To Kill A Mockingbird

Tom is defended by Atticus no matter the trouble or cost Atticus has to take, whether it be putting his children or himself in trouble. Atticus believes every man is equal in the courtroom including the people who do wrong including Mayella and Mayella’s

People feel sympathy towards those that are believed to be unlikely to lie, and Mayella took advantage of this. During the trial, Scout realizes that “Tom Robinson was a dead man the moment [Mayella] opened her mouth to scream” (Lee 323), which is mainly because she was given sympathy. When she tells her story about the events that happened between her and Tom Robinson, the audience pities her, and she is described as “[. . .] fragile looking, but when she sat facing us in the witness chair, she became what she was, a thick-bodied girl accustomed to strenuous labor” (Lee 239). They describe her as someone who looks strong and controlled, but also as frail and fragile. Even though her life is not on the line, the people in the courtroom believe her to need more protection because of her fragile appearance. After Mayella’s father, Bob Ewell spit in his face, Atticus responds to his children by saying “if spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that’s something I’ll gladly take” (Lee 293). Even the lawyer that shows the town that she was guilty pities her, even after she denies her lies and lets a young man die. In this situation, race is a contributing role towards this sudden acceptance, because in the society that these characters live, individuals with white skin are often viewed as less likely to commit sin

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

He takes the case solely because of his belief that “...whenever a white man [cheats] a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash”(295). Atticus’s quote highlights his views that all people no matter what race, no matter how wealthy should be treated equally. Atticus’ dealing with Tom Robinson, who Scout seems to think of as less is very important to Scout learning empathy. Atticus shows that if he had thought of Tom as inferior and not worthy of his time, Atticus would have never shaken the racism that the Maycomb community and white men of his time attempt to engrave in him. By seeing Atticus take the case and fighting his “heart out” for Tom, Scout learns that she should never just follow the “crowd” and not be racist. When Atticus first takes the case Scout is curious as to why he would defend a man that the whole town thinks of as inferior. Scout asks: “If you shouldn’t be defendin him, then why are you doin’ it?...The main [reason] is, if I didn’t I couldn't hold my head up in town, I couldn’t represent this county in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again(100). Atticus’ quote is a great demonstration of his strong morals and character. Atticus seems to believe that his whole town knows that it was Bob Ewell who raped Mayella Ewell, and that deep, deep down they think that it is the right

However, with Atticus furiously trying to use wits and a new type of masculinity to consult and prove Tom’s innocence, they go through a lot of hardships caused by the change in thought and idea. Seeing in chapter 15 when Atticus is surrounded by the mob led by Mr. Cunningham, who is trying to kill Tom for his race, Atticus and Scout are the only people who were able to stop them through the use of words and feelings from Cunningham’s son and his own law case. This later plays into how some people of Maycomb stay how they always were and convict Tom just for being

Atticus becomes the attorney for him and tries his best to prove his innocence, which is harder than usual because of his race. The jury, as well as other members of the community, view Tom as strictly a black rather than a true person. Atticus teaches his children to accept everyone, so they do not understand why Tom loses in the end when he is clearly innocent. Both Jem and Scout find it unusual for someone to be hating the blacks. Calpurnia is constantly with them and they appreciate her as a person despite her being black. Tom is found guilty and put into jail, despite the truth being on his side. “Scout discovers that in her world it is not fact that matters within a situation but the color of one’s skin; truth is on Tom’s side, but the inexorable power of racism is on Mayella’s” (Gonzalez 1). This expresses the social status of blacks in relation to others in the community. The Ewells live next to and rely on the garbage dump to make it through the day, but they have higher authority than a hard working black man (Gonzalez

As both sides presented evidence, Atticus managed to present enough evidence to prove Tom innocent. Since Mayella was hurt in the right eye, Atticus claims that a left handed person would have punched her, and suspects Bob Ewell, because Bob stated “I can use one hand good as the other”(Lee 238). On the other hand, Atticus had announced that Tom Robinson took the oath with the “only good hand he possesses- his right hand”(Lee 273), which makes it clear that Tom Robinson did not rape Mayella. As Mr. Gilmer interrogated Tom, Reverend  Sykes tells Jem and Scout that he has never seen a jury “decide in favor of a colored man over a white man”(Lee 279), which teaches Scout that most people in Maycomb do not respect colored people's freedom. Soon after the interrogation was done, the jury came with a decision, which was handed over to Judge Taylor as a piece of paper. Soon after Judge Taylor spilled out the words “Guilty… guilty… guilty”(Lee 282), Scout and Jem had lost faith in the adults of Maycomb. Through this case, Scout had learnt the aspect of how colored people were treated unjustly by the

Harper Lee delivers all the qualities Atticus possess to embody her interpretation of a social justice warrior. She urges a true hero must be well-informed, compassionate, perceptive, manageable, and steadfast in times of prejudice. Atticus is the most unwavering and honest presence in Maycomb, unchanging with the constant tribulations he faces with Bob Ewell and his internal doubts. His first impression is one of an ethical father who is respected and honored by his associates. Although the results of the trial causes him to lose some ground, he is still respected and valued by his children and the town. As a lawyer, he represents everything Harper Lee considers fundamental of someone working in the justice system. She characterizes him through

I believe that my essay will teach you about courage through How to Kill a Mockingbird. The characters I will be using are Scout, Atticus, and Jem.

If Mayella was not so fearful of her father it all might have ended differently. Most of the evidence showed that Mayella had lied about Tom and it was her dad that had raped and beat her. Scout’s brother Jem was confident his dad Atticus was going to win the case. Reverend Sykes helps Jem to realize that no black male has ever won over a white woman in court. Even with all the evidence Tom is still convicted guilty. Mayella is powerful even though she is lower class, and does not have a lot going for her. Her life will go back to the way it was now that the case had ended. The town will still dislike her father. “He thought he’d be a hero, but all he got for his pain was… okay, we’ll convict this n**** but get back to your dump.” (Doc A) Mentally for Mayella did she really

‘ hey, Mr. Cunningham.’” (Lee 204). After scout said that she is able to disperse the Mob and have Mr.Cunningham saying“ ‘ I'll tell him you said hey, little lady,’ he said.”(Lee 206). This is giving light to show people that she still does have innocence even after going head on with a mob. The trial for Tom Robinson is going to start the next day. Jem, Dill, and Scout, being the mischievous kids they are they, go to the trial. Innocence is lost here by the trial itself, and the evidence that Atticus presents and the verdict of the jury with that evidence. Lee writes “ ‘ Tom , stand up. Let Miss Mayella have a good long look at you’… his left arm was fully twelve inches shorter than his right,”(Lee 248). This means that he could not have done what Mayella said he did but the verdict for this case was guilty. The reason being because Tom is black and the person accusing him is white. The lose of innocence here is Tom's because even though he is innocent his color makes him guilty. Making this man lose part of who he

After Tom helps Mayella, Mayella advanced on him and hugged him. Tom ran away, but Bob Ewell falsely accused him of raping his and brought him to court. Atticus Finch, Tom’s lawyer defended him by pointing out that Tom only had his right arm due to an accident. Also the majority of bruises on Mayella were on Mayella’s left side which hints at Bob’s abuses. Never-the-less, the biased jury declares “‘Guilty…guilty…guilty’” (211 Therefore, Tom demonstrate innocence in this circumstance.

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

Tom Robinson is called to testify and when he tries to put his left arm on the bible it keeps slipping off. Then Tom says this isn’t the first time he has been convicted of a crime when Atticus asks him if this was his first time being convicted of a crime.Tom says he was convicted because he couldn’t pay the fine that would have released him for the crime of fighting. Then Tom gives his account on the Ewell’s story. Tom states that Mayella asked him to fix a broken door. Tom says that when he went into the house Mayella tells him he gave the children money to buy ice cream and wants him to lift a box down from the dresser. Tom then says Mayella grabbed him by the leg and then asked for a kiss while hugging him as he went to grab a chair.

Instead, she acts immaturely and is uncooperative, despite the fact that she has less at stake than Tom Robinson. Mayella Ewell witnesses the crime take place and then later testifies in front of the courtroom. Atticus is attempting to question Mayella, but she is not being very cooperative and it is visible that she is hiding things from the jury. Atticus repeatedly questions her and asks, “ ‘Do you love your father, Miss Mayella?’ was his next. ‘ Love him, whatcha mean?’ ‘ I mean, is he good to you, is he easy to get along with?’ ‘ He does tollable, ‘cept when-’ ‘ Except when?’ Mayella looked at her father, who was sitting with his chair tipped against the railing. He sat up straight and waited for her to answer. ‘ Except when nothin’,’ said Mayella. ‘ I said he does tollable.’ Mr. Ewell leaned back again” (245). It is clear to the jury, along with everyone else in the courtroom, that Mayella is very tense and cannot answer the questions honestly, due to the fact that she is afraid to answer something wrong. Further into the testimony, Mayella ultimately refuses to answer any inquiries of Atticus. He questions, “ ‘Then why didn’t the other children hear you? Where were they? At the dump?’ No answer. ‘ Why didn’t your screams make them come running? The dump’s closer than the woods, isn’t it?’ No answer…. ‘ Did you scream first at your father instead of at Tom Robinson? Was that it?’ No answer. ‘ Who beat you up? Tom Robinson or your father?’ No answer” (251). Her