What Is Atticus's Closing Argument

Tom Robinson enters To Kill a Mockingbird accused of raping Mayella Ewell but leaves To Kill a Mockingbird dead. Atticus Finch the defendant in Tom Robinson’s case and the father of Jem and Scout, did not fail Robinson, Robinson’s family or his own because he tried his best to prove that Tom was not guilty. For example , Miss Ewell explained that the attacker in her testimony, Tom Robinson had force himself on her, began to hold to her by the neck and hit her repeatedly after she asked him to bust up a chiffarobe for her. Heck Tate, the sheriff and witness of the trial had said Mayella only had bruises on both the neck and right side of her face, this now raised a red flag for Atticus. For Robinson to beat Miss Ewell repeatedly on the right side of her face he would have to use his left arm which got caught in a cotton gin years before. The disability that Tom Robinson had created great evidence for Atticus’s defense but didn’t work because of the unjust community they both live in. Maybe it would have worked if the trial was held in a courtroom that is built on justice for all, not just for the white.

Mr. Finch starts his argument by presenting the facts of the case, trying to logically prove Tom Robinson’s innocence; he does this through the rhetoric and the use of logos. He begins by presenting medical evidence that supports Tom Robinson’s case. Atticus verifies that Tom uses his right hand and that Mayella Ewell’s facial injuries strongly suggest a left-handed assailant. Through the cross-examination of the witnesses, Atticus shows that their jumbled stories bring up serious questions about the crime. To anyone in modern times the proof he presented would’ve won Mr. Robinson freedom, but despite Mr. Finch’s best efforts to supply logical evidence, the jury did not immediately believe Tom Robinson.

Martin Luther King Jr. famously said “I have a dream, that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character”. Even though Atticus Finch is not black, he still thinks they same way as Martin Luther King Jr. and still wants the same for his children: a society with equality for all races. In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, he delivers a persuasive speech in order to free an innocent black man. Even though he does not win the case, Atticus succeeds in making an impact on the future of racism in Maycomb. By using logic in his closing speech, Atticus forces the town to examine their awareness of the prejudice in their own lives.

One of the most important elements of any lawsuit is the closing argument. The closing argument allows for the attorney to get their final point across, but it allows them to talk to the jury and let the lawsuit sink in. In “To Kill A Mockingbird”, Atticus Finch’s closing argument has multiple elements that allow him to get his point across. Some of these elements used symbolisms and allusions. These aid Atticus in affecting his audience because he relates them to everyday life. For example, one of the uses of allusion is seen on page 271, where Atticus says, “This case is as simple as black and white”. This has an affect on the audience because the case essentially is black and white in a sense, and he is referring to the two people in

Closing Remarks In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch, the main character's father makes his closing remarks to the jury before they decide Tom Robinson's fate. In Atticus's summation speech he uses four literary devices in an attempt to make an effective speech to the jury which are diction, syntax, imagery, and irony. He combines those four literary elements in his speech to undertake the task of attempting to persuade the jury to put aside their prejudice toward Tom Robinson and justly give Tom robinson the verdict he deserves.

Atticus displays his evidence as logos when he highlights that Tom Robinson swore an oath with his right hand, when Mayella Ewell was beaten primarily with a left. This shows that a man with a crippled left hand obviously could not have beaten her. It would be impossible for Tom Robinson to accomplish this, Atticus knew this. He pointed this out to a stubborn jury, single minded in the fact that they refuse to acknowledge his innocence.

Atticus Finch was involved in a very controversial case that arrived in Maycomb county. During this case, Atticus, a white man, was chosen to defend a black man named Tom Robinson. Tom Robinson was accused of raping and abusing a white female, Mayella Ewell. In the 1960s, southern life was divided between colored and non colored people. Atticus’ challenge was to convince the white jury and a white judge that Tom Robinson was shall not be pleaded guilty. This challenge was difficult to complete, hence why Atticus was unable to convince the jury even though he put up a good fight. Within that fight, he used different types of appeals that were able to persuade the jury in a variety of ways. Atticus used the appeals of ethos, logos, and pathos

In a stuffy courtroom during the summer of 1935 located in a simple Southern town, a lawyer stands ready to defend his client. However, in this trial the lawyer, Atticus, has a rough road ahead of him since he must defend a black man; in front of a white jury. Plus, he must break down the jury’s mindset established in the pre-Civil War ideas. He does not hesitate for a second but delivers a profound and moving speech which sears itself into the audience’s brains. Regrettably, this speech does not exist in history books, but instead in the fictional story, To Kill A Mockingbird. Despite its fictional roots, this speech earned its place on the chart containing many other well-known speeches. Yet, what made this speech noteworthy and proved Atticus’ skill in debating? To answer one could say his attempt to prove the innocence of a man stemmed from his adept use of pathos, ethos, and logos.

Finch’s closing argument we can look at his first few statement and easily see the Logos arguments for example he say “this case is not a difficult one, it requires no minute stifling of complicated facts, but it does require you to be sure beyond all reasonable doubt as to the guilt of the defendant. This case is as simple as black and white.” The statements clearly identify how dry and clear cut the case is. When he says the case is as simple as black and white he is referencing two points. First the idea that black was bad and white was good. The second is how the trial is a battleground between a black man and the scum of white Maycomb. Another of Mr. Finch’s most prevalent uses of logos was after he finishes weaving his tale of how Mayella Ewell was courting a black man. Mr. Finch says “there is circumstantial evidence to indicate that Mayella Ewell was beaten savagely by someone who led almost exclusively with his left.” Then after dropping hints that Bob Ewell was beating and abusing his daughter he says “Tom Robinson now sits before you, having taken the oath with the only good hand he possesses—his right hand.” Mr. Finch uses this evidence to show the jury how unreasonable it would be to suspect Tom Robinson rather than Bob Ewell. Mr. Finch is well aware that the evidence matters very little to the

In both To Kill A Mockingbird and 12 Angry Men, Atticus and Juror No.8 uphold justice fairly by avoiding commonly held prejudice views. In 12 Angry Men Juror No.8 started out as the only man in the jury that had any second thoughts about the boys guilt, even though the rest of the jury voted guilty. He, much like Atticus, looked at the evidence rationally and found holes in that evidence which he pointed out to the rest of the jury. In To Kill A Mockingbird Atticus stood up for Tom Robinson, not just that, he fought for Tom 's

In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch employs logos and diction in his closing argument to the jury and people of Maycomb in order to persuade them to see beyond their prejudice and free Tom Robinson.

He continues to point out “it requires no minute of sifting of complicated facts”, this leads the jury to realize there is no hard evidence to back up the charges against Tom Robinson. This all leads up to Atticus dropping the final remark of, “it does require you to be sure beyond all reasonable doubt as to the guilt of the defendant.” This sentence will stick in the jury’s mind because they already now subconsciously believe they are overthinking the case, but now they might rethink their original choice on whether or not to convict Tom Robinson. Atticus later continues to point out, “ The state has not produced one iota of medical evidence.” This shows there is no evidence to prove that Tom is guilty.

Therefore, the mockingbird and Robinson's voice commonly are not paid attention to throughout the whole novel. "It couldn't be worse Jack. The only thing we've got is a black man's word against the Ewells. The jury couldn't possibly be expected to take Tom Robinson's word against the Ewells." (88) This quote from Atticus is noteworthy for it implies that regardless of what Tom Robinson claims in the court, the jury is expected to stand on the white man's side. Although the jury at court is supposed to make objective decisions, along the other villagers, he displays a definite bias against the black man. If there is any responsibility that falls upon Tom, it would be the responsibility for chopping wood and providing help for Mayella who is reflected as the loneliest person on earth in the eyes of Scout. However, the mockingbird figure is wrongly accused of things that he has never done or even imagined. Although there is a sufficient amount of proof that Robinson is innocent, it is ignored after all, and he is imprisoned. Emphasizing this, Atticus tells his son Jem: "In our courts, when it's a white man's word against a black man's, the white man always wins." (220) This

The purpose of a closing argument of a lawyer is to give a last chance to give a lasting effect on the juror's choice on whether or not the defendant is guilty. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, an attorney named Atticus is defending a black man named Tom Robinson. Tom is being held guilty for rape against a white woman named Mayella Ewell. Her father, Bob Ewell is accusing him of raping his daughter. The book takes place in Alabama in the 1930s and in the south, the majority of people were prejudice towards african americans, thus making this case difficult to win. Atticus uses some key points to support his statement in his closing argument. The jury was made up of white people and Atticus was trying to convince them that Tom was not

Atticus uses a combination of convincing and logical evidence, but is also very passionate as he is not doing this as a “lip” service. He was doing this, as he could not live with himself if he did not do his best to defend Tom Robinson despite the chances of winning the court case. The use of emotive language and well-reasoned arguments makes the case more persuasive and plausible. Atticus is rather astute in showing compassion for Mayella, this shows honesty and integrity in his character therefore the jury is more inclined to believe him over the witnesses. Atticus makes a direct plea to the jury but he does this on a personal level. Atticus pauses to create more impact as it is dramatically effective as it focuses our attention to the truth. Atticus throws the burden of blame on Mayella making her culpable of the crime that happened and not his client. He uses repetition to emphasise his case and evidence. Atticus’s tone becomes increasing aggressive and uncompromising however, he remains courteous and dignified throughout. Atticus highlights to the jury the sheer arrogance of the witnesses of the state who believed their word would not be questioned over a black man. Atticus shouted “TEMERITY” as he had become so frustrated. This is the only point in the speech where