Atticus Defense In To Kill A Mockingbird

Maycomb residents starts to question their beliefs, which was a truly impactful change showing the influence Atticus’ defense has shown, proving the trial to be of worth. The jury took an immense amount of time to return a verdict involving a black man in opposition to the white man. This was a first for Maycomb because of the fact that this has never happened in the past years. As Atticus explains to Scout and Jem, “That jury took a few hours. An inevitable verdict may be, but usually it takes ‘em just a few minutes” (297). As Atticus says, for cases like this one, it was always in favour of the white man. How it only takes a few minutes to decide upon a charge shows how the prejudice emotions highly affect the outcome. The jury taking a vast

It permits them to question their beliefs and thoughts on the matter at hand, leading to a delayed outcome. This may not seem like a change that is worth looking back on; however, even if it is just a tiny baby step, it is still a step. Miss Maudie says, “…we’re making a step – it’s just a baby step, but it’s a step” (289). As Miss Maudie mentions, if it was not Atticus who defended Tom, this change would not have occurred. This lets Atticus’ defense to have a significance, which is seen through the postponed verdict than usual. In addition, looking back at how Judge Taylor has specifically appointed Atticus to defend Tom Robinson, if it were not for Atticus’ speech, “But there is one way in this country in which all men are created equal” (274). As well as his effort to try his best to prove Tom’s innocence, there will not have been a change. Maxwell Green was the supposed defendant of Tom. If it was Maxwell Green who was defending the accuser, the trial would have had no purpose, making it pointless. However, it is because of Judge Taylor that a change could be made and when the readers look more in depth, Judge Taylor have changed in his own accord as

Throughout the trial, it is perceptible that Judge Taylor was frustrated by the fixated perspectives of Maycomb County. Rather than pity the black community from afar, he decides to take action by appointing someone who will work to defend a Negro, which shows how the trial was not pointless. If the trial did not take place, than Judge Taylor would not have had a chance to take action, leading to Atticus not being appointed proving that the trial did bring a change to Judge Taylor. As Miss Maudie says, “Atticus Finch won’t win, he can’t win but he’s the only man in these parts who can keep a jury out so long in a case like this” (289). Also, Mr. Underwood was no different than the other Maycomb citizens. He despised the Negroes and ostracized to even sit next to one. Despite this fact, after witnessing the court case, his perspective has dissolved. It does not mean it has disappeared completely, but his discrimination towards the black community lost its strong existence in his heart. This is proven in his news article he publishes about the trial, “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