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Atticus Finch is a trusted and arguably one of the best lawyers in Maycomb, in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. He got asked to take a case to defend Tom Robinson, a black man in town. Atticus decided to take the case because he knew that he had to. He could never find a reason why not to because Tom was a man with no one to help him and Atticus knew he was innocent. It was the right thing to do, to defend a defenseless man. He also wanted to show his children and the town that not all blacks are horrible people. He doesn’t want his children to think the same way the town does about Tom. The first reason why it makes sense is for Atticus to defend Tom, is his integrity and self pride that forces him to take the case. Scout finally found …show more content…
When Scout came home from school she was mad at Miss Caroline so, she went to Atticus to beg him not to bring her back to school. But Atticus told her to do one thing to help her understand why some people do things, he says, “ You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… until you climb into his skin and walk around in it. “(39) Atticus didn’t want Scout to have any presumptions of Miss Caroline or anyone. So, when Atticus took the case he didn’t want Scout to have any of the same presumptions as the town has on the black community. When Atticus and Uncle Jack were talking to each other, Atticus starts talking about how the trial might affect Jem and Scout. Atticus says,” I hope and pray I can get Jem and Scout through it without bitterness, and most of all, without catching Maycomb’s usual disease. ”(117) Atticus feels like he has to take the case and teach his children the truth about the black community. If he doesn’t do this he missed an opportunity to teach his children a life lesson and risk having them having them catch “ Maycomb’s usual disease “ which is racism. Atticus finds many ways to teach his children lessons and he would’ve missed out on an opportunity to teach them a major lesson if he didn’t take this …show more content…
Although, it is true that his children were put in danger when Bob Ewell went out for revenge by attacking Jem and Scout after the festival. After the attack Scout described the attack, she said, “ they were bammin’ pullin’ me toward the road… Mr. Ewell yanked him down… there was this funny noise-Jem hollered… That was Jem’s arm. “(361) If Atticus didn’t take the case to support Tom, his children wouldn’t have been attacked by Mr. Ewell. Atticus could’ve avoided all of this by just saying no to Tom’s case. But, he wouldn’t have because if he didn’t take the case, Jem and Scout would have negative presumptions on the black community just like the town. They would’ve learned to take on “Maycomb’s usual disease” of racism without Atticus teaching them a lesson by taking the case. Atticus would risk a little bit of his children’s safety for the knowledge of equal treatment of everyone that would’ve bettered their lives in the
Atticus Finch from, To Kill a Mockingbird, is characterized as a wise man that is an exceptional father to his children and always teaches them the right perspective about life and the people around them. He was appointed to the lawyer for a black man who “raped” a white woman. This was a bold task because it was a white woman’s word against a black man’s. While Atticus took this challenge as an opportunity to really try and win this case, everyone saw it as already lost. Atticus wanted the trial to be fair and for it to be evident that Tom, the man he was defending, was innocent. He show...
During the court scene a lot of difficult things happen and it becomes a very hard case for Atticus to solve and explain. Jem and Scout are both very upset about Tom Robinson being accused of the things he didn’t do. Atticus begins to tell Jem that it’s going to be okay and that he wants Jem to not worry about what the outcome is. Atticus is trying to teach him that even if the case doesn’t go the way they wanted and the way that it was supposed to go, that they still did the right thing and that they would keep trying to help Tom Robinson in any way they could. This is what Atticus tells Jem, “Link, that boy might go to the chair, but he’s not going till the truth’s told.” “Atticus’s voice was even. And you know what the truth
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...
When most people were against him and are trying to convince him not to, Atticus was determined to continue defending Tom Robinson (an African American who was accused of raping a white lady name Mayella Ewell - Mr. Ewell's daughter). (Make it active voice ?) Due to his good morals, Atticus felt like he needs to help Tom Robinson “This case, Tom Robinson’s case, is something that goes to the essence of a man’s conscience --- Scout, I couldn’t go to church and worship God if I didn’t try to help that man” (108). As addressed in To Kill a Mockingbird, Jim Crow laws manipulated individuals ethics to think that blaming African Americans is fine since all they do is not good (change the wordings). 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 right or something) and help Tom Robinson which makes him a great parent because (he is a person of morals?) of his good morals and values (delete morals and values?). Atticus (atticus’s ?) belief (of noting using one’s power to hurt each other … ?) that people should not harm each other should be admired. For instance, Miss Maudie (Atticus neighbour) was confirming to Scout that what Atticus said about Mockingbirds is right “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They
Scout stands up for her beliefs and rights when Francis calls Atticus rude and offensive names. She gets tells Francis, “He is not!... I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about, but you better cut it out this red hot minute” (83). The argument had started when Francis called Atticus a “n*****-lover”. Scout became defensive and stood up for Atticus because she knew that Atticus was a fair man who didn’t believe in racism. He stood up for black people because he believed that everyone was equal regardless of race. Scout, along with her father believed that black people should be treated fairly as well so when Francis called Atticus rude names she stood up for him because she knew that Atticus was a fair and equal man. This shows that you do not need to be an adult to understand the world because most of the people in Maycomb were racist such as Bob Ewell. Despite her young age, Scout stood up for her father and her beliefs and knew that not all black people were bad people. Additionally, Jem stands up for his rights and his father when Mrs. Dubose says something rude about black people. Scout describes Jem’s attitude when she thinks, “Jem had probably stood as much gruff about Atticus lawing for n***** as much as I, and I took it for granted that he kept his temper” (102). This shows that although Jem had a pretty steady temper, he lost it when Mrs. Dubose said that Atticus was “no better than the n****** and trash he works for”. Jem, like his father didn’t discriminate against black people unlike the rest of the people in Maycomb. While he did get heated, it was because he stood up for Atticus and his beliefs which were to not judge black people. There was already so much prejudice in Maycomb and Jem regardless of his young age, stood up for what he thought was right and protected black people and his father. This lesson of standing up for what you think
Some might say that Atticus is not an admirable parent and puts his children in awful situations. But Atticus has a motive for his actions. When Atticus went to defend Tom Robison from the mob, his children followed him out of curiosity. By trying to be polite to Mr. Cunningham, Scout ends up stopping the circumstance before something awful happens. “‘What’s the matter?’ I asked. Atticus said nothing. I looked around and up at Mr. Cunningham, whose face was equally impassive. Then he did a peculiar thing. He squatted down and took me by both shoulders. ‘I’ll tell him you said hey, little lady,’ he said. Then he straightened up and waved a big paw. ‘Let’s clear out,’ he called. ‘Let’s get going boys.’” (Page 154, To kill a mockingbird) Although Scout and Jem shouldn’t have been out late and in the midst of a mob, Atticus wouldn’t have let anything happen to them. As a result of the children showing up at the jail, a huge problem is avoided just by their presence.
First, the trial of Tom Robinson is an eye-opening experience for Jem and Scout; there they discover hatred, child abuse, and lying. Seeing pure hate is new and strange for Jem and Scout. They know that prejudice does exist, but listening to and watching Bob Ewell during the trial is astounding to them because Bob Ewell abhors all blacks, especially Tom Robinson. Bob’s daughter, Mayella, makes an advance on Tom, which is absolutely unspeakable and shameful at that time. In addition, Bob Ewell’s hate grows (especially for Atticus) because after the trial his reputation and respect is ruined, even though he does not have a high degree of integrity to begin with. Also, through the
He is trying to help her understand that winning is not the only reason you should ever do something. If you want to follow certain beliefs, then you can’t speak one way and sit idly by when it is time for you to actually step up to what you claimed. At the end of the book, you can see that Scout understands this, because she thinks Tom should be innocent, and is horrified by all of the acts of violence surrounding him after the trial (him getting shot 17 times and Bob attacking her and Jem because their father defended him.) Another character, Dolphus Raymond, expresses this somewhat similarly. He likes the black people and puts effort into being with them - something that is frowned upon by the community. Despite this, he continues to socialize with them. However, he fakes being drunk in order to help the rest of Maycomb calm down about it. While this isn’t as direct as Atticus simply accepting outright that he must defend a black man and trying his best to do so, it is still very similar. In this quote. Harper Lee is looking to teach her readers that you shouldn’t give up just because you know you will lose. You need to stand up for what you think is right. She wants us to realize that it is the effort that you put into something that matters. A battle lost can lead to a war
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.
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
There are some that may suggest that as a parent your ultimate job is to protect your children from harm, and that although Atticus may not understand the extent of what he is subjecting his children to, he is still in the wrong for even taking on a case that may have negative consequences for his children. Maycomb is filled with a hatred that is inherited. It is a way for people to separate themselves from things they fear or don’t understand. Sadly, people of the town focus on a race instead of the person, or their actions and their hatred comes in the form of prejudice. Prejudice gives people the
People line up outside the jail and heckle Tom, and Bob Ewell is continuously harassing Tom's wife. But yet the first thing the citizens of Maycomb do is blame Tom. In chapter 25 it says, “To Maycomb, Tom's death was typical. Typical of a nigger to cut and run. Typical of a nigger's mentality to have no plan, no thought for the future, just run blind first chance he saw...You know how they are.” The death of Tom Robinson shows us of the tragic injustice done to Tom. The whole town was against the innocent man right from the beginning. Just because he was a black man and they couldn’t accept him as a human being of the world, he was guilty before there was a trial. The harsh reality of what Scout and Jem see brings them to maturity sooner than Atticus had wanted it to. Atticus had tried so hard to keep the ugliness from the kids, but they were thrown right in the middle of it. Jem and Scout saw first hand just how mean, hateful, and racist people can be due to a lack of compassion that leads to demeaning prejudice toward others. By the town reacting the way they did, just goes to show us what the people of Maycomb really thought of
A small city nestled in the state of Alabama, Maycomb has got its faults, just like any other place in the world, but one of its main faults or (pg.88) “Maycomb's usual disease,” as Atticus calls it in the book is prejudice. Jem and Scout learn a lot about prejudice when a black man named Tom Robinson is accused of raping a white woman named Mayella Ewell and their father, Atticus, is called on to be his lawyer. They realize the hate that people have buried deep within their heart when they see a black man accused of doing something only because of his color. On pg.241, Scout starts understanding this and thinks, “Atticus had used every tool available to free men to save Tom Robinson, but in the secret courts of men's hearts Atticus had no case. Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed.” As the case continues, up until the death of Tom Robinson, Jem and Scout learn more and more about prejudice and how the hate that people have towards others causes them to take wrong actions. They also see how unfair it is that a white man can get treated better and think of himself better than a black man only because he was born white. This prejudice and the trial cause Jem and Scout to get in argum...
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.