Atticus Finch's Speeches On Racism

Martin Luther King Jr. famously said “I have a dream, that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character”. Even though Atticus Finch is not black, he still thinks they same way as Martin Luther King Jr. and still wants the same for his children: a society with equality for all races. In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, he delivers a persuasive speech in order to free an innocent black man. Even though he does not win the case, Atticus succeeds in making an impact on the future of racism in Maycomb. By using logic in his closing speech, Atticus forces the town to examine their awareness of the prejudice in their own lives.

One last use of symbolism is when Atticus says, “What was the evidence of her offense? Tom Robinson, a human being”. This might have a very important affect on the audience because Atticus is telling the audience that Tom is a normal, hardworking human being just like everybody in the room. However, the jury is using the fact that he is black against him. Atticus is explaining that the only reason he is being accused and put in front of a jury is because the Ewells know that they will have the upper hand in the trial because Tom is one black man going against two white people. Atticus clearly states his stance on the trial with the use of these four allusions throughout his closing argument.

The purpose of this statement is to show the jury that in court, everyone is equal. This could poteniálly sway the jury because they are forced to look beyond race. Without a doubt, Atticus shows the jury that the court is only as fair as the people sitting in it. "I 'm no idealist to believe firmly in the integrity of our courts and in the jury system—that is no ideal to me, it is a living, working reality. Gentlemen, a court is no better than each man of you sitting before me on this jury. A court is only as sound as its jury, and a jury is only as sound as the men who make it up.” Atticus tells the jury this to persuade them to be their best selves and really consider everything going on beside the race in play. A reader could infer that Atticus is using ethos to persuade the jury to really listen and trust him. In conclusion, Atticus’ use of ethos played a very important role in his closing argument. It was extremely useful to show the jury and the rest of the court that they need to trust his credibility in order to make the right decision.

Jem asked Atticus how the jury could convict Tom Robinson when he was obviously and undeniably innocent, Atticus retorts with,”I don’t know but they did it. They’ve done it before and they did it again tonight and they’ll do it again and when they do it-seems only children weep”(213). Unfortunately due to the creed and outlook of the rural community, Tom was convicted due to the reason he was black even though he was proven guiltless. Most if not all the jurists knew Robinson was not guilty, yet convicted him of a crime he didn't commit because the mindset of blacks are bad and whites are good is much more meaningful than law and integrity. Atticus was apprehensive with the case and Harper Lee had him foreshadow the outcome of the trial when he said,” couldn’t possibly be expected to take Tom Robinson’s word against the Ewells”(88). He is saying that the cards have been stacked against anyone who is defending a black person against a white person in a court case; he realizes he is going to lose the case by default. “ Maycomb’s usual disease”(187) was expected to take Tom Robinson’s life by Atticus and the reader. Although, some people like Atticus and the rest of the Finch family never surrendered to the prejudiced way of thinking that everyone had seemed to adjust

Racism is a horrible thing. Saying different nationalities are better than the other, saying colored people do not deserve the same rights as we white people is so degrading and just mean.

Gentlemen, I shall be brief; but I would like to my remaining time with you to remind you how Atticus Finch’s closing argument had a strong basis in logic, however what made him convincing was his pathetic points. Mr. Finch was well aware the jury wanted to convict Tom Robinson from the start. So Mr. Finch developed a plan to persuade the jury using Aristotle three models of rhetoric: Logos, pathos, and Ethos. Mr. Finch would repeatedly use Logos an appeal to logic to make it clear how all evidence pointed away from Mr. Robinson. Atticus understood how irrational the jury when it came to Negros. So he used pathos appeal, to develop a connection between Mr. Robinson and the jury. For this to work to work the connection needed to be stronger

It took an unimaginable amount of courage for Atticus to take the Tom Robinson case knowing he and his children would be harassed by all the other townspeople. For instance, when “My folks said your daddy was a disgrace an' that nigger oughta hang from the water tank” (105). Also, Atticus knew he had a very low chance of succeeding in winning the case, but he took it anyways. He knows the town will think differently about him solely because he is defending a black man. He also knows that his children will be shown a lot of hatred. Even knowing this, Atticus takes the case and tries his best. Not only did he know he would take hatred, he also knew he would lose. But, he knew this case would define who he was “every lawyer gets at least one case in his lifetime that affects him personally”(96). While talking to the Judge he knows that he will most likely not win, but that does not change his mind. He knows just because Tom Robinson is black that he will not win. The Jury will see the white man who claims his white daughter was raped and believe him with no doubt. No matter what Atticus says to try to change the jury’s mind, he knows he can only try his best. To summarize, Atticus shows courage knowing not only that the town would hate him, but also that he would lose the

Atticus is a man with morals. When he sees a person, white or black in need of justice he is always there to help, no matter the cost. In Maycomb County when a black man is on trial he is automatically seen as guilty. When Atticus was chosen to defend Tom Robinson many of the people in the community took it upon themselves to pay him a visit. It was understood by everyone that Tom had no chance and some of the men in the county went to Atticus to see if he would drop the case. Atticus knows though that Tom is innocent and deserves to have a fair trial. “Link, that boy might go to the chair, but he’s not going until the truth’s told” (Lee 146) . Atticus demands justice no matter who it is or what they’ve been accused of. He understands what needs to be done to give those who have been wrongly accused an honest hearing.

Tom Robinson had been accused of raping a white woman, and Mr. Finch is his lawyer. Because of racism in this time period; Atticus had no hope of winning the case, but winning wasn’t his ultimate goal. He fought for Tom Robinson because he felt that everyone deserved justice in the court no matter what race. “Our courts have their faults, as does any human institution, but in this country our courts are the great levelers, and in our courts all men are created equal” (Lee 274). The lawyer wasn’t fighting an impossible case for the challenge of winning. He was arguing for this man so that he could walk with courage, knowing he had done the right

“ People generally see what they look for and hear what they listen for.” by Atticus Finch. Atticus Finch is just one example used by the Author Harper Lee in the book To Kill a Mockingbird. There are many powerful people in this book but some of the best are the quiet but impactful ones. They have many opportunities to speak up and share their opinions like everyone else but instead choose to stand out and say it in their own ways. The quietest people are often the most powerful. Some people might disagree and say because they are quit they don’t have anything good or powerful to say.

Atticus' argument for Tom Robinson was perfectly executed, and it was blatantly obvious that Tom was innocent. Even if the jury (pre) decided Tom Robinson as guilty, the partiality and discrimination were evident in the trial. The text state, "Atticus Finch won’t win, he can’t win, but he’s the only man in these parts who can keep a jury out so long in a case like that. And I thought to myself, well, we’re making a step—it’s just a baby- step, but it’s a step.”" Like Miss Maudie said, Atticus' eloquence and strong arguments created a ripple in the stone-hard racism in County. In conclusion, I gather that Atticus did the correct thing by defending Tom Robinson. His actions allowed him to successfully raise his children morally and possibly change the outcome of Maycomb's future, even if it caused

Atticus exclaims in his speech that “all men are not created equal” in order to draw attention to the treatment blacks receive on a daily basis. Atticus argues that people claim that everyone is equal when they actually are not. He emphasizes that blacks are treated harshly because they look different compared to others. He shows that people are discriminated against merely because of their skin color. Atticus reveals that Robinson is only portrayed as guilty because the human race is too selfish to let others share the same rights due to their skin color. Atticus beats down the white’s perspective on African-Americans in order to make them feel remorseful about the way they treat others. He appeals to the jury’s morals to show that they must do the right thing and give everyone a chance to do good rather than imprisoning a man because they want to. Finch tries to convey to the audience that people are selfish beings who only attack others because they can. But Atticus also expresses that nobody is the same and that “some people have more [opportunities]… some men make more money… some ladies make better cakes… [and that] some people are born gifted” (Lee, 233). Atticus indicates that nobody has the same characteristics, genes, or personalities. He implies that by discriminating against people only because they are different, they are also discriminating against themselves. People do not have the right to shame others because they are different whenever everyone else is as well. Atticus shames individuals because they treat blacks poorly for the same concepts that white people have. Atticus tries to open the audience’s eyes about the crazy, psychotic world in order to allow them to realize that people

Atticus, by defending Tom Robinson, is showing compassion and tolerance. Atticus, a white lawyer, stands up for Tom Robinson, who is black, and believes that everyone should have an equal chance in court. When Atticus was appointed to defend Tom Robinson, he believed that Tom is innocent, as he did not commit the crime. Atticus says, “ if I didn’t, I couldn’t

How do you change a mind of someone already decided against you? It takes a special kind of person to be able to persuade people to join your views and sway them from their own. Two men wrote and delivered speeches that demonstrated this special talent of persuasion. One man was real, Martin Luther King Junior and the other, Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee, was fictional. Martin Luther King Junior was a civil rights activist during the civil rights era who gave many speeches on equality of races. The speech in discussion, Martin Luther King Junior's "I Have a Dream" was just one of his many powerful and productive speeches. Atticus Finch is a fictional character in To Kill a Mockingbird whom is defended a black man in a rape case that took place in a very traditional minded town. Both men attempt to convince their respective audiences to go against what the normal tendency would be and to stand up against the improper behavior. However, out of the two men's speeches, Martin Luther King Junior provides a stronger reasoning and is overall more persuasive.

Atticus uses a combination of convincing and logical evidence, but is also very passionate as he is not doing this as a “lip” service. He was doing this, as he could not live with himself if he did not do his best to defend Tom Robinson despite the chances of winning the court case. The use of emotive language and well-reasoned arguments makes the case more persuasive and plausible. Atticus is rather astute in showing compassion for Mayella, this shows honesty and integrity in his character therefore the jury is more inclined to believe him over the witnesses. Atticus makes a direct plea to the jury but he does this on a personal level. Atticus pauses to create more impact as it is dramatically effective as it focuses our attention to the truth. Atticus throws the burden of blame on Mayella making her culpable of the crime that happened and not his client. He uses repetition to emphasise his case and evidence. Atticus’s tone becomes increasing aggressive and uncompromising however, he remains courteous and dignified throughout. Atticus highlights to the jury the sheer arrogance of the witnesses of the state who believed their word would not be questioned over a black man. Atticus shouted “TEMERITY” as he had become so frustrated. This is the only point in the speech where