Examples Of Atticus Closing Argument

The defense lawyer, Atticus Finch, in his closing argument proves the innocence of Tom Robinson. Finch’s purpose is to persuade the jury that Tom Robinson is not guilty, but someone else is. In his closing argument Atticus Finch uses unquestionable evidence and credibility to sway the jury to disregard their biased conscience and to not convict Tom Robinson. Atticus Finch begins his closing argument by emphasizing the case’s simplicity to alter the conscience of the jury.

Robinson. Atticus makes clear that it was no accident and that it was purely a desire. Recognizing how serious her mistake was would then give Mayella the motive to frame Tom Robinson of rape and cover up her sins, knowing that Maycomb did not condone such behavior. To further prove Tom Robinsions innocence to the court Atticus explains the unjust situation Miss Mayella has put him in stating, “And so a quiet, respectable, humble Negro who had the unmitigated temperament to ‘feel sorry’ for a white woman has had to put his word against two white peoples.” (p. 12)

Atticus’s use of pathos provokes the feeling of superiority in the jury. Pathos is used in Atticus’s appeal when he says, “… in the cynical confidence that their testimony would not be doubted” (273). Atticus insinuates the reason the Ewells do not anticipate anyone to inquire about their testimony is because they are white. With his words, cynical and would not be doubted, he induces a feeling in the jurors of abhorrence towards the Ewells. The jury then feels like their status is higher than the Ewells as the jury has the power to question their testimony.

This improves his argument because the jury probably do not believe that men are created equal. Because he says this the jury will feel that maybe they shouldn’t convict Tom because he is black, because he is equal to them in some ways if not all. Atticus then proves that not everyone is equal by providing proof. He says, “...some people are smarter than others, some people have more opportunity because they’re born with it, some men make more money than others, some ladies make better cakes than others…” It is true that some people are really smart, have better jobs, or are better cooks.

Atticus uses historical references in the section of his speech when he is talking about not all men were born under equal circumstances but how they should get an equal and fair trial without the pressure of social traditions, like racism, influencing the facts. “Thomas Jefferson once said that all men are created equal, a phrase that the Yankees and the distaff side of the executive branch in Washington are fond of hurling at us” (Atticus Finch). In order to persuade the jury that Tom Robinson was innocent, Atticus uses this historical reference to help explain that Tom Robinson should get a fair trial no matter his race. “But there is one way in this country in which all men are created equal- there is one human institution that makes a pauper the equal of a Rockefeller, the stupid man the equal of an Einstein, and the ignorant man the equal of any college president” (Atticus Finch). Atticus goes on to say that there is one way in this country in which all men are equal, and that is a court.

Atticus’ closing argument uses a variety of persuasive, argumentative techniques. One form of writing he used is anaphora, which is repetition of a

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

This change in tone, from pity to guilt, shows that Mayella falsely accused Tom Robinson because she felt guilt from an unwritten law of society at the time “She tempted a Negro” (Lee 272). Finally, the tone changes from guilt to hopelessness, as Atticus Finch pleads to the jury to “... do your duty.” (Lee 275) as Atticus wants the jury to set aside their bias against the race of the defendant, and do what is right in the court of

Atticus plays the stereotype of the guy who will save the day, strong, honest, and charismatic. He functions with a fluency in his strain to convince the jurors of what their prejudice against people of color tells them about Mr.Robinson. He speaks to them with logic, or logos- "Thomas Jefferson once said that all men were created equal..", a quote that helps support his argument for Tom by mentioning a highly respected figure in history. He then uses emotions or ethos to try and further persuade the stubborn jurors. He becomes overwhelmed with emotions as he pleads in favor of Robinson.

Atticus’s Use of Persuasive Appeals The United States has a history of discriminating, primarily against african americans or people of color. The discrimination they faced has been a societal norm that has been around since the beginning of the United States. Society has established views and opinions, especially on discrimination, and they are often bigoted.

During Tom’s trial Atticus Finch made a few convincing appeals in his argument to convince the jury that Tom is innocent. Tom is a colored man convicted of raping a white woman in her home. Atticus decided to be Tom’s lawyer during the trial and he made many persuasive claims in Tom’s favor. This essay will describe Atticus’s appeals, and explain how his appeals are convincing. First of all, the first appeal Atticus made that I will discuss is “All men are created equal.”

Through the flawless use of the rhetoric, Atticus Finch speaks persuasively and wins over the jury during his concluding argument of the trial of Tom Robinson. As a lawyer, Mr. Finch understands how to speak effectively and persuasively, allowing him to make use of compositional techniques like rhetoric. He uses all three parts of rhetoric, logos, ethos, and pathos, to help him coax the jury to side with him. Although the emerges unsuccessful, he perfectly illustrates examples of rhetoric and the different ways to use it. Atticus cunningly convinces the jury of Tom Robinson’s innocence by appealing to them through the rhetoric.

Atticus uses the facts and evidence provided by witnesses to prove that Tom Robinson is innocent. However, an all-white jury still finds him guilty. Atticus knew his chances of winning the case from the beginning were slim. However, this did not stop him from trying. He courageously gave Tom Robinson the best defense he could. When Tom Robinson was moved to the local jail, some townsmen tried to harm him. Atticus left his home in the middle of the night with an empty gun and sat in front of the jailhouse to protect Tom. When the men came, he confronted them fearlessly. He did this to preserve his client’s right to a trial and to protect him from harm. During Tom’s trial, Atticus did not shrink back from thoroughly examining and cross-examining his witnesses to prove Tom’s innocence. In his closing argument, Atticus courageously states that all men deserve justice equally, “Our courts have their faults, as does any human institution but in the country our courts are the great levelers, and in our courts all men are created equal. () Atticus had to be courageous to say this in a town that believed that white people were superior to black

In To Kill a Mockingbird and 12 Angry Men, both men, Atticus and Mr. Davis, persuade the jury by logos to prove that the defendant is innocent. In Atticus’s closing argument, Atticus used logos in his evidence and facts that he provided during the trial to persuade the jury that Tom Robinson was innocent. Atticus started off his closing statement by stating the obvious, Tom Robinson has no use of his left hand and he could not have punch Mayella on her right side of her face. Tom Robinson has been accused of raping Mayella Ewell even though “the state has not produced one iota of medical evidence that the crime Tom Robinson is charged with ever took place. It has relied instead upon the testimony of two witnesses whose evidence has not only

Therefore, the mockingbird and Robinson's voice commonly are not paid attention to throughout the whole novel. "It couldn't be worse Jack. The only thing we've got is a black man's word against the Ewells. The jury couldn't possibly be expected to take Tom Robinson's word against the Ewells." (88) This quote from Atticus is noteworthy for it implies that regardless of what Tom Robinson claims in the court, the jury is expected to stand on the white man's side. Although the jury at court is supposed to make objective decisions, along the other villagers, he displays a definite bias against the black man. If there is any responsibility that falls upon Tom, it would be the responsibility for chopping wood and providing help for Mayella who is reflected as the loneliest person on earth in the eyes of Scout. However, the mockingbird figure is wrongly accused of things that he has never done or even imagined. Although there is a sufficient amount of proof that Robinson is innocent, it is ignored after all, and he is imprisoned. Emphasizing this, Atticus tells his son Jem: "In our courts, when it's a white man's word against a black man's, the white man always wins." (220) This