Ethical Issues In To Kill A Mockingbird

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During the time period of the 1930’s racial disputes broke out both inside and outside the courtroom. This is clearly depicted by Harper Lee in her famous novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. The main racial dispute breaks out in the second part of the novel when a young African American man is wrongly accused of rape from a white father and daughter. Atticus who is a lawyer is appointed this challenging case and is faced with the tough decision whether to throw the case or face criticism and fight for what is truly right. Many people that may have grown up in a less developed society may see that he risked a great deal in taking this case including the safety of his children. Based on the new lookout of the country many people in today’s society …show more content…

The struggle becomes clear when he is faced with the case of Mayella Ewell versus a timid black man, Tom Robinson. He knows he will certainly face ridicule if he defends a “negro” but he also knows that if he does not he will show his kids that racism is good. For example, he explains to Scout, “The main one is...I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again.” (100) This quote shows that Atticus does not care about what the town thinks but only what his kids think. He understands that by taking this challenging case he shows his children not to be racist and help everybody just as he did. But, if he refuses to take this case he will be showing his children that running away from conflict and racism is okay. Another example of his push to have them grow up to be good people is, “...pray that I can get Jem and Scout through it without bitterness, and most of all, without Maycomb’s usual disease.”(117) This quote shows that Atticus does not want Jem and Scout to catch the disease of racism from the town. That is also why he sets an example because if he does not they will mimic the actions of the other townspeople. Overall it was a good idea for Atticus to help Tom Robinson because he needed to instill the equality beliefs in his children that are shown when he defends Mr.

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