reflects the image of the town’s people by showing them what they’ve allowed themselves to become based on their beliefs. He genuinely expresses their deepest consternation. In this quote he tells the audience what they are afraid to hear, but need to hear, “She was white, and she tempted a Negro. She did something that in our society is unspeakable: she kissed a black man. Not an old uncle, but a strong young Negro man. No code mattered to her before she broke it, but it came crashing down on her afterwards.(272)” After stating his point and releasing the profound truth Atticus causes for Mayella and Bob Ewell to lose their composure. Nevertheless people of most of the white people of Maycomb continue to refuse to believe that a white woman kissed a black man. But they undoubtedly believe that a black man with a useless left hand beat and raped an “innocent” white woman. Atticus could have predicted the outcome from before he even took the case and refused to defend Tom Robinson. But he

    Read More

  • Essay On Atticus Win In To Kill A Mockingbird

    1021 Words  | 3 Pages

    The main reason Atticus should take the stand and defend Tom Robinson is because he needs to protect his honor. This is illustrated by Atticus’s words,

    Read More

  • Theme Of Heroism In To Kill A Mockingbird

    789 Words  | 2 Pages

    Atticus Finch shows, in many ways, the true definition of a hero, but no situation was more important than the Tom Robinson trial. In Maycomb, the thought of taking a negro’s word instead of a white man’s was ridiculous to the citizens, especially over a matter as serious as a black man raping a white woman. Regardless of this information, Atticus still takes on Tom Robinson’s case and tries to make as big of a difference as possible. When Scout asks him if he thinks that he will win the case, Atticus subtly replies “No, honey” (76). Atticus goes on to explain, “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try and win” (76). Basically, Atticus believes that just because it is unlikely that he will win, it does not mean that he should just give up without trying. Throughout all the discrimination, Atticus remains tough and tries to achieve his goal, no matter how hard it is. This was an example of moral courage. Even Scout knows how hard her father is trying by comparing Atticus’ efforts to “watching Atticus walk down the street, raise a rifle to his shoulder and pull the trigger, but...

    Read More

  • Atticus Ethos In To Kill A Mockingbird

    1449 Words  | 3 Pages

    Tom Robinson has a wife and three kids. Atticus wants the jury and the people in the courtroom to understand the weight of their decision. If they say that he is guilty, then he will be sentenced to death and his children will grow up without a father. No matter how much someone might hate another, they should never do that to a person's family.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On To Kill A Mockingbird

    1561 Words  | 4 Pages

    This type of discrimination made African American victims of jails and crimes that they did not even consider doing but were thought of doing because of racial segregation enforcement (popularity?) within the Southern society of the US. However, Atticus was different and believed that Tom robinson is innocent since he understood (understands?) how people discriminate others and was aware (is aware) of different types of prejudice (in that time period). So, due to Atticus’ good morals and values, he was willing to try his best to support the truth (who was

    Read More

  • Compassion and Tolerance in To Kill A Mockingbird

    629 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • c

    659 Words  | 2 Pages

    Atticus should not give up his character, parental authority, and position in town to please the racist beliefs of others in Maycomb. Atticus cannot stand racism and says, "As you grow older, you'll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don't you forget it—whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash. " Atticus should take a stand and defend Tom Robinson, to treat his children with valuable lessons and to keep his conscience clean. For these reasons, it does make sense for Atticus Finch to defend Tom Robinson in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

    Read More

  • To Kill A Mockingbird Essays: Doing the Right Thing

    807 Words  | 2 Pages

    Atticus remained a pillar of righteousness in a town whose moral foundation was weak to say the least.  When Atticus took Tom Robinson's case, he didn't treat the case differently from any other he might take on.  He knew that there was no way that Tom would be saved from death no matter how well he defended him.  From opening to closing statements, Atticus remained vigilant in his defense of Tom.

    Read More

  • Atticus Taking A Stand Analysis

    521 Words  | 2 Pages

    Atticus is fighting for equal rights. In chapter 20, Atticus says ,”There is not a person in this courtroom who has never told a lie,.. never done an immoral

    Read More

  • To Kill A Mockingbird Courage Essay

    833 Words  | 2 Pages

    Firstly, Atticus demonstrated mental courage when he undertook the task of defending Tom Robinson, a black man who was wrongly accused of rape, in court. He had to persevere through many hardships in order to make a statement in the community. Atticus knew he would not win the case against the all white jury and like Mrs. Dubose in her struggle against morphine, Atticus lost before he even began. Nevertheless, Atticus knew that Tom was innocent and was willing to stand up for him because nobody else would. Since Atticus stayed true to himself and did only what is morally correct, he fought this case with great determination. He wanted the people of Maycomb to know the truth about what happened to Mayella Ewell, but even the truth would not free Tom Robinson. "That boy might go to the chair, but he's not going till the truth's told." (Lee, 146) Atticus showed true courage in going against Maycomb, a mostly prejudice town. He was given names like “nigger lover” and was looked down upon heavily but that did not stop him. On the other hand, Mayella Ewell decided to lie about the case because othe...

    Read More

  • To Kill A Mockingbird Atticus Loyalty Quotes

    512 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout the whole book, Atticus’ proves time and time again his remarkable courage, particularly during the time of Tom Robinson’s trial. No matter what challenges he faces, he always demonstrates bravery and valor while standing up for the truth. When he took up the task of defending Tom over the alleged rape of Mayella Ewell, he knew he was walking into a dangerous situation supporting a black man in a courtroom in Alabama, and yet he boldly chose to affirm what he believed was right and to argue against Tom’s accusers. Even when “Mr. Ewell approached him, cursed him, spat on him, and threatened to kill him” (248) after the trial, he handled the situation calmly and fearlessly by ignoring him and continuing on his way. Because of this remarkable quality in Atticus’ life, the people of Maycomb love and admire him.

    Read More

  • Theme Of Compassion In To Kill A Mockingbird

    1289 Words  | 3 Pages

    (P.108), even when he was called "nigger lover" by so many. Above all, the events of Tom Robinson’s case clearly indicate Atticus and his strong compassion and understanding.

    Read More

  • Theme of Courage in To Kill A Mocking Bird

    792 Words  | 2 Pages

    To Kill A Mocking Bird-courage Within the novel "to kill a mocking bird" the character Atticus finch defines courage as, "Courage is when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. " Atticus takes the first step by being courageous to take the Tom Robinson case, defying the towns liking of prejudice, even his own sister thinks that he is disgracing the family by taking the case he explains with concern " The only thing we've got is a black man's word against the Ewells'. The evidence boils down to you-did-I-didn't. The jury couldn't possibly be expected to take Tom Robinson's word against the Ewells'.

    Read More

More about Brotherly Love in To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee

Open Document