Preview

Examples Of Atticus Failure In To Kill A Mockingbird

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
598 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Examples Of Atticus Failure In To Kill A Mockingbird
Year 9 English Common Task
"Although Atticus loses the case, we don't see him as a failure." Discuss

Although Atticus loses the case, we don't see him as a failure. Atticus accepted the case, knowing they would most likely lose, but he accepted it anyway. Atticus had a plan to make an appeal to the courts, to get Tom Robinson's sentance shortened and they had a very strong chance at winning this appeal

When Atticus got this case, he asked Calpurnia about Tom Robinson. She spoke very highly of him, telling Atticus how they were very good family friends, and how well manered he was. After hearing this, Atticus accepted the case. He knew they would lose, but he knew he had to try his hardest. He didn't just give up on Tom Robinson because he was black. He tried his hardest with this case, and treated it just like any other case. This is why Atticus isn't seen as a failure, because he tried his hardest. The black people in the community were thankful of Atticus's attempts to save Tom Robinson, and this is shown when Atticus is packing his things at the end of the court case, and all of the black people stand up, to show gratitued towards Atticus.
…show more content…
He made plans to get Tom Robinson's sentence shortened, or even his sentence dropped. "He put his hand on his shoulder and whispered something to him." When Atticus does this, he is telling Tom about the final verdict of the case, and about their plans to make the appeal. Atticus was going to file for an appeal to a higher court, but Tom Robinson was shot, as he tried to escape prison. Because of Atticus' determination to make this appeal, and get Tom's sentence changed, he isn't seen as a failure, because of his determination to prove that Tom was

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Tom Robinson Quotes

    • 129 Words
    • 1 Page

    The next reason is that Atticus has a personal connection to the Tom Robinson case Atticus feels that he “couldn't hold his head in town’’ and “couldn’t represent this country in the legislature” if he did not give this case his all.…

    • 129 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    In “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, Jem Finch discovers that it’s essential to do what’s right even if it’s not a favored decision. Examples of this are shown throughout the book as Jem becomes exposed to more knowledge, and Atticus, his father, is a prime example of what’s just. It’s important to learn the lesson of doing what’s right because without it, you’ll lose self-esteem and respect. Not doing what’s right can lead to severe punishments both physically and mentally. Doing something wrong, and even just doing nothing can eat away at you, and doing the right thing will never be worse than that.…

    • 509 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Within the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, the main character with a plan was Atticus. His plan at the beginning of the novel was to succeed in winning the Tom Robinson case. The case involved the accusations made against Tom that he raped Bob Ewell’s daughter, Mayella. Even though those around him would call him a “nigger lover”, including his family, he never deserted Tom when he was in need of help. For example, both Francis and Aunt Alexandra said that he was being a disgrace to the family name. Later on in the novel we find out that Atticus Finch’s definition of “real courage” is when you fight for something that is right, regardless the fact that you may win or lose. Atticus knew that Tom Robinson was an innocent man, but it only ended up being a black man’s word against an Ewells. Scout and Jem continuously questioned Atticus on why he took the case even if he knew he would lose and he admitted. His response to their questioning was that there were many reasons, but "the main one is, if I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent the county in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again.” Atticus proved his bravery when he went against Maycomb, a generally prejudice town, in order to defend Tom. He knew that by accepting the case he would make himself an object of ridicule. He knew that a small population of the white people in the town would forgive him, but the black community would respect him for believing in a black man’s word against a white’s. Atticus did not mind how much his reputation suffered with the white members of Maybcomb, standing up for convictions was more important to him than what people thought. Atticus decided early he was going to stand up for someone’s…

    • 818 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Atticus was appointed to the defendant, Tom Robinson after Mayella Elwell tried to seduce him, her father (Bob Elwell) found the two and beat her and accused Tom of rape. Tom Robinson being a black male didn’t help either as blacks were looked down upon, Bob Elwell was white trash but because he was white he already won the case before it even started. Atticus was criticized and threatened for attempting to defend him instead of acting like he was. Because he believed in equality, he did what he thought was…

    • 518 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    the county’’, This explains that Atticus has no need to brag and only uses his ability when he need to, he is not willing to take advantage of something that can’t fight back. Another example, where the lesson is taught is Atticus’s decision to represent Tom Robinson. Atticus knows that he will lose his defense of Tom Robinson, when Scout asked him why he proceeds with the case, Atticus answered:…

    • 639 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Tom Robinson's Guilty

    • 131 Words
    • 1 Page

    Like a mockingbird, Tom Robinson was an innocent creature who did no harm to anyone. Tom, black man with a wife and children was wrongfully accused of raping a white woman. He went out of his way to help to help Magellan Ewell many times. Not once was Tom awarded for his hard work, on the contary he was found guilty of raping her. Tom was found guilty not because of his actions but because of his race. Killing Tom was a sin just like it's a sin to kill a mockingbird. The jury and prison guards thought that finding him guilty and killing him was not a big deal. Not everyone shared Atticus Finch's integrity and perspective in that time. Tom Robinson was a good man who was wrongfully targeted.…

    • 131 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Harper Lee portrays Atticus as a scrupulous and superb lawyer, who goes through a troublesome trial. “‘Your father’s no better than the niggers and trash he works for,’” (135) this was said about Atticus by Mrs. Dubose, and this was how many other people felt about the situation as well. He was defending Tom Robinson, who was accused of raping Mayella Ewell. Mr. Finch was known for using agile techniques during his trials to get the information he needed. Despite Tom Robinson being at a disadvantage…

    • 705 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Tom Robinson Stereotypes

    • 966 Words
    • 4 Pages

    This was not his choice or decision. When Tom Robinson was accused of committing a rape, every person knew that no matter how good Atticus’s arguments were, Robinson would be found guilty simply because he was black. Blacks were considered as flaws in a wannabe-utopian society. They were treated as if they were rodents, some inferior animals that were not human because they had a dark skin tone. Being a black man, Robinson lived with this stereotype his entire life. Even though people treated Robinson worse than they would treat an animal, Robinson felt no hate towards these people. He was very polite towards them; he was always willing to lend a helping hand. Unfortunately, Tom Robinson could not change the outlook of the…

    • 966 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    One allusion that atticus used effectively was"all men are created equal"Lee, Harper. To kill a mockingbird: Harper Lee. New York, Scribner Laidlaw, 1989. Atticus says this Allusion to show the hostile jury that all men should be treated equally. To discourage the juries racism or biasty around the case. "Our courts have their faults as does any human institution, but in this country, our courts are the great levelers, and in our courts all men are created equal"Lee, Harper. To kill a mockingbird: Harper Lee. New York, Scribner Laidlaw, 1989 (Pg. 226-227). He uses another allusion to to help expand on the theme of people being discriminating against black people to show that being racially prejudice is wrong, especially when dealing with the…

    • 586 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    "To Kill A MockingBird''

    • 681 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Second of all, Atticus suffers injustice from the fact he commits into taking Tom’s case. He is regularly persecuted for this decision. “ You’re father is no better then the niggers and trash he works for!" (102) This makes Atticus work even harder to win the case. He tries to ignore the threats and harassments and keep the community happy. But tries to keep the law in…

    • 681 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Atticus’ decision to defend Tom Robinson shows a ton of courage. Since the story takes place during segregation, a white man defending a black man is frowned upon. Atticus still accepts the case even though he knows he will receive hate from the racist townspeople. Atticus represents Tom Robinson because his conscious makes him feel like it is the right thing to do. He also wants to set a good example for his children and teach them that all people deserve to be treated fairly.…

    • 448 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In chapter 9, Atticus and Scout are talking and she explains how Cecil said Atticus defended n’s, “I’m simply defending a Negro- his name’s Tom Robinson,” (Lee 100) Atticus states. Atticus goes on to explain why he is defending Tom Robinson and Scout asked : “‘Atticus, are we going to win it?’ ‘No honey,’” (Lee 101). He knows that he won’t win the case, yet he still defends Tom Robinson. An assumption can be made that Atticus is attempting to change the order of the Maycomb County, and is doing the right thing in order to do so. He believed that Tom deserved a fair trial regardless of his…

    • 617 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    To Kill A Mockingbird

    • 540 Words
    • 3 Pages

    In To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee illustrates determination through Atticus Finch’s ability to do what is right at all costs because he wants to set good examples. First of all, Atticus defends those who aren’t able to speak for themselves or for those who aren’t understood. Evidence of this assertion from the book is, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view-until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.”- (pg. 39) Atticus defended Miss Caroline when Scout told him about Burris Ewell; Atticus told Scout to look at things from Miss Caroline’s perspective. Atticus knew that people shouldn’t tease Arthur Radley, so Atticus made sure his children didn’t make fun of Arthur. Atticus defended Mrs. Dubose and explained to Jem how she was the bravest person he ever knew. Second of all, Atticus accepts the trial of Tom Robinson even though the town is against him. Evidence of this second assertion is, “This case, Tom Robinson’s case, is something that goes to the essence of a man’s conscience-Scout, I couldn’t go to church and worship God if I didn’t try to help that man.”- (pg. 139) Although Atticus knew that Tom Robinson was going to be guilty, Atticus still wanted to defend him. If Atticus couldn’t hold up his head in town, Atticus couldn’t represent this county in the legislature. He couldn’t even tell Scout or Jem not to do something again because Atticus could never ask them to mind him again. The town was against Atticus for defending a black man, but Atticus didn’t cave into the negative comments they were saying about him. When taking the case of Tom Robinson, Atticus took the responsibilities of protecting Tom. One of the times when Atticus protected Tom was when Atticus sat outside the jail late at night with a gun to protect Tom. Last of all, Atticus makes wise choices in regards to his children. Here are two evidences of this last assertion. “You might hear some ugly talk about it at school, but do one…

    • 540 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    To Kill a Mockingbird

    • 1306 Words
    • 6 Pages

    One of the most important lessons in To Kill a Mockingbird is to stand up for your beliefs. The character Atticus is a promonate example Harper Lee used to express the importance of standing up for your beliefs. “Atticus had used every tool available to free men to save Tom Robinson, but in the secret courts of men’s hearts Atticus had no case. Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her moth and screamed.” (Lee 323). Atticus throughout the novel displays the courageous and daring act of standing up for his beliefs. Atticus presented a strong defence for the coloured man, even though he knew that there was nothing he could really do. Atticus was appointed to defend Tom Robinson in his case. Atticus took the case seriously and took it upon himself to take all evidence into close examination. “This case, Tom Robinson’s case, is something that goes to the essence of a man’s conscience-Scout, I couldn’t go to church and worship god if I didn’t try to help that man.” ( ). Atticus strongly defends Tom Robinson for his own personal beliefs and took this case ‘white vs. Black’ seriously and he has taken all odds against society to justify this man. Standing up for what you believe in is a strong way to under mind authorities and prove a strongly arguable point. Atticus did…

    • 1306 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Atticus, is a man of great wisdom, he suffers from the fact that he had committed to taking on a difficult Negro case. He was constantly persecuted for this decision, which made him work even harder at winning the case. Even though his family was made fun of, he stuck with his choice and worked to the best of his ability to try to ignore the threats and harassment. He did extremely well to ignore all the abuse and was greatly respected after the trial had concluded.…

    • 311 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays