How Does Atticus Show Justice In To Kill A Mockingbird

“Karma’s gonna track you down step by step from town to town” (“Karma” by Taylor Swift). In life, some people do good things and fight for justice. Others with bad blood choose to do bad things and they get the karma they deserve. Justice is very important, especially in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. This novel takes place in Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930s where a black man, Tom Robinson, is accused of raping a white woman. Throughout the case, Atticus fights for justice against mean and racist people that care more about Robinson’s skin color rather than the evidence. Atticus understands a lot about justice and learns more after his experience with Tom’s case. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus’s experience

First, Atticus is a lawyer, which expresses that he has experience and an understanding of justice. This important detail allows the reader to see that Atticus has this mindset and a lot of experience with justice. Another example which presents Atticus’s understanding of justice is how he understands the racism in Maycomb. Atticus sees the problems of Maycomb and knows that many people in the town are racist. “‘That boy might go to the chair, but he’s not going till the truth’s told.’ Atticus’s voice was even.” (Lee 166). Atticus is referring to how Tom Robinson might be killed because of these accusations against him even though there is no hard proof against him yet. In Maycomb, many people were racist and since Tom Robinson is black he was treated unfairly by many people in the town. However, Atticus aims to find justice and the truth for Tom Robinson which shows his understanding of justice is fair. Atticus’s search of peace and closure for Tom Robinson is also important to the theme. While many people of Maycomb judge Tom due to the color of his skin, Atticus

In the case, Atticus presents evidence and reasoning to show that Tom Robinson is not guilty. An important part of this case was the evidence supporting Tom. Mayella claimed that Tom Robinson did many things to her. “Miss Mayella, you’ve testified that the defendant choked and beat you…He blacked your left eye with his right fist?” (Lee 212). These claims were very questionable due to the fact that Tom Robinson had a huge injury which would prevent him from doing these things. Tom had an accident with a cotton gin which tore apart his left arm. “His left arm was fully twelve inches shorter than his right, and hung dead at his side. It ended in a small shriveled hand, and from as far away as the balcony I could see that it was no use to him.” (Lee 211). This is significant in many ways. The likelihood that Tom Robinson did what Mayella claimed with one arm is unlikely since it is hard to assault someone with one arm. This unlikely scenario allows the audience and the characters in the story to see how Tom Robinson is innocent. This exposure is what Atticus was searching for. Atticus knew he couldn’t win the case because of the racism in Maycomb that would lead to people siding against Tom. However, Atticus planned to fight until the truth was told. The case was more than winning or losing, it was about exposing the truth for Tom. By providing this evidence and showing