To Kill A Mockingbird Chapter 1 Summary

The whole town of Maycomb is racist, which makes Atticus’s job harder trying to defend Tom Robinson against the word of a white man.Tom Robinson’s case is unjust since he is black and the majority of Maycomb revert to the stereotype that all blacks are immoral and criminals. “Quote” shows that it is a situation where little is possible to do when defending a black man because the town of Maycomb is deeply affected by racism they tend to only make decisions based on the race and so immediately think Tom Robinson is guilty, that he did indeed raped Mayella when there was so much evidence to prove otherwise. This is challenging for Atticus, since he has to persuade everyone to pretend there is no stereotype about blacks and that they are human

Atticus is a mockingbird for the Maycomb society. He has the correct attitude towards different races. In Tom Robinson’s case, he provides strong arguments Tom’s accusation and proves that Tom Robinson did not rape and harm Mayella Ewell. Even though Atticus failed to restore Tom back to Tom’s family due to racial discrimination existed commonly in Maycomb in 1930s, Atticus leads the society to take the first small step in the right direction in the battle against racial discrimination, according to the quote stated by Miss Maudie, “Atticus Finch won’t win, he can’t

An individual’s pursuit of social justice can often bring people together in unlikely ways. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch takes on the role of an equal rights activist when he defends Tom Robinson, a black man accused of sexually assaulting a white woman, in the small-minded court of Maycomb, Alabama. Despite belonging to a different ethnic background and social class—factors which tend to dictate one’s acceptance in the small town—Atticus quickly becomes a hero to its black residents. He inspires members of the black community to unite, with one another and with members of the white community, as all struggle to cope with the disturbing events of the trial. Reverend Sykes, leader of the

Firstly, when the children visit Calpurnia’s church noticeable differences in religion can be seen. Scout and Jem learned many things when they visited the black only church, the First Purchase. Most of the congregants in the First Purchase,

Atticus Hill cherished and fostered his role as the bad boy in the family. He always dressed in all black, rode a Harley, and had long, shaggy black hair. But now that all his brothers had found their Mr. Right he thought maybe, at age thirty-nine, it was time to look around for a partner. He thought the drummer at the gay bar was sexy, so headed off there to check him out.

In the town of Maycomb, the black population is judged upon their skin color. For instance, when Mr. Gilmer is cross-examining Tom, and speaking to him without dignity. Mr. Gilmer says to Tom during his cross-examination “are you being impudent to me boy.”(225). Mr. Gilmer called a grown man boy, it was clear he showed no respect to Tom, who is black. Likewise, Calpurnia escorts Jem and Scout to the black church, and Calpurnia changes the way she talks. As Scout is observing Calpurnia talk, she says “why do you talk nigger talk?”(143). In Scout’s and Jem’s mind Calpurnia has never talked nigger talk; Scout is judging Calpurnia because she talks nigger talk. In Support of, Calpurnia introduces Jem and scout to her friend Lola, and Lola disapproves of the while children in a black church. Lola yells “you ain’t got no business bringin’ white chillum here- they got their church and we got our’n! (136).

While numerous citizens in Maycomb express how “Atticus[‘s] aim to defend him. [Is] what [we] don’t like about it”(Lee, 218) and that he has “got everything to lose from this... I mean everything.”(Lee, 195) Atticus full heartedly stands behind the fact that if he didn’t defend the Tom Robinson case he “couldn’t hold up [his] head in town... [and] couldn’t represent this county in the legislature.”(Lee, 100) This reveals the moral importance this trial means to Atticus, as he believes that everyone should be treated equally, regardless of their skin colour as “men are not to be trusted around women—black or white... a truth that applies to...no particular race of men.”(Lee, 273) Atticus’s personal definition of courage is revealed to Jem after he is forced to read to Mrs Dubose for an entire month. As defined by Atticus, real courage is “when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.”(Lee, 149) Similarly, Atticus’s raw motives concerning the Tom Robinson trial run on the evident fact that he knew he was “licked a hundred years before start[ing]”(Lee, 101) Mr Robinson’s trial, but nonetheless defended him to his last breath. Atticus’s definition and actions correspond and show the reader how his values are congruent, no matter the situation. All in all, Atticus’s personal beliefs and values suggest to the reader

In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch, a well respected lawyer in the town of Maycomb delivers an emotional and persuasive closing speech at Tom Robinson's rape trial. Atticus wants to persuade the jury to find Tom, a black man, not guilty. This proves to be a very difficult task in the South during the 1930s due to the discrimination. Through Tom Robinson’s trial Atticus conveys his point, which would be that Tom is not guilty, by using diction, syntax, and rhetoric. Using techniques from diction, such as polysyllabic, monosyllabic, colloquial writing style, help Atticus convey his point across to the jury adequately.

After Calpurnia takes the kids to church with her one day, Scout begins to ask questions while they walk home. She asks Cal why she talks like the other black people while she is at church. Cal tries to explain why she does that. After trying to explain a few times, she says “‘It’s not necessary to tell all you know.’” (Lee 167). Cal explaining this to Scout and Jem changes a lot for them. After this, the kids gets another glimpse of the difference between groups of people in Maycomb. This helps them understand again that everyone is different and that you have to think of other people’s perspectives before you conclude something.

Atticus is one of the most bravest people in Maycomb. He shows true courage by defending Tom Robinson based on the principle of right and wrong. For example, on page 88, he says, “ It couldn't be worse, Jack. The only thing we've got is a black mans word against the Ewells”. At this moment Atticus explains to his brother Jack, why he had to defend Tom Robinson. Atticus influences his children by being brave enough to defend a black man. Atticus was getting ready to the next trial, by telling uncle Jack that the trial essentially boils down to Bob and Mayella's words against Tom Robinson testimony. Later Atticus shows true bravery by “ Standing outside of Tom robinson's cell, knowing that the men from the town will show up trying to kill

The only people’s opinions Atticus cares about are his children. Atticus is aware of the corruption in Maycomb and the country because of racism. Throughout the novel, Atticus tries to display to his children that “‘Courage is not a man with a gun in his hand. It's knowing you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what’” (112). Atticus wants his children to know that courage is standing up for what you believe in, even if you know you will lose from the start. During the novel, Atticus goes through life thinking through every action. He is aware that the townspeople and his children think highly of him and that he must do what he believes is moral. Not only does Atticus think through his actions, but he takes full credit for them. He never backs down on something he has previously said. Instead, he takes charge of his words, unlike other characters in the book like Mr.Ewell and Mayella Ewell. Also, Atticus shows integrity by defending Tom Robinson to the best of his ability. Unlike most racist Maycomb citizens, Atticus is able to ignore that fact that Tom is African American and instead see him as the person he is inside. When Judge Taylor appointed Atticus for the case, he knew that Atticus would do a good job representing Tom. Judge Taylor realizes that Tom needs a person who will be fair and open minded, and that person ended up being Atticus. Atticus

Citizens in Maycomb show heroism and the good in themselves by helping others. Atticus is doing the good by defending Tom Robinson when most were against him. Scout asks him why he is on Tom’s side, and he replies, “I’m simply defending a Negro- his name’s Tom Robinson. He lives in that little settlement beyond the town dump. He’s a member of Calpurnia’s church, and Cal knows his family well. She says they’re clean-living folks.”(Lee, 100) Atticus believes that everyone is created equal and that everyone deserves a chance. People were making fun of his family because it was not normal in this time to do this. Atticus showed courage and hope when he stood up for Tom Robinson.

Lance McMillian is incorrect due to the fact that Atticus is not an activist. Atticus is a Christian but it does not explain how he is an activist. An activist continues to fight the unjust laws and wants to help fix the problem. In this case is the problem is the discrimination for African Americans in Maycomb. All Atticus does is represent Tom Robinson he does nothing more. After the trial he does not try to fix the way people treat African Americans, Atticus only respects them. Also, Atticus took this case so his own children won’t think less of him and because he would feel guilty. Atticus is not and activist he is and accommodator, therefor Lance McMillan's view is wrong.

This horrible event causes Jem to lose his innocence but gain an understanding on social justice issues in Maycomb. One of the first signs you notice of the African Americans showing their respect and gratitude towards Atticus for defending a man of their kind is shown when Reverend Skyes along with the rest of the balcony (all african americans) take a stand as Atticus passes by once the trial ends. Even though Tom Robinson ended up being charged guilty anyways Atticus still managed to keep the jury out for a longer time than it would usually take for the jury to come to a conclusion (always charged guilty) on a case that involves an African American. So in many ways the African American community in Maycomb has seen Atticus’s defeat as a major victory or in other words a “baby step” towards justice. After day after the Tom Robinson case trial the black community of Maycomb overwhelms Atticus with gifts of food to show their appreciation and gratitude for defending Tom with all his effort at the trial. Atticus’s reaction itself to the gifts is powerful. The readers are informed that his “eyes had filled with tears” (217.19). This is an action that shows how much Atticus is overwhelmed at the generosity of these

Since the beginning of Atticus’s case, he knew there was no way in winning but still fought as hard as he could to prove something. That the phrase, all men are created equal, does not include black people under any circumstances. The message about justice is prevalent throughout the book and justice is shown to be biased as well as inequitable. The justice system in Maycomb is shown to be biased due to it being located in the south during the 1930’s. During the trial, there has been plenty of evidence proving Tom Robinson’s innocence and yet the jury found him guilty and sentenced him to the death penalty.