ST. MIKE’S 5-PARAGRAPH TKAMB ESSAY – JORDAN 2021 Jordan Wong Mr. Deneault, English Grade 7 June 14, 2021 “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived; it is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” - Nelson Mandela. This is how things were for Atticus Finch, a father and a lawyer in the town of Maycomb, who is faced with a lot of criticism when he has to defend Tom Robinson, a Black man, who is accused of a terrible crime against a white woman. While many people in the town are angry that Tom Robinson will get a trial, and that Atticus will represent him, Atticus earns a lot of respect from the people in Maycomb because of the way that he lives his life …show more content…
After Tom Robinson, a Black man, was accused of a terrible crime against a white woman, Atticus is the only one who believes that he deserves to have a fair trial. He chose to defend Tom Robinson, even though he knew that a Black man would have no chance of winning. Atticus was criticized for taking on this case, and the whites were very angry that Tom Robinson was not immediately killed. They did not think that he even deserved a trial. One day, an angry mob led by Mr. Cunningingham, one of the townspeople, arrived at the jail to take justice into their own hands. They wanted to kill Tom Robinson, but Atticus was there and tried to stop them. Soon after, Scout arrived and she tried to fight them off, but Atticus told her not to fight. Then Scout began talking to Mr. Cunningham about regular things which helped to remind him that he is a father just like Atticus. Even though they criticized Atticus for defending Tom Robinson, he was respected as a father and Mr. Cunningham called off the mob. If they had not respected Atticus, they would have gone ahead with their plan to kill Tom Robinson. Another example of how Atticus was respected was seen in the courtroom on the day that the verdict was being read. Even though the whites criticized Atticus for defending Tom, the Blacks in Maycomb respected him for doing so and many of them …show more content…
He is respected for being kind and calm in how he responds to difficult situations, for having high moral values and not being easily swayed, and for his intelligence as a respected lawyer in Maycomb. Although Atticus was definitely respected, he certainly faced a lot of criticism for defending Tom Robbinson, a Black man, during a racially divided