Figurative Language In To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird uses of language In the book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee’s use of language illustrates the kind of character that Atticus is, what he believes, the emotion he feels, and what kind of writer Harper Lee is. The use of figurative language, sarcasm, repetition of certain words to build emphasis, and word choice really determine the mood and power of Atticus’ speech.
Atticus’ beliefs can be noticed in the speech. Although they are not directly stated, the reader can indirectly infer that Atticus believes in equality and justice based on how he words his speech. He makes his speech easy to understand for everyone in the jury, including the uneducated. He also continues defending Tom Robinson even though Atticus knows

“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.” Another thing is Atticus simply states it out in paragraph 11 that Mayella was beaten with someone’s left hand, Ewell is left handed, and that the only good hand Tom Robinson possessed was his right hand. Meaning that Tom Robinson didn’t hurt Mayella. Atticus also made his speech relatively easy to understand. He made it so that all people could understand it despite the amount of education they have had. Atticus also never directly points fingers at anyone really. If he does he does it very indirectly. The person who truly beat Mayella is never called out directly in Atticus’ speech. Atticus just states who is left handed and involved in the case. And Atticus says that Ewell is left handed. The reader can infer that it was Ewell who beat Mayella based on context clues and

Atticus argues a lot about why Tom Robinson is innocent. Atticus restates the evidence in paragraphs 5-11. In paragraph 5 Atticus states that “To begin with, this case should never have come to trial. This case is as simple as black and white.” Atticus then states in paragraph 6 how the medical evidence and cross examination also proves Tom Robinson innocent. In paragraph 7, Atticus puts some blame on Mayella because Mayella lied. She lied to hide her own mistake of tempting a black person. And the fact that Mayella would hide the evidence like that and put an innocent man’s life at stake makes Atticus angry. Atticus states in paragraph 9 that Mayella knew what she was doing and that she knew what the consequences of her own actions were. In paragraph 10, Atticus goes on to say that “Tom Robinson was being a decent human being and that Mayella knew she had to put Tom Robinson away from her because of the fact that Mayella had to put him away from her to hide the evidence.” In paragraph 10, it is stated that “Mayella tempted Robinson and because her father saw it, everything came crashing down on her.” In paragraph 11 it states that Mayella’s father saw her. Mayella’s father was angry that she would kiss a black man. Because of this, the reader can infer that Ewell then beats Mayella with his left hand and possibly rapes her as well. Ewell then writes out the warrant with his left