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How Does Atticus Give Em A Reason In To Kill A Mockingbird

515 Words3 Pages

Danielle Chi
Miss Lafferty
HS English - Summer Assignment - C3
July 28, 2014
Literary Questions on To Kill a Mockingbird
In chapter 20, Mr. Raymond states that he acts drunk so that it can “give ‘em a reason” (Lee, 268). How do his actions relate to Atticus and his actions? Give examples to assist your claims. Mr. Raymond feigns a drunken demeanor so that Maycomb’s citizens can have a justification for his failed marriage and his divergent opinions (Lee, 267 - 269). While Atticus is criticized for his actions in defending Tom Robinson (Lee, 135 - 138). Though these characters seem to contrast in reactions, both men have similarities in terms of circumstances. Both Atticus and Mr. (Dolphus) Raymond come from wealthy and traditional families (5 - 6, 214 - 215). Furthermore, both men understand the injustice of racism and wish equality among the community, “‘Cry about the hell white people give to coloured folks, without even stopping to think that they’re people, too.’ / ‘Atticus says cheatin’ a colored man is ten times worse than cheatin’ a white man,’” (Lee, 269).
What does it mean to kill a mockingbird? How does a mockingbird relate to Tom Robinson and the court case? …show more content…

The case between Tom Robinson and his prosecutors portray one of the many examples Miss Lee wrote of “killing mockingbirds” throughout the plot. The mockingbird, during the case, represented an innocent being that has been wronged by another unjustly. Thus is the case for Tom Robinson, he had been wrongly indicted for an unforgivable felony and set through a futile attempt to redeem himself and the whole reason why his innocence was unattainable, was because his skin colour contrasted to his white neighbours (Lee, 248,

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