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.
I can’t shoot that well and you know it!’ ” (127) When Atticus is put in the spot to shoot the dog, it is a courageous act because if Atticus does not kill the dog he knows that it will turn around and attack him due to being rabid it will attack anyone and if Atticus shoots someone’s house he would end up in jail for murder. Another example of how Atticus is courageous was when he stands his ground against a drunk mob trying to kill Tom Robinson. Since Heck Tate is called off on duty, he had no support at all. “ ‘You know what we want’ another man said ‘Get aside from the door, Mr. Finch’ ‘You turn around and go home Walter,’ Atticus said pleasantly.” (202) Atticus risks his own life
Out of all the themes in A Gathering Of Old Men the greatest was reaffirming self worth by taking action. The most crucial character that made this theme so strong was Mathu. Without Mathu reaffirming self worth by taking action would not be a major theme. Things such as Mathu being the only one to ever stand up for himself and everyone going to Mathu's house support this. Every man in A Gathering Of Old Men seemed weak and wanted to run away when they heard about the killing of Beau.
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.
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 Finch family faces harsh criticism because of Atticus's decision to defend Tom. But, Atticus insists on going through with the case because his conscience could not let him do otherwise. He knows Tom is innocent, and also that he has almost no chance at being a free man again, because the white jury will never believe a black man over a white woman. Despite this, Atticus wants to reveal the truth to his fellow townspeople and encourage them to imagine the possibility of racial equality. But in the end, Atticus did not win his case.
Based on the story, The Chocolate War, By Robert Cormier, I consider a hero to be anyone who stands up for what they believe in. Someone who’s morals can have a great impact on a community. I believe the main character, Jerry Renault, is a hero. I believe this because jerry has gone against the grain in this story, standing up for what he believes in, he entered a fight in which he knew he had slim to no chance of winning, but, he did it because he would not stand to lose his integrity over people that have become greedy in power. There are many people in history that have stood up for what they believe in, and have tried, and some have succeeded to break the chains of oppression.
Prejudice is Everywhere “There’s nothing more sickening to me than a low-grade white man who’ll take advantage of a Negro’s ignorance” (Lee 221). Atticus, the narrator’s father in To Kill a Mockingbird, expresses his disgust in the manner of how white men treat the African-American race. This part of the novel is only one example of the prejudices observed in To Kill a Mockingbird, as the novel highlights the issue throughout. Racism was a major issue a large number of men, women, and even children had to face during the time periods of the novels To Kill a Mockingbird and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Scout, the protagonist of To Kill a Mockingbird, is a young girl living in Maycomb, Alabama.
She was the bravest person I knew.” (Lee, 112) We also see that the black community, which knows that Tom will be convicted by the white jury, shows courage by standing by him and his family because it is the right thing to do. The contrast is to the cowards in the white jury who could not find the nerve to do what was
In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus portrayed his courage time and time again throughout the novel. He showed his bravery and will to do what was right when he took the Tom Robinson case. Tom was a negro (sic) man accused of raping the daughter of Mr. Ewell. Atticus took the case because he needed to uphold his sense of justice and self-respect to model for his children. Since the story took place in the thirties, racism was heavily prevalent and even children as young as six use the “n” word.