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Examples Of Justice In To Kill A Mockingbird

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Abigayle Paul

Lisa Copeland

English II Honors

March 24, 2023

Justice

The meaning of the word justice can be interpreted in many ways. In the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, we learn about Atticus Finch and his understanding of justice. The novel follows his journey as a lawyer on trying to get justice for an innocent man who is not given a fair trial because of the color of his skin.

Throughout the Novel, Lee allows the reader to understand Atticus’ understanding of Justice in multiple ways, one being choice and goodwill. He considered certain things to be the right thing to do and morally right. Atticus states, “The main one is, if I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this county in the …show more content…

He believed that despite your appearance you should be offered the same things as everyone else. Atticus states, “To begin with, this case should never have come to trial. This case is as simple as black and white” (205). Atticus sought out to find justice for Tom because he knew that the color of his skin played a major factor in why the case was not in his favor. This was against Atticus’ beliefs because he wanted everyone to be viewed equally and have the same opportunities for justice. Despite his beliefs, Atticus knew that the world wasn’t fair, and equality wasn’t always present. Atticus states, “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” (223). This went against his morals, but he knew it was the truth. He knew that despite his beliefs, reality was reality.

Disregarding the fact that Tom Robinson was charged as guilty, Atticus never lost hope in finding success within his case. Atticus states, “We’re not through yet. There’ll be an appeal, you can count on that” (216). Atticus was now committed to Tom Robinson’s case and was not going to stop until justice was served. Atticus states, “He’ll go to the chair, unless the governor commutes his sentence. Not time to worry yet, Scout. We’ve got a good chance” (222). With conversation about Tom losing the appeal, Atticus still has strong beliefs on winning

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WHile this may be a good question, it is idealistic. During the Finches times, desegregation activists were commonly shot and killed due to their viewpoints not lining up with societal norms. Atticus simply did what he had to do to stay in his position without seeming too biased. During the trial, he even tries to apeal to the reasoning of the court. He asks the court “What did she do?

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Atticus’ perspective goes hand-in-hand with his personal beliefs of equality. All of the personal beliefs of the characters were affected by their

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Ultimately, Atticus had an acceptable course of action based on the evidence shown. Atticus Finch became a part of a very controversial court case, and tried his best to defend Tom Robinson, a black man, even though he knew it would be tough to win. On page 274, Atticus says, “ 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.” In other words, Atticus believes that for the court system to be fair, it requires all evaluees to remember that all men are created equal no matter what their skin color looks like. During this time period, racism was very strong and sided with the whites.

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By mentioning this to the court he also brought in some pathos, something that appealed to emotions. Everyone can relate to not fitting in at one time or other. That it’s ok if you do something that other people is wrong, but you feel is right. I think Atticus does a good job of combining ethos, logos, and pathos into one strong statement. I think the statement that best represents this is, “I’m no idealist to believe firmly in the integrity of our courts and in the jury system – that is no ideal to me, it is a living, working a reality.

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In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus’s view of the Tom Robinson trial before the trial was that he needed to represent Tom even if he couldn’t win. Atticus believed that if he didn’t defend himself, he’d be betraying his beliefs. Once the trial began, Atticus remained adamant that Tom was innocent and committed to fighting for Tom regardless of whether the town’s prejudice is going to keep him from disproving the allegations. After the trial, Atticus was disappointed, yet his beliefs stayed strong as he was trying to teach his kids. Before the trial, Atticus was immediately drawn to the case because he believed that Tom was innocent and he would be the one to represent him.

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Atticus most effectively uses emotionally charged language while being respectful in his final remarks to elicit emotions and sympathy to strengthen his facts to bring justice to Tom Robinson. Atticus identifies Tom’s human characteristics to garner sympathy from the jury. Throughout his final remarks on the case he uses certain words to make the audience see Tom as a human worthy of respect and justice. Here, Atticus provides the evidence where the court and jury have prejudice towards Tom.

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He chose to put himself at risk alongside his children to prove Tom Robinson’s innocence and to bring him justice. He taught his children that life involves making difficult decisions. He did not cower in the face of trouble and he held his head high in the community. This lesson became evident throughout the trial and his children learned to respect all people and that doing the right thing is never easy but it is more important than hiding behind closed doors while innocent people suffer. Atticus made a stand, and his children followed in his footsteps.

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He shows, through defending Tom, that he believes he might have a chance of winning the court case. Scout says that, “Atticus assured us that nothing would happen to Tom Robinson until the higher court reviewed his case“ (Lee 219). This shows that Atticus believes he has a chance in court showing us his innocence. However, Atticus is still exposed to the depths of racism. He is teased, tantalized, and bullied for defending Tom.

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As said by Atticus,” I don’t know but they did it tonight and they’ll do it again and when they do it-seems that only children weep.” (213). Because Tom is judged guilty Atticus believes that the justice system is sometimes unfair and unethical, to colored people and it may continue that way for a long time.

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From the late 1870s through the mid-1960s, Jim Crow laws affected many African Americans. With these laws, blacks were given very limited rights and were often victims of unfair judgment. In Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch, a highly educated lawyer, gets a case where he needs to defend a black man named Tom Robinson. Atticus faces many challenges, including judgment from the white community in his town and questions from his kids about the trial. Atticus demonstrates moral integrity, bravery, and empathy in response to conflict, which connects to the idea that one should achieve social justice by following morals, taking a stand when no one else will, and understanding other people’s perspectives.

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While having a discussion with Scout Atticus says, “The main one is, if I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town. I couldn’t represent this county in the legislator. I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again.” ( Lee 75 ).

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One of the most recognizable forms of social justice is the character of Atticus Finch in the 1930’s setting of the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. In To KIll a Mockingbird, the author, Harper Lee’s ideas on social justice are revealed through detailed representations of wisdom, loyalty, and selflessness

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We also see throughout the book how he always does his best to teach this to his children. Atticus is the same person no matter where he is (at home or in the courtroom) and no matter who he is dealing with. He treats everyone with a high level of respect no matter who they are, what race they are, or what beliefs they have. He also is a very modest man. He never brags about his skills or intelligence, or uses them to show off.

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Although he is appointed to defend Tom Robinson, Atticus does his best to prove Tom’s innocence, despite the ridicule imposed on him and his family. When Scout asks why Atticus is defending Tom he responds with, “For a number of reasons… The main one is, if I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this country in legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again” (Lee 100). This shows that Atticus has a strong sense of righteousness and will affirm to what is right.

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When the reader is first introduced to Tom Robinson we learn that he has been accused of forcing himself on a woman. It seems that he has accepted the situation that he is in, he understands that his fate is held in his lawyer's hands. Atticus is scout's father and a well-known and dependable lawyer in their small town of Maycomb. Tom Robinson is given a trial and Atticus tries his best to defend him but unfortunately, the jury decided that Rom Robinson is guilty despite very convincing evidence that proves he is not guilty when the jailers were talking tom away Atticus tells him that"It's not time to worry yet," and reassures him that "We're not through yet. There'll be an appeal, you can count on that.

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