In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus is given the power to save a man’s life and ultimately reveals himself to be a dedicated and moral person. In addition, Atticus is looked up to as a respectable person in his community and many people turn to him when they have a problem or circumstance. This is evident when he agrees to defend Tom Robinson after being graciously asked by Judge Taylor. In doing this, Atticus is characterized as fair-minded because he doesn’t share the racist beliefs of Maycomb County. By appointing Atticus, it is known that he will do everything he can to ensure Tom has a fair trial.
In a racist society like Maycomb, the verdict of this trial is a foregone conclusion the moment Mayella opened her mouth to scream rape, as the cowardly white jury of the court would never admit a black man’s testimony is true. Atticus is an intelligent man and recognizes this fact, yet he still decides to carry out his duties as appointed. He knew right from the start that there was nothing he can do to prevent Tom from getting convicted. Thus though all his effort will be in vain, he still works very hard to fight for Tom. In other words, he is very courageous as he ‘know(s) you are (he is) licked before you (he) begin (s) but you (he) begin(s) anyway’.
In our courts, when it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s word, the white always wins. They’re ugly, but these are the facts of life” (Lee 252). 2. (analysis)The speech that Atticus shares with his children proves how much injustice and racism goes on in their town. Atticus tries to tell Jem and Scout that whatever happens between a white man and a black man, the white man will always win.
Yet a wise man such as Atticus does not fully understand how the citizens of Maycomb can be so irrational and unjust in their prejudiced views of others. This is shown in Part one of Harper Lee’s novel as Atticus tells his brother Jack, ‘Why reasonable people go stark raving mad when anything involving a Negro comes up, is something I will never truly understand.’ Atticus is a great influence on Scout through his actions and words, however he does not force her to act in this way. Atticus has the highest respect for everyone in Maycomb, regardless of gender, age or race. This is shown in his defence for Tom Robinson and his employment and loyalty to Calpurnia. He also demonstrates this when he explains Boo-Radley’s situation and reprimands Scout for treating a boy at her school badly because he was of lower class.
He defends Tom Robinson despite the fact that he knows that the odds of him winning the case are extremely slim because he is trying to defend a black man against a white woman. Atticus continues to remain optimistic although, he hopes that the jury will change and look past the racial difference. Atticus sees how the town of Maycomb has changed due to the great depression saying “Cunninghams are country folks, farmers, and the crash hit them the hardest”. (Lee 33) Having a character such as Mr. Finch is important to the plot, someone who can see the town of Maycomb for how it truly is. When Boo Radley saves Jem and Scout from Mr. Ewell it begins a new relationship between Atticus and another outcast, Boo Radley.
Through these characters, one is allowed to witness the amount of discrimination and segregation in these time periods. Set in two different time periods, and completely different conditions Tom Robinson and Zach Taylor are kind, respectful and courageous individuals who do not do anything to harm society but get pointed at because they’re black. Both of the young men are mature and are aware of their status in the caste system, very hardworking and intelligent individuals who want the best for their future. Also they are both targeted due to the fact that they are both black. Tom Robinson and Zach Taylor are both mature and understand their status in the caste system.
It is a rare and beautiful thing to find someone that can stand up for what they believe in, still knowing that everyone else they know is against their ideas. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the protagonist, Atticus Finch, is a loving and just character who sees through the preconceived belief in his community that class and social position is very important by looking at everyone as an individual. He does this because of his own beliefs in equality and justice that he also tries to teach to his children. Atticus doesn’t act the way he does only for himself, but also for the people he cares most about. Atticus Finch is a loving, but understanding father.
During this case he states “but there is one country where all men are created equal” and of course by that meaning the American jurisdiction. However his arguments, logic and even emotional appeal do not allow the towns people to open their eyes against prejudice. He proves to us that he is a true hero, since he is speaking in a roomful of man, who have been taught from their birth that whites and blacks can not co-exist. It shows that he is truly whiling to take the extra step to help an innocent man. This is truly a situation in which a simple self centred human would not be able to be so selfless.
The play Twelve Angry Men was about a jury system trying to debate about a tough topic, that could’ve affected a boy’s life forever. Some of the jurors were very fair, and others just wanted to get out of the court room fast. Juror four represented the best of our American justice system because he was intelligent, fair, and concerned with facts. To be intelligent, you must be able to balance logic and intuition. It is the ability to apply knowledge, have creativity, and to able to comprehend general ideas.
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus defends Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman, in a court trial. The town of Maycomb turns against him due to this. Atticus, furious about the reaction from his town, explains, “…why reasonable people go stark raving mad when anything involving a negro comes up, is something I don’t pretend to understand” (Lee 88). Atticus does not have any racial biases, and he does not agree with the views of the majority of the people of Maycomb. Atticus, describing his beliefs to Jem, “…The one place where a man ought to get a square deal is in a courtroom, be