“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.”--Atticus…
Being a Black man in Maycomb, Alabama was difficult; Maycomb was a racist town with people who did not want the Blacks to be equal to the Whites. People discriminated Robinson’s race to the point where his race was what defined his character. The Whites in Maycomb had a mentality that all blacks were not to be trusted. This affected Tom Robinson because during his rape trial his lawyer, Atticus Finch states “. . . You know the truth, and the truth is this: some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral; some Negro men are not to be trusted around women—black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men.” [Lee, 48] Atticus was trying to say that we need to judge people as individuals rather than by their race. Robinson’s race caused him to be discriminated against by the Whites in Maycomb, in particular Bob Ewell. Bob Ewell had seen that his daughter had kissed a Black man and was very upset. He said "I seen that black nigger yonder ruttin' on my Mayella!" [Lee, 84] Because Robinson…
Throughout this journal, one can predict that the black spectators at the trial stand when Atticus passes because they respect him and are grateful that he defended Tom Robinson. To begin, the black people of Maycomb respect Atticus. One example that supports this is that Atticus himself respects black people. Throughout the book, Atticus has openly supported equality between races. A specific example is during Atticus’s finishing statement, when he proclaims that all men, whether white and black, are equal in the eyes of the court. This shows that Atticus believes black men and white men to be equal and is willing to publically state such, which is a trait the blacks can appreciate and respect Atticus for. Another example that verifies the…
“To Kill a Mockingbird” takes place in 1930’s Alabama, where racism and segregation were accepted as social norms. Lawyer Atticus Finch defended “Negro” Tom Robinson in court, whom Mr. Ewell accused of raping his daughter. People considered defending a black man in court against a white man as a disgrace to the lawyer, his family and community. While Atticus talked to his brother Jack, he mentioned that “The only thing we’ve got is a black man’s word against the Ewells‘. The evidence boils down to you-did—I-didn’t. The jury couldn’t possibly be expected to take Tom Robinson’s word against the Ewells”. (Lee, 116-117) Atticus tells Jack that they don’t have enough data to prove Tom’s innocence in the case. The Ewells were not as respectable people as Tom Robinson, but according to the social hierarchy, dishonorable white people were above…
To kill a mockingbird is an insightful novel that effectively educates its reader about the discrimination and prejudice against African Americans that was occurring at the time. Through the pity and intensity of Tom Robinson’s trial the reader learns how the rights of African Americans were very different than the white Americans at the time. To kill a mockingbird highlights the pure injustice that Tom Robinson faces, when accused of a crime that he didn’t commit. Due to these accusations Tom’s fate is put on the line and his dignity is robbed from him as the whole of Maycomb assumes that Mayella Ewell is right. Immediately the town people build a sense of hate and anger towards Tom Robinson and attempt to act on their thoughts and opinions. Throughout this text one will learn how not only Negro’s were affected by this prejudice and discrimination but how innocent white Americans, such as the finch family were too.…
Tom Robinson is also a mockingbird, who, through trying to help a white lady, Mayella Ewell, sparks a great outrage in Maycomb County. He is wrongly accused of raping her, and blindly accused because of the racism in Maycomb. Many turn a blind eye towards his innocence, and don't have the courage to stand up for values. Atticus is called to defend Tom, and this lawyer is the only person fit to get rid of the…
Books filled with controversy rarely get recognition for shaping people’s lives; however, To Kill a Mockingbird overcomes this stereotype by showing the good in an otherwise not so good community. This community, known as Maycomb, exemplified traditional racial views that southerners held during the 1930’s. Most of the community, and most of Southern America, shared these same racial views, but Atticus Finch’s beliefs differ from those around him. Throughout the book, Atticus stands up for people of all races despite what those around him think. The courage shown by Atticus has greatly impacted all aspects of my life, including my faith, and demonstrates the determination that I wish to possess.…
“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” (Lee). In the Maycomb County there is a lot of whites, blacks and even some mixed. There are some that are wealthy and some that are not. Some get along and others do not. Even in a small town, they all live so differently. Throughout Harper lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, hypocrisy, injustice and evil is envisioned in an adult society. Miss Gates and Lula contradict themselves. Atticus is harassed, Tom Robinson gets accused for a crime he did not commit. Bob Ewell tries to kill Scout and Jem and Maycomb is loaded with rumours of Boo Radley,…
Steve Jobs once said, “Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life...have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” By this, he means: don't let the voices and beliefs of others overrule yours, but instead follow your own intuition. This is exactly what Atticus teaches his children in the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. In the novel, Atticus shows his children that even though everyone may be against your belief or stand on something, continue to think for yourself even though others may disagree.…
I believe in judging someone by their actions and character rather than by the color of their skin and sexuality. This I believe because there is good and bad in all of us. The color of our skin does not depict the flaws we have. In the second amendment it states that all men are created equal, but we still do not treat each other equally. Defending Tom Robinson was not easy because I knew that from the minute Mayella opened her mouth Tom was a dead man. But everyone including a black man deserves a second chance. How could I ever tell my own children “You never really understand a person until you consider things from their point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it” if I didn’t pick up Tom’s case because I was afraid of what people would think of me. When people say things about me like “Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets” why would I prove them wrong? You are only as good as you portray yourself to be. But when you are a black man in the town of Maycomb, Alabama you were never dealt the good hand to begin with. Sadly Tom never got a second chance. Tom was a good man but because of the color of his skin he was not treated as fairly as the rest of us.…
To Kill a Mockingbird tells the story of life in the 1930’s from Scout Finch’s point of view. In any story there are problems and situations that nee to be dealt with. Atticus, being a defense attorney, shows Scout a first hand view of what really goes on in the little town of Maycomb, Alabama. This sparks her curiosity in her father’s newest case, which is Tom Robinson a middle aged black man with a wife and kids. He was arrested under the accusations of beating and raping Mayella Ewell a white female of the age of 19. Many don’t realize that segregation was beginning to heat up in the South during the 30’s, but that is the cause of tense controversy in Tom Robinson’s case.…
Did you ever wonder why someone thought to separate blacks from whites, then wonder why someone decided to join them together again? In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, many uncomfortable situations were addressed that many people today preferably don’t like to discuss. This is why Atticus Finch encourages his children, Jem and Scout, to be aware of segregation. Within the novel, there is a rape case that discusses a black man being accused of the crime. This case afflicts many emotions and actions of multiple characters, but specifically Atticus, the lawyer on the black man’s side. The emotions from him are about how his life revolves around social disrespect and racial dishonesty which causes Atticus to act effectively and…
Mr Underwood respects Atticus for what he believes in and admires him for fighting for justice. Both Atticus and Mr Underwood are against injustice and they prove to be allies. Prior to the court case, Tom Robinson is moved to jail. Atticus is concerned for Tom because a lynching mob might take him. While Atticus is guarding the jail, a group of men arrive and demand Atticus to move away from the jail door. However, Mr Underwood defends Atticus with a gun and the mob soon leaves. In his editorial, concerning the death of Tom Robinson, he writes, “It was a sin to kill cripples, be they standing, sitting, or escaping.” (p265) He compared Tom’s death to “the senseless slaughter of songbirds by hunters.” (p 265). This again brings up the concept of killing a mockingbird and that justice is always an issue in…
Quotation: "How could this be so, I wondered, as I read Mr. Underwood’s editorial. Senseless killing—Tom had been given due process of law to the day of his death; he had been tried openly and convicted by twelve good men and true; my father had fought for him all the way. Then Mr. Underwood's meaning became clear: 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 MOUTH AND SCREAMED”…
Atticus is determined to defend Tom Robinson, the innocent black man accused of a crime he didn’t do. Atticus determinedly states “That boy might go to the chair, but he's not going till the truth's told” (77). Atticus knows Tom Robinson is innocent and he wants the people of Maycomb to know, not caring about the consequences. He has the courage to stand up there defending a black man when the rest of Maycomb think he is guilty.…