Going Outside The Norm Analysis

In the novel ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ written by Harper Lee the Finch family are known in Maycomb County by everyone, whether through their eyes it’s for a good reason or bad reason. The Finches are very important to the novel as they have a lot to do with the issues bought up during the novel. Mr Atticus Finch is an individual in the

However, Atticus knows since Tom is a black man he will not get a fair trail since the jury is all white and since people back then didn’t favor or teach color people this is why Atticus had to defend Tom which was a man who was wrongly accused for raping a white woman which her name was Mayella Ewell ; she was a very poor white woman the oldest of many children which was in her family .

When Atticus took the case, he went up against Maycomb, a generally prejudiced town, in order to defend Tom. He understood that taking the case would make him an object of ridicule and that no one would forgive him for believing a black man's word over a white man's. Even his own sister expresses disapproval at his decision, practically telling him he was bringing disgrace to the family. Nevertheless, no matter how much his reputation suffered, he did not change his mind. Standing up for his morals and ethics was more important than what people thought about him. From the very start Atticus knows he will not win the case however he does his job and finishes what he set out to do.

Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird is set in Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930s. Racism is ever present toward blacks and the trial of Tom Robinson, an African American, clearly displays this. Tom Robinson was accused of raping a white woman. The huge detail in this is that it was a white woman. Racial issues are really brought about because of that detail. People during this time would easily take a white man’s word over that of a black man, so nobody would ever trust Tom Robinson, especially since he was a black man being accused of a crime against a white woman. Tom Robinson really can’t do anything to help his case. The only person that can help him is Atticus. While Atticus does not believe that he will win the case, he knows that it is right to do everything he can to help Tom. He knows right from wrong and he will do everything in his power to help people see that, and to help Tom survive this case. Tom Robinson could also be described as a Mockingbird in this story. If proven innocent, he would be

After the trial and when they killed him at the jail trying to escape with his only hand, Atticus comes with the death news about Tom and Scout was confused and Atticus explains, “Depends on how you look at it… What was on Negro, more or less, among two hundred of ‘em? He wasn't Tom to them, he was in escaping prisoner,” (Lee 315). As the reader can see, the way that Atticus expresses his explanation to his daughter and right in front of Calpurnia he doesn’t seem as a racist because of the fact that he was on Tom’s side or defendant. He said what was better for everyone in public without affecting anyone's feelings. As what it equals, Atticus thinks straight and can win his respect and his identity gating better and being recognized as the person he should be. People can say what is truth without offending anyone and making their identity better in life.ally was saying is that it would not have make a big difference to kill another negro out many that there are still around. And by having respect around black people makes him a better person having a deal his identity about no matter what others care, to do what is best for him and succeed, with the people he knows and that supports him. As shown itself, identity can be changed/affected with good actions around other race that are fighting for

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’s role in this book shows a lot of prejudice. He is a black man convicted of raping a white women. This book is set in the 1930s, during this time period the Jim Crow Laws were still in place and racism was big. ‘You felt sorry for her, you felt sorry for her?’ Mr. Gilmer seemed ready to rise to the ceiling” (Lee, pg 197). Tom Robinson is talking about how he felt sorry for Miss Mayella, who is white. Mr Gilmer gets very upset stating that a nigger should not feel sorry for a white woman. "There's something in our world that makes men lose their heads -- they couldn't be fair if they tried. In our courts, when it's a white man's word against a black man's, the white man always wins. They're ugly, but those are the fact of life.” (Lee, pg.220) Atticus is talking to the kids about how Tom Robinson will get the death sentence because of the color of his skin and how the jury looks at him. He talks about there is no court in Alabama that would’ve gave him something less. Basically it was Tom against a town full of white folks. Tom is a big symbol of prejudice in the book.

Not many people see the blacks as actual human beings and feel they deserve the same rights as whites. Even if Atticus did not believe that blacks should be treated equally, he still tried to make a difference by being Tom’s lawyer and getting as close to being innocent as possible. Atticus did not have to take the case, but he thought it would teach him a lesson and be a case that he would never forget. He used almost everything possible to make the jury see that Tom was not guilty. The blacks were so thankful for this; Tom could have gotten a terrible lawyer that did absolutely nothing.

Since Tom is black, Atticus knows he has slim to none chance that Tom would be proven innocent in the courts “Atticus, are we going to win it?” “No, honey.” “Then why” “Simply because we were licked a hundred year before we started is no reason for us not to try to win.” (pg. 76 Lee) Atticus says this because he wants to teach Jem and Scout that prejudice and stereotyping are the wrong morals in life.

Atticus feels that racism is unfair and that all men are created equal in the account of the law. Racism was ,and is, unjust and unfair to any race not just african americans. This is evident in TKAM when scout is describing the passion that atticus had when defending Tom Robinson. For Atticus to defend Tom ,a negro, shows that he has no prejudice towards him or african americans.

Racism portrayed in the novel can also draw out the worst in many, while it can also bring out the darkness in people’s hearts. As Atticus states: “a place where a man ought to get a square deal is in a courtroom, be he any colour of the rainbow. People have a way of carrying their resentments right into a jury box.” The quote clearly explains that even the justice system was influenced by racial discrimination in the 1930s even if it was breaking the law. The concept of racism is further explored when part of the town acts unfriendly towards Atticus, because he defended Tom. Atticus is seen as a “nigger – lovin’ bastard” by the

Firstly, Tom Robinson is just one character that is prejudged in the novel. He is accused of raping a white girl named Mayella and it is a problem to the jury that a black man is trying to defend himself in court. Atticus realizes how Tom is being treated unfairly and that it is uncommon for African Americans and white people to associate with each other. During Atticus’s speech, Mayella is accused of lying in her testimony when “she kissed a black man [which is] something that in our society is unspeakable” (Lee 272). The black man who Atticus refers to is Tom. He is ridiculed and judged by several people in the book and he gets all this

By making the audacious claim all men are not created equal, Atticus takes a risk, thus encouraging the jury to take a risk in declaring Tom innocent. He is also building the foundation for the main point he is about to say.

Regardless of one?s race or colour, Atticus has a fair attitude towards all people. Early in the novel, a black man named Tom Robinson was accused of raping a white woman. Atticus took on the case to defend Tom without another thought simply because he treats everyone

race. Atticus tries to give a fair defence and gets us to think of Tom as a