Atticus Finch has been deemed a hero of justice, a mythological paragon of social activism. But although Atticus admirably defended Tom Robinson. He was no antiracism activist. First, Atticus did not volunteer to defend Tom Robinson; he was given a court order to do so. Then there Atticus’s complacence to racism, clearly portrayed in his confession (regarding defending Tom): “I’d hoped to get through life without a case of this kind…” This is not to dismiss Atticus’s fine attributes: He is a good father, treats all (black and white) with respect, and practices patient humility.
To begin with, Atticus’ selflessness and moral integrity could be seen as his defining traits. Despite the fact he is surrounded by racial prejudice and intolerance, Atticus still decides to defend the case of Tom Robinson, a Negro man, against accusations of the rape and assault of a young white woman although it could cost him his reputation. In his own words, Atticus took on the case, “’…For a number of reasons, ‘…‘The main one is, if I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this country in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again,’” (Lee, pg. 75). This quote being his answer to his daughter’s question on why he took the case, it is evident that the he did in order to protect and defend his own personal morals, in spite of its threat to his reputation.
Discuss Millers presentation of Hale in Acts 1 and 2, focusing in particular on how his attitude towards the events in Salem changes. In Acts 1 and 2 Arthur Miller presents Reverend Hale as a book-smart, respectable but also dynamic figure. As we move through Act 1 and 2 we see his thoughts and views change. When he first arrives Hale appears to be an intelligent, open- minded man but one who knows little of the situation in Salem and thinks nothing but good can come from him being there. This then moves to him coming to a swift and perhaps hasty conclusion without taking in all the evidence at the end of Act 1.
The first reason is that because Abigail Williams is extremely manipulative and vindictive. Abigail tries to get Procter to pity her saying, “You loved me, John Proctor, and whatever sin it is, you love me yet! John, pity me, pity me!” (Miller 22). Abigail wants Procter to pity and give her what she wants, regardless that his wife caught them once and can catch them again. Another reason their relationship is dangerous is that if John Procter were to prosecute against Abigail Williams saying that she is in fact a witch, Abigail Williams could very easily tell the entire town that she and Procter have been having an affair to get revenge on him.
His opinion is mixed because although he accepts the society’s idea of Jim being a slave he still respects him. His acceptance of the society’s idea of Jim being a slave is shown when Huck addresses Jim as “Miss Watson’s nigger” (Twain, 17). By addressing Jim as such Huck is excepting society’s position on slavery without really having any experience with it himself. Huck’s acceptance is also shown when Jim brings up the idea of stealing his wife and children back, in which he responds “It most froze me to hear such talk” (Twain, 88). This shows his acceptance because he doesn’t see Jim as a person and he sees his children as someone else’s property, which he feels would be wrong to steal.
He also performed these good deeds knowing that it won’t benefit him at all which shows us his heroic characteristics such as being brave and courages. Furthermore, I support Greeley’s claims because he considered including all of the wrongdoings in Brown’s felony while praising Brown’s brave attempt to get rid of slavery so both slavery supporters and abolitionists can relate to his position. On the other hand, Abraham
Im ne being a white man in the 1930's. With the pressure and grief of the towns agi people surrounding ; with judgement being directly thrown in the face of the man only trying to do the right thing. In Kill A Mockingbird Harper Lee, To , by she illustrates the point that by Atticus defending Tom Robinson even though it was considered the "wrong" thing to do and taking the case, defending him to his best efforts and taking the case even though he knew this would have both negative and positive effects on his children, he was not a racist. In this book, Atticus Finch is defending a black man named Tom Robinson, who is accused of rape. Throughout the story, we see the injustice that has tied between everyone involved as this time .
Atticus reveals the futility in the effort to vindicate Tom Robinson’s name in a conversation with his brother. He states,” The only thing we got is a black man’s word… The jury couldn’t possibly be expected to take Tom Robinson’s word against the Ewells(88).” Atticus, despite his knowledge of the impossibility in winning the case, chooses to defend Tom Robinson. He supports Lee’s statement about “real” courage, and his lives up to his moral preaching. In addition, when Heck Tate says that the act of bring Arthur Radley’s heroic act to the attention of Maycomb residents is a “sin,” Atticus complies to the “Bob Ewell fell on his knife” scenario. After revealing to Scout, “it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird,” Atticus lies, unwilling to harm Arthur Radley, despite his expressed pride in his profession of law.
Lena looked at him real disgusted but she don’t answer and she don’t move outa her tracks” (Hurston “Spunk” 27). This goes to show how unfaithful Lena was to Joe. She was married to Joe yet completely gave up on their bond and love for a man she hardly knew. Joe was so madly in love with Lena that he set out for revenge and attempted to kill Spunk with a razor. However, Joe failed and Spunk shot and killed him.
What is an unjust law? An unjust law according to Dr. King Jr. is one that “degrades human personality.” The clergy men, in their letter, urge the “Negro citizenry to observe the principles of law and order and common sense.” Addressing their argument Dr. Martin Luther King expresses his thoughts on the laws. He agrees with the clergymen, that laws are meant to be followed, but then goes on to say that just because something is a law does not mean that it is just. “For instance, I have been arrested on a charge of parading without a permit. Now, there is nothing wrong in having an ordinance which requires a permit for a parade.