How Does Atticus Defend A Black Man

Today’s society is damaged with the results of people doing terrible things to each other. Peoples actions can make or break lives.The novel To Kill A Mockingbird, is about a little girl, her Brother, their Dad, and the negro they all fight to defend. The main character scout and her older brother Jem, get into all sorts of dilemmas in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama. As they learn new valuable lessons about life, they also pick up that the small town they grow up in is not as clean and safe as it seems. The father, Atticus Finch is a kind hearted soul who was given the case of Tom Robinson, a negro accused of Raping a white woman. As soon as Atticus was given the case he aimed to defend Tom but a faulty jury made sure it did not happen.To

During the winter, Scout wakes up to snow and is scared since she has never seen it before. Her father reassures her and she goes to play with Jem in the snow. School ends later that year and dill come to play with them during the summer. During the Summer Atticus accepts to defend Tom Robinson in court. Tom Robinson was a black man who had been accused of raping the daughter of a wealthy man named Mr. Ewell. During the trial, Scout learned racial equality was a necessity that people needed to learn for a man with a white skin is just as valuable than a man with a black skin. Atticus does not win the trial, since the jury cannot convict a white man against a black. This cause a feud between the Ewells and the

Atticus shows true courage by defending Tom Robinson, a black man charged with the rape of a white woman. Atticus continues to fight for justice despite knowing he can’t win the case because he is

Finally, Atticus teaches his children about racism and morals by defending Tom Robinson. Atticus knows he will not win the trial but decides to defend Tom in a case of personal moral

Atticus is appointed to defend a black man named Tom Robinson who has been accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a white woman. She is a member of the Ewell family, who is looked down upon by Maycomb society and referred to as "white trash." Atticus knows that Tom has almost no chance because he is black and will be tried by an all white jury. Nevertheless, he wants to help him reveal the truth.

Atticus was assigned Tom Robinson in the case against Bob Ewell, and in the process he was an example to both his children and the town as an honorable lawyer. When Bob Ewell brought a case to court claiming his white daughter had been raped by black Tom Robinson, almost everyone assumed the jury would charge Robinson guilty; however, Atticus hoped for a different outcome. Atticus firmly believed his client was innocent, contrary to the public’s beliefs. Because Atticus was highly respected as a lawyer, this case caused a riff between the town. As Tom awaited his trial in the county jail, Atticus spent the night guarded the door to the cell. A group of perturbed men soon ambushed Atticus and demanded to see the prisoner. “You know what we want,” another man said. “Get aside from the door, Mr. Finch (153).” In this situation, Atticus displayed honor through risking his life so an innocent black man was not killed. Even though he lost respect among his some neighbors, Atticus was honorable in his actions and stayed true to

However, Atticus children Scout and Jem are tease by the other children because their father wanting to help Tom. In this case, some of the people in the town do not agree with Atticus decision about helping a black man. The protagonist is Atticus because he was defending Tom Robinson of something he did not do. The antagonist is Bob Ewell because he accused Tom for raping his daughter and beating on her. The dramatic actions of the play were Atticus is assigned to defend a black man Tom Robinson that was accused of a rape charge. While watching the trial, Scout and Jem could not understand how a jury could possibly convict Tom Robinson of rape based on Ewell story. The themes of the play were good and evil; and the importance of moral education. The inciting moment was when Atticus decided to defend Tom Robinson on trial. The climax was when the jury finds Tom Robinson guilty for the rape

After Tom Robinson is convicted guilty of raping Mayella Ewell, Atticus begins to explain to Jem that they did not win the case because of having an all white jury. Atticus explains that once the children grow older, they will realize that white men do not treat black men with respect and “no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family comes from, that white man is trash” (187). Atticus does not try to hide his disagreement of racism, which displays that he is socially aware and knows that everyone deserves to be treated equally. Scout starts her first grade year at school and comes home complaining to Atticus that she never wants to go back to school, like Walter Cunningham. Scout’s father makes her feel compassionate by saying “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” (22). Atticus making Scout understand that everyone may have different hidden conflicts to deal within their life reflects Lee’s views of treating everyone fairly. Atticus’s sister, Alexandra, moves into the Finch’s house and does not approve of having Calpurnia, a black maid, around the children. Angered by Alexandra’s disprovement, Atticus tells her that Calpurnia is “a faithful member of this family and you’ll simply have to accept things the way they are” (115). Atticus standing up to Alexandra’s remarks about not wanting to have the children raised by a black maid show’s Lee’s views on how all races should receive the same treatment. The characterization of Atticus emphasizes Lee’s strong feelings about how standing up for the equality and justice of people makes our society

Atticus tackles a situation that many would avoid. Defending an African American man during the time of segregation. Although he is very much aware of this fact, Atticus still takes on the challenge. “Scout, you aren’t old enough to understand some things yet, but there’s been some high talk around town to the effect that I shouldn’t do much about defending this man.” (86). Atticus states this fact to scout so that he may understand that Atticus is practically defending Tom against the whole town. Although he’s outnumbered by townspeople, Atticus courageously still decides to defend Tom Robertson; even in the face of uncertain failure.

In a world of racial discrimination, Atticus faces immense opposition when he advocates the innocence of an accused black man. Atticus even intercepts a drunken mob in order to impede their attempt to injure Tom Robinson. However, in doing this dangerous act, he nearly forfeited his own life. In addition, during the trial, Atticus even made the audacious act of accusing the Mr. Bob Ewell of abusing his daughter. This, in turn, evoked Mr. Ewell to spit in his face saying, “I’d get you if it took the rest of my

The lack of justice between black and white people and the mistreatment of Atticus’s family were the first few moments in which Scout and Jem’s were introduced to an evil Maycomb. The realization that Tom Robinson has been accused of raping a white girl with no real evidence and only because he is black, completely shocked Scout and Jem, especially when in reality, Bob Ewell was hurting his own daughter and made her purposely accuse Tom. Although Scout was sure that Atticus is a great lawyer and that Tom will be set free, she is dumbfounded and filled with hatred when the verdict was that Tom is guilty. When Scout asked Atticus explain everything and why happened, he said, “I don’t know but they did it. They’ve done it before and they did it tonight and they’ll do it again and when they do it—seems only the children weep,” (Lee, 213), meaning that the only one’s that actually care about how Tom was found guilty is children like Scout, Jem, and Dill and not the other people of Maycomb. After seeing Tom Robinson wrongly convicted, Jem and Scout discover that their nation is completely prejudiced and cruel, making them lose their

Scout and Jem’s friend, Dill, also went to the court with the other kids. It really affected Dill, when Mr. Gilmer, the prosecutor started asking questions and accusing Tom Robinson about the case. Dill started to cry as he felt what Tom was going through during the harsh questioning. Dill was experiencing the same feeling as he was treated at home, as the felt neglected and treated like he was lower than the rest of his family. So when the prosecutor was questioning Tom, Dill could not hold his emotions in. “That old Mr. Gilmer doin’ him thataway, talking so hateful to him… Dill, that’s his job… It was the way he said me sick, plain sick” (page 198-199). This couple of sentences shows that Dill

One of them said, “the court appointed [Atticus] to defend [Tom],” while the other replied, “But Atticus aims to defend him. That’s what I don’t like” (218). Scout contemplated what the men said, realizing that Atticus had to defend Tom whether he wanted to or not. She then attempted to reach a conclusion on if it explained the town’s “behavior,” but was found it “confusing.” When Atticus gets appointed to defend someone in court, he was bound to his duty as a lawyer to defend that person no matter what. The townspeople disliked that Atticus was trying to defend Tom, and it confused Scout because Atticus was only doing the job the townspeople had chosen him to do. Again, this portrays how Scout’s youthfulness and innocence causes her to have less understanding of her town. While Atticus and the reader have a full understanding of the townspeople’s behavior, and Jem with a small awareness of the issue, Scout is the only one who isn’t vaguely aware that racial tensions run amuck. As a result, she doesn’t understand that the townspeople act on that racial bias, an age-old habit ingrained into almost the entire town’s population, further highlighting her

Unlike Holden, Scout is a clean slate who has begun to take a step into the world. At the beginning of the novel, She is an innocent and kind girl who has yet to experience the inner evils of her town. As she grows up, the immorality gradually comes into view and then becomes apparent when Scout’s father chooses to represent a falsely accused African American, Tom Robinson, in a trial of court. During the trial, people continually bombard Scout and her family by calling them “nigger-lovers” and threatening them such as one character who “approached him[Scout’s father], cursed him, spat on him, and threatened to kill him.”(Lee, p. 217). Confused about all the hatred and threats towards her family, Scout looks to her father for answers on why he chooses to represent Tom and put their family in so much danger.

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