Why Is Clay Unique

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

Hasn 't anybody got any business talkin ' like that—it just makes me sick." (Lee 266). Tom Robinson is a victim of prejudice due to his race. Tom was accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a white woman. Being a black man during the decade of the great depression was very difficult, especially in a southern state like Alabama. Tom is a victim of racial prejudice because the jury chose to believe the contradicting and false testimonies of the Ewells, just because the Ewells are white and Tom is black. The jury was biased, and their conviction showed how prejudical people in Maycomb are. Even if the people did believe he was innocent, they had to convict him guilty, as they would risk being insulted and disgraced by the community. During the trial it was very obvious that Bob Ewell was a cruel man, and that he abused his daughter. Atticus knew that it was not Tom who hurt Mayella but that its was Mr. Ewell. Tom is also treated unfairly on the witness stand. The prosecuting attorney was very rude and disrespectful towards him. He treated Tom like a child, and refferd to him as “boy” and “nigger”. Atticus explains that “ when it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s, the white man always wins,” and that “ people have a way of carrying their resentments right into the jury box.” (Lee 295) . Tom’s life was ruined due to the racial prejudice he faced, by the end of the trial he was convicted guilty and was shot to death by the

Discrimination and prejudice against blacks was a huge point in this story with blacks being considered animals and trash and anyone who defends them such as Atticus to be given the same treatment from the people who discriminate blacks.

Jackson like all white people at that time were slave owners and many of the slave owners thought black people were trash or were put on this earth to serve white people. Well they aren’t and never will be but almost everybody at that time thought like that so you are going to punish him for thinking like everybody else.

People have different opinions and views on subjects and we won’t always agree with them or understand why they think that way. “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” I like that Atticus is teaching his kids valuable lessons. We don’t know what makes someone act or dress or do the things they do, so we make assumptions and conclusions in order to “understand”, but the only true way of understanding someone is through sympathy and compassion.

Most people in Maycomb feel blacks are lower in the social system, however that is not how everyone feels. Atticus’ perspective about blacks is different from others. Harper Lee wants readers to feel like Atticus’ opinion is everyone should be equal. Lee showed readers by saying that Atticus’ opinion about blacks

5. Walter Cunningham and Burris Ewell both come from poor American, white families. Within the community, people don’t regard them with high respect within the community. However, Walter Cunningham is respectful to those around him and Burris Ewell is disrespectful to those around him. One example that shows how Burris Ewell is disrespectful is when he responds in a rude way to Ms. Caroline when told to wash his hair, come to school, bathed the next day. Moreover, when Ms. Caroline tells him to sit in his seat he snorts and taunts her. She consequently cries and threatens to report his behavior to the principal since he seems problematic. An example showing that Walter Cunningham is respectful is when Walter Cunningham and Atticus “talked together like two men” when they talked about farming and how he could pass first grade since he must help his father who is a poor farmer.

the fact that Calhoun’s wife looked down on Jackson’s wife Rachel and instructed her friends to

One of the many things Atticus is passionate about is to teach his children that everyone is equal and not to judge others “until you consider things from his point of view…until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” Much of Maycomb believe that Atticus is wrong by taking the case of Tom Robinson and thinks he is an inadequate parent. Even Jem and Scout’s cousin Francis quotes, “I guess it ain't your fault if Uncle Atticus is a nigger-lover besides, but I'm here to tell you it certainly does mortify the rest of the family… t's bad enough he lets you all run wild, but now he's turned out a nigger-lover we'll never be able to walk the streets of Maycomb again. He's ruinin' the family, that's what he's doin'”. Scout attempts to understand the town’s disappointment towards her father and whether he truly is a ‘nigger-lover’ and receives the answer; “I certainly am, I try my best to love everybody…if I didn’t I wouldn’t be able to hold my head up in this town. ” Atticus best

Another presence of judgment in the novel is present in the character of Bob Ewell, an oblivious, grimy, abusive father, who looks down upon Negroes, believing he can take full advantage of them because he is of the white race. Scout declares that, “all [Bob Ewell] had that made him any better than his [Black] neighbors was, that if he scrubbed with lye soap in very hot water, his skin was white” (Lee 229). This indicates that the population of Maycomb judges primarily on race instead of morals, ethics, income, personality, or lifestyle, which further proves the segregation occurring within the South. This excerpt means that the community is more accepting of an unmannerly, poor, and often-drunk man rather than an honest, harmless black man, such as Tom Robinson. Skin color is the main eparation of the people for it determines who are neglected and who are treated like royalty. Furthermore, Mr. Ewell verifies his prejudiced nature, when, “[h]e stood up and pointed his finger at Tom Robinson. ‘I seen that black nigger yonder rutttin’ on my Mayella’” (Lee 231). This further reveals Mr. Ewell’s biased behavior because it presents him mistreating Tom Robinson. Lee uses words

Huck comes to recognize slavery as an oppressive institution through his interpersonal relationship with Jim. In comparison Atticus and Scout have a conversation about the case, and Scout learns how racism has taken over. The conversation starts with Atticus saying, “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win,” Atticus said’ ”(Lee 87). Scout learned from her father that although you have been mistreated and discriminated against before, does not give you the right to stop fighting for something that you believe in. Scout develops her understanding of what racism really is due to the relationship with her idealistic, smart, and loving father, Atticus. The setting acts as a backdrop to the deeply rooted prejudice where Scout learns about true racism. For Atticus Finch and his family, issues such as racism and injustice were

In the very beginning of the book, we see how Uncle Tom has already proven to his master that even black people were capable of being honorable and trustworthy. Mr. Shelby even defends Uncle Tom to Haley who scoffs at the idea of a slave being capable of such traits. Mr. Shelby tells

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

Lee’s use of the word “rutting” in this dialogue represents Maycomb’s view of black men; animals, and savages, waiting for the chance to attack. Mr.Gilmer furthers this disrespect in his own way. In his cross-examination of Tom Robinson, the prosecutor repeatedly addresses Tom as “boy”(196), and “big buck”(198). Once again, this language provides a beast-like image of not only Tom Robinson, but all black men. The reader also sees symbolism of racism during Aunt Alexandra’s meeting with her neighboring woman. During a missionary meeting, Mrs.Merriweather states that the Mrunas, (an African tribe) live in “poverty and darkness”(230). The sickening irony of the women is seen here, as they feel pity towards the Mrunas, but are so hypocritical, they ignore the racism that results in the poverty of several black families in their very own town. The women at the meeting even proceed to insult their own black cooks and servants. Later, when the Tom Robinson vs. Mayella Ewell trial is completed, Aunt Alexandra expresses to Atticus her disapproval of him allowing the children to be present during the trial, but Atticus repartees, “they might as well learn to cope with it. … It’s as much Maycomb County as missionary teas”(212). Here, Atticus bluntly states that the conviction of Tom Robinson was just as racist, and unjustified as Aunt Alexandra’s hypocrisy-filled missionary teas.

During this time in history racism was acceptable, not only those who were black, but also those who affiliated with blacks, were also considered inferior. Atticus and Mr. Dolphus Raymond were both treated unfairly because of their non-segregation believes. Mr. Dolphus Raymond pretended to be a drunk so he didn't have to explain the fact that he was simply in love with a black woman. The alcohol, he said, ¡°gave the people an excuse to say he didn't know what he was doing¡±. Atticus defended Tom Robinson because it was what he strongly believed in. For this he was mocked, according to Mrs. Dubose, Atticus was ¡°no better than the niggers and trash he works for!¡±