Tom Robinson

Showing compassion towards someone may be difficult, especially if one has a preexisting bias against that person. The novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee explores this topic, including how to decide if one is worthy of compassion. The citizens of Maycomb can be quick to judge anyone who is “different”, without fully understanding that person’s backstory. Mayella Ewell is one character who is often subject to this judgment, specifically during Tom Robinson’s trial. During this eventful period, she gains lots of negative attention and is shown no compassion. Because the people of Maycomb see in “black and white”, they are unable and unwilling to fathom that there is another side to the story, thus depriving Mayella of the sympathy she deserves. Mayella Ewell is worthy of compassion because her father is abusive, she does all of the work at home, and she does not deserve her family’s poor reputation.

In To Kill a Mockingbird Atticus defending Tom Robinson is an act of standing against racism. Today there are so many protest about racism that end in violence that solve nothing. If people went about things like this everybody would end up with a better outcome. That is another problem using hate and violence to try to force change will never work. Atticus stood up for what he believed in because he saw injustice in what was happening. He is only one person, but he was hoping to influence the community and have everyone believe, people are equal no matter what skin color. Mr. Robinson was

Although they are critiqued, some people do whatever they can do to improve our society. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch proves himself to be a hero. This small-town lawyer exhibits bravery, strength, and modesty when faced with objection during Maycomb’s quarrel for justice. Without a doubt, Atticus proves that anybody can stand for what he or she believes is right.

Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, who claimed he could run backward faster than most men could go forward, was the most famous of all African American tap dancers in the twentieth century. Dancing upright and swinging, his light and exacting footwork brought tap "up on its toes" from an earlier flat-footed shuffling style, and developed the art of tap dancing to a delicate perfection.

“Scout, simply by the nature of the work, every lawyer gets at least one case in his lifetime that affects him personally. This one's mine, I guess.” (Lee, 101) The following quotation establishes the reason why Atticus has chosen to defend Tom Robinson during the trial. Atticus explains to his children that he knows he doesn’t stand a chance, but he will try anyways, encouraging Scout and Jem to stand up for what they believe is right. “‘Lemme tell you somethin' now, Billy,’ a third said, ‘you know the court appointed him to defend this nigger.’ ‘Yeah, but Atticus aims to defend him. That's what I don't like about it.’”(Lee, 218) Despite what people might think, Atticus continues to go along with what he believes is right even when people are judging

In the novel, it states “ Scout you aren't old enough to understand some things yet, but there been some high talk around town to the effect that I shouldn't do much about defending this man”(Lee,100). Atticus discusses to Scout that many people in Maycomb County now, despise him for taking Tom robinson's case. “Harper Lee's effective use of racial symbolism can be seen by studying various examples from the book this includes the actions of the children, the racist whites, and the actions of Atticus Finch” (Hunter). The actions of Atticus finch helped Tom Robinson but Atticus Finch was hated and despised for

Undoubtedly, one of the most controversial subjects in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, would be whether or not Atticus Finch should have defended Tom Robinson. However, in order to understand this controversy, a person must first be able to understand Atticus Finch himself. Atticus as a character is a very intellectual person who possesses the fortitude to stand up for whatever he believes is right and will not let other people’s choices affect his own. Furthermore, it is also important to understand that Atticus is not a racist, nor does he approve of the idea that one group of people are better than another based on their appearances in general, and because of this, a person can generalize that Atticus’s characteristic traits are why he did not complain when given the task of defending a black man, Tom Robinson, who had been wrongfully accused of raping a white woman. A man that he, as well as a small group of other people from town, viewed as the picture of innocence. In their eyes, Tom was no more than a mockingbird, “[and mockingbirds] don’t do one thing but make music for [people] to enjoy” (Lee 119). Knowing this, anyone with a reasonably strong sense of what is right and what is wrong can conclude that it does make sense for Atticus Finch to have taken the case due to his belief that it is a sin to kill the innocent as well as his courage that allows him to stay true to his ideas, even though when taking the case, he was inevitably going to be putting his

As Atticus decides to defend Tom Robinson, who is a black man. Many citizens of Maycomb don't understand his choices for doing so. Atticus is questioned by Scout, she asks him “If you shouldn’t be defendin’ him, then why are you doing it?” Scout says that to Atticus because people from Scouts school have been telling her that defending a black man is a negative thing to do. By asking Atticus this, it shows that others see black people as lower class compared to others. As the majority of Maycomb see them that way, they don't understand why Atticus should and would defend them. Atticus sees the whole situation as him just “Simply defending a Negro,” because he sees everyone nas an equal which everyone else should too. As the citizens of Maycomb don't understand why Atticus is defending Tom, some finally start to see the trial just like Atticus. In chapter 15, a mob is called upon Atticus for defending Tom. It is led by Mr. Cunningham, who has a son named Walter, which Scout goes to school with. While the mob is after Atticus because of him defending Tom, Scout is able to stop the mob. She stops the mob by telling Mr. Cunningham about his son and how Atticus has helped their family, which then calms him down to see the mob isn't right. As Scout’s kindness towards Mr. Cunningham helps him decide to call off the mobs, it also helps him to see Atticus is a good person for defending and helping Tom Robinson because Atticus did the same towards him. Atticus’ choice to defend and help black people is hard to understand for many, butin the end it is important to realise why he choses to defend

James J. Corbett once wisely stated, “Individuals can resist injustice, but only a community can do justice”. This quote paints a clear picture of how sometimes individuals, such as Atticus, can stand up for what’s right, yet the entire community must invest in justice in order to advance in this area. Striving for truth and justice in their own lives, all citizens must make an investment in seeing that justice also oversees everything happening in the community. Sadly, in To Kill a Mockingbird, the people of Maycomb allow the town to fall into traps of racial and personal injustice, treating others without common respect and courtesy. This in turn results in a community characterized by unfair thinking and

There is a traitor living and breathing within our pure town of Maycomb and he could be your neighbour! This traitor goes by the name of Atticus Finch, who has become widely notorious for defending Tom Robinson, a low life Negro who brutally raped our very own Mayella Ewell. Tom Robinson was proven guilty and sentenced to death for his inhumane crimes that match only what the devil could do. The rapist met his maker by being gun downed by our finest policemen trying to escape his devilish sins. Justice served!

In To Kill a Mockingbird there are many Caucasian people who are racist towards African Americans. There is an African American man, Tom, who is treated differently on the stand because he is a different race and because a Caucasian man is accusing him of committing a crime. Tom, has a Caucasian lawyer who is also treated differently because he is defending an African American. The Caucasian lawyer, Atticus, is named called by many people but this doesn’t affect Atticus to stop helping Tom. Atticus keeps helping Tom and while doing this he is being praised by the African American community and this helps him to keep going. Atticus knows that Tom did nothing wrong and he wants the Caucasian community to see this too. After the

How can a story brimming with racism and resentment also be filled with compassion? Although the world is filled with people who do appalling things, there are still some out there who practice generosity and lead by example. In To Kill a Mockingbird, these people are characters like Scout, Atticus, or Tom. Throughout the novel, these characters and more take action to show humanity in circumstances that they don’t have to, and add a layer of compassion to the theme. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, the actions of Maycomb County citizens during the harsh times of the 1930’s show that any given person, regardless of race or societal status, should be worthy of compassion. These principles are demonstrated in the story by the Cunninghams, Boo Radley, and Tom Robinson.

The first part of To Kill A Mockingbird introduces the Finch family and their daily lives. The father in the family is an attorney whose only care is the moral rights of others. His views aren't biased or prejudice, he only sees humans who deserve as much respect as they should. He gets a case of a black man being accused of rape towards a white woman. He explains to Scout as this, “..but there’s been some high talk around town to the effect that I shouldn’t be defending this man (Lee 75).” Ever since Atticus has been appointed to the Tom Robinson case, most of the conservative white people in Maycomb County found it a little dishonoring since the defendant was an African American. "Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win," Atticus said (Lee

Although racial prejudice and segregation is prominent in both works, the characters continue to challenge these codes. In The Help, Skeeter surrounds herself with the black community to help them publish their stories, which was illegal at the time. Everything was segregated and even sympathizing and befriending a person of colour is out of the question. Skeeter believes that everyone should be equal and continues to write the books despite Hilly's threats. Likewise, in To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch continues to defend Tom Robinson because he believes that everyone should have access to a fair trial, no matter their race. He knows what he’s doing will be ostracized by his family and society, nevertheless he remains as Tom’s lawyer. The chances of him winning is slim, and Atticus comprehends that. During the trial, Dill also understands the unjust behaviour. Flooded with emotion and feeling downhearted, he begins to sob at the time of the trial because Mr. Gilmer, Bob Ewell’s lawyer was “talking so hateful to [Tom]” (265). He sees the prejudice and instead of turning a blind eye like what society has taught people to do, he gets overwhelmed with sorrow and pity and feels physically

The Risk of Social Injustice Making the decision to take a stand against social injustice or not to can have many outcomes to it. People may say that it is important to take a stand against social injustice because it can help change society. Others may say that taking a stand can put people in danger. In society many people ask themselves whether to take the risk and change society or not to. In the screenplay To Kill a Mockingbird by Horton Foote, Atticus Finch a white lawyer was acquainted to defend Tom Robinson, an African American who was accused of raping a white women.