Atticus's Injustice

The book, To Kill a Mockingbird, is an American classic and has been a staple in high schools for many years. The main storyline that this novel follows is of Scout, a young girl, living in the sleepy town of Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930s. It follows the case of Tom Robinson, an African American man, and how he was accused and convicted of rape. In prison, Tom was shot and killed because he was said to have tried to escape. While Mayella is the one who is saying that Tom raped her, the real person who should be to blame is her abusive father. As is quite apparent, Bob Ewell is the person who is most responsible for the death of Tom Robinson.

I’m the same in the house as outside of the house. In the book To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee Atticus shows he is fair to everyone no matter where he is. Atticus believes everyone should be treated equal. No matter who Atticus puts in danger he treats everyone fairly. Atticus shows his children how to respect people and treat them right no matter what the other person does or says to them. Atticus symbolizes equality and justice not only in the courtroom but outside of the courtroom.

In Maycomb County, the residents live in a world of racism and injustice, so much so that even young children are affected by the results. Through standing with Atticus and his decisions, Scout undergoes constant indirect racism when her cousin says, “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-” (Lee, pg. 94). Even with family, Scout begins to understand that not everyone shares her close family’s views, and that she may even be discriminated against for protecting her and her father’s beliefs. To add, Atticus always stands his ground, though the things and the people he defends cannot always win, such as when his only evidence is “a black man’s word against the Ewells’” (Lee, pg. 100 ). Atticus can believe in someone regardless of their skin color, yet the majority of his town is filled with racists who won’t believe him, even with

Atticus says “The main one is, if I didn’t I couldn’t hold my head up in town, I couldn’t represent this country in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem no to something again” (100). Atticus is telling Scout why he has to take the case of Tom Robinson. This quote shows Atticus was a nice man that wanted to protect a black man from being falsely accused of a crime he didn’t commit. As the story continues, Atticus goes on and defends Tom and makes Bob Ewell look like a fool. Scout explains “Mr.Bob Ewell stopped Atticus on the post office corner, spat in his face, and told him he’d get him if it took the rest of his life” (290). Bob Ewell is angry at Atticus for humiliating him in court and defending a black man against him. This quote shows Bob was so angry at Atticus that he tried to kill his children Jem and

If you were put in a situation where the outcome is inevitable would you still do everything in your power to change it? In “To Kill A Mockingbird” Atticus ‘a main character decides to defend Tom Robinson a black man accused of a crime he didn’t commit. This is odd to other townsfolk who criticize him for sympathizing african americans but he does not let that stop him. This is a groundbreaking book since it is written by a Caucasian women named Harper Lee in the 1960s. Even though Atticus knows he doesn’t have a chance at winning Tom Robinson case, because Tom is black so it will automatically be difficult for him to be found not guilty due to the jury most likely being completely racist but it does make sense for atticus to still defend him.

To start off, I’d just like to say that I respect Atticus for defending Tom, despite knowing that he’d be dealin’ with some crude feedbacks just because he’s protecting a negro. The people around my neighborhood felt thankful to Atticus seeing that he was the only one who actually had the courage to represent Tom Robinson. I know for a fact that this is not just cuz he’s black, but because Tom’s as innocent as he looks and doesn’t deserve any of this. At least this time we got someone with authority who could at least back him up.

2. In chapter nine when Atticus is chosen by Judge Taylor to defend Tom Robinson a big burden is left on his family. Though he was very willing to do it, Atticus had to risk putting his children on the line because of angry people in Maycomb Tom Robinson was accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a local farm girl and daughter of Bob Ewell. Despite Bob Ewell’s reputation of spending his relief checks on alcohol instead of taking care of

While Tom Robinson lost his innocence in the courtroom, Jem and Scout, Atticus’s children, were put through event where their innocence was lost. Throughout the novel Jem and Scout witness and go through a lot of things no kid should have to go through. When Atticus was hired to defend Tom Robinson not only did the backlash of the town affect Atticus but it was rubbing off onto his children. Jem and

This conversation with Scout further defines Atticus’ character. When he says this, he is actually saying that his whole life he has done what is right and just. Deep down he knows that defending this Tom Robinson is the right thing to do, despite the racist views of the Maycomb community. Since Atticus lives a life doing what is right, he wouldn’t feel comfortable denying Tom Robinson his chance to be proven innocent. If he didn’t give Tom that chance it would go against his principles, knowing that the country didn't care about the justice of others just because blacks are ‘lower’ than whites. Atticus is teaching his daughter,Scout, a lesson explaining to her that before listening to other people, first you must listen to yourself. Atticus is against the society that wishes Tom Robinson to be found guilty while he is actually innocent. Since Atticus lives with integrity, believing in good and doing what is right, he must defend Tom, knowing full well that Tom is innocent. Atticus is trying to explain that since both Jem and Scout are still young they won’t understand why he is defending Tom

No lawyer in the Maycomb County were willing to take Tom’s case, which showed that Atticus was taking a stand for what he believed even if he did not have support from his town. They did not have the support from their town, because many believed to not trust a colored folk due to not knowing where they come from and what they were used to. Him taking the case created a big fuss in the town in how they believed it was wrong for Atticus to take the case of Tom, they thought it was not appropriate for a white man to believe colored folks. The fuss that was created also affected the lives of Jem and Scout Finch because their classmates from their school would make fun of them because of the case Atticus was defending. Atticus always told them to ignore them and always have their head up because they were prejudging someone without the entire intel on the

After that, Atticus explains that if he didn’t take up the trial for Tom, he “wouldn’t be able to hold up his head in town or tell Scout or Jem what to do” (Lee, 101). This hints to Scout about the gravity of the situation, and to how much race should matter.

Tom Robinson, an african american man is persecuted for the rape of Mayella Ewell. Atticus Finch, a lawyer and the father of main characters Jem and Scout, defends Tom. Atticus is one of the only people in Maycomb who believes Tom Robinson is innocent. Many examples of evidence are presented to the jury that makes Tom Robinson clearly innocent. The only reason the jury names Tom guilty is because

In the story To Kill a Mockingbird, Mayella Ewell accuses Tom Robinson, a black man, of raping her even though her father is abusing her. Atticus Finch, Tom Robinson’s defender, was a local attorney who Mr. Ewell hated because he was going against him and his daughter. To get revenge on Atticus, Mr. Ewell attempted to murder Jem and Scout, Atticus’ children. Boo Radley, a local shut-in, saved the children and stabbed Mr Ewell. Sheriff Tate lied and said that Mr. Ewell fell on his own knife.

Atticus is the town’s most respected lawyer. He is not wealthy, but he is well off in the community and is very kind towards everyone. As a single parent, he faces the world, raising his two children with his maid, Calpurnia, who experiences better conditions and responsibilities than other African Americans of her time, due to Atticus’ beliefs. He has a reputation for being an open-minded, fair man, and a unique personality that is overflowing with honesty. He has been assigned a case of defending a black man who is apparently accused of rape. Now Atticus is both loved and unloved by the townspeople. Since they live in the South during the 1930’s, Atticus gives a lot of advice to his children, Scout and Jem. Atticus tells Scout and Jem that they should not say anything about a person especially when they do not know that person. Atticus describes what he means in a quote “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”(Lee 39). Atticus defends a black man named Tom Robinson, who is accused of raping a girl. Atticus has the confidence and the courage to defend Tom and prove that he is innocent. Scout does not believe that her father is nice enough or has the courage to defend Tom. Atticus proves that

This quote describes how society can change what someone does by majority rule but, they can’t change the way a person thinks. Individuals are the only one who can control their own minds. When Atticus said this statement to Scout, he exemplified the Tom Robinson case by talking about why he was fighting for an unwinnable case. Moreover, during that time, everyone was very racist. Atticus was the only one to see that everyone equal. To be at peace with himself, he wanted to do the right thing and follow his heart. I agree with Atticus because I see this quote being properly used in everyday life. For example, democracy and rules can determine how a group acts, but it can’t control what the person is thinking. My conscience is not ruled