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Critical appreciation of to kill the mockingbird
Critical appreciation of to kill the mockingbird
Critical appreciation of to kill the mockingbird
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In atticus’s closing argument he was trying to persuade the jury into feeling sympathy for tom robinson by using pathos, which appeals to emotion. For example, “ a quiet, respectable, humble negro who had the unmitigated temerity to feel sorry for a white women.” Atticus’s diction shows that not all african americans
Author Harper Lee, in her novel “To Kill A Mockingbird”, depicts a court trial in which Atticus Finch, a Maycomb County lawyer, attempts to defend an innocent black man, Tom Robinson, who was falsely accused of rape and beating by a young white woman, Mayella Ewell. Finch’s purpose is to prove Tom’s innocence to the court and avoid an inaccurate conviction. He adopts a deliberate tone in order to rule the jury’s speculation in favor of Robinsons guiltlessness. Atticus begins his argument by contrasting social moralities versus actual law.
A critical event in the book is when Atticus accepts to defend Tom Robinson, a black man, who is accused of raping Mayella Ewell; however, he is disfavored against by the town due to his race. In the book, Atticus says, “...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 117).
Though people are fond of Atticus himself, his decision to aim for Tom Robinson’s justice causes discomfort, “ ‘Lemme tell you somethin’ now, Billy’ a third said, ‘you know the court appointed him to defend this nigger.’ ‘Yeah, but Atticus aims to defend him. That’s what I don’t like about it” (186). The quote exposes that everyone understand the fact that he is assigned to the case but do not understand as to why he is so intent on proving a black man’s innocence. Since Atticus exceedingly expresses his thought on Tim’s innocence and involves so much of himself in the case with a black person, he obtains negative feedback and gets called a nigger-lover.
“It occurred to me that in their way, Tom Robinson’s manners were as good as Atticus’s. Until my father explained it to me later, I did not understand the subtlety of Tom’s predicament: he would not have dared strike a white woman under any circumstances and expect to live long, so he took the first opportunity to run—a sure sign of guilt” (Lee 198). Tom was a respectable man and worried about the looming threat that was being against a white man’s
Despite racial inequalities in the South, Atticus sticks to his own morals and agrees to be the defending lawyer for Tom Robinson, a black man being accused of raping a white woman. Although Atticus’ defense in court was thorough and clearly proved Tom’s innocence, the jury was prejudiced towards black folks and convicted Tom as guilty. Nonetheless, Atticus is still a hero despite losing the case. He has the courage to stand up for what he believes in, fights with reason rather than guns, and has utmost determination, making him a hero despite being just an average human being. Ultimately, his thoughts and actions set the stage for major changes in the meaning of equality throughout Maycomb County, changing lives of numerous people.
It was the year 1930, so slavery was still pretty popular. One of the slaves in the story, gets accused of rape towards a white poor women. Throughout the course of the trial, Tom Robinson, isn't accepted as an equal human as those in the courthouse. This is seen in chapter 23: “ As you grow older, you'll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don't you forget it—whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash” (155) Atticus was speaking so quietly his last word crashed on our ears. I looked up, and his face was vehement.
Essay In the novel ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee, there are many important messages shown throughout the book. However the primary focus was set on racial prejudice that existed in the 1930s-1940’s in the fictional town of Maycomb County. The racism in the novel was very much a reality in 1930s-1940s America. A very good example of the racial prejudice that existed was in the courtroom during Tom Robinson’s trial, an innocent Negro man held against his will for a crime he did not commit.
Within this particular situation, Atticus is giving his closing speech and effectively his last stand of righteousness for Tom Robinson’s exculpation. Subsequently, he evokes what concept within his society is reality, challenging the notion of the unpleasant standard. Atticus refutes the apparent brutality of mankind and exposes his respectable mindset and philosophies. Using his resilient, educated diction containing figurative language, he illustrates a clear depiction of his wisdom and reputable outlook. Comparing lies and truths within his dispute, he raises both an oxymoron and dichotomy to overemphasize the harsh reality and how Atticus believes it should be changed.
During the trials of Tom Robinson, Atticus uses the technique of irony in his quote, “She was white, and she tempted a black man. She did something in our society that is unspeakable: she kissed a black man,”. Illustrates the racial system that was implemented and how kissing a black man is seen as something horrific, reinforcing the racism which was prevalent throughout the book. This quote indicates to the readers how Alabama during the 1930s was prejudiced against dark-skinned folks, which extended to how they were not allowed to have free will over who they dated. Jem and Scout listen to Atticus as he goes on about Tom Robinson’s court case.
The moment Atticus is appointed to be the defender of Tom Robinson, he knows that if he really takes on this role of a defender, Maycomb’s society is going to ostracize him. Defending a black male who is accused of having raped a white woman is not only Alabama in the 1930s a capital offense in Alabama in the 1930s, but lands him in difficulties as he and his kids have to face hostility in Maycomb. A classmate tells Scout that “my folks say your daddy was a disgrace an’ that nigger oughta hand from the water-tank!” (Lee 87). She discovers what Maycomb’s population thinks of her father.
Finally, as the book comes to conclusion Tom Robinson, a black man, is pleaded quilty with the charge of raping a white women. Throughout the novel, it was proven all he was trying to do and aiming for was to help a young girl. People in society gain the evil assumption that all black men and women aren 't equal to those of a different race. A part in the novel that proves how intolerable the society is; on page 242, "A white man 's word, against a black man 's word, the white man always wins" (Lee). This quote shows how the main reason Tom was guilty was due to the color of his skin.
The racial divide in the courtroom is explained when Atticus says “there’s something in our world that makes men lose their heads—they couldn’t be fair if they tried. In our courts, when it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s, the white man always wins. They’re ugly, but those are the facts of life” (Lee 291). Tom Robinson is a black man going up against an all-white jury. This displays that fact that the prejudice and racism is in the minds of the all-white jury and that no matter the consequence, the white man always wins.
That people won’t learn to see black people as equals. Atticus, their father, tries to defend Tom Robinson’s case where he was accused of raping a white woman. Tom knew that he wouldn’t be able to survive so he tried escaping from jail, but was shot multiple times. An
At school, Scout nearly starts a fight with a classmate named Cecil Jacobs after he declares that her “daddy defends niggers” (Lee, 74). Scout being too young to fully understand this statement automatically denies it. Atticus, who has been asked to defend Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman has received many controversial remarks on his take of the case. Although Scout does not initiate the fight with Cecil, her “fists [a]re clenched and [she is] ready to let [them] fly” (Lee, 74). This depicts another one of Scout’s un-ladylike reactions because the ladylike response would be to simply ignore the boy and to remain prim and proper.
