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How Does Atticus Show Justice In To Kill A Mockingbird

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“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 …show more content…

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 …show more content…

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

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During the trial, Atticus reveals that, “Mayella Ewell was beaten savagely,”(Lee). Mayella and her father claimed the abuser to be Tom Robinson. As Mayella had been beaten mostly on her left side, Atticus mentioned that Mayella’s father “swore out a warrant, no doubt signing it with his left hand,”(Lee). By showing Mayella’s father’s dominant hand, the newfound information that he was possibly guilty entered the jury’s minds, yet Tom Robinson was still a suspect. To defend Tom, Atticus said that, “Tom Robinson now sits before you, having taken the oath with the only good hand he possesses-his right,”(Lee).

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To Atticus this case resembles chance. He believes that everyone should have a fair chance to speak out for what they believe in. As Tom Robinson’s trial took place, Atticus was determined to prove Tom’s innocence as his testimonies prove that towards the case but is declared guilty. This has occurred because Tom Robinson felt sorry for Mayella when Atticus was questioning Bob. This has lead the jury not to believe that a black man could feel sorry for a white woman.

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Atticus took the case because he thinks that Tom deserves a fair trial, he wants to confront the prejudice of Maycomb, and because of his morals. Atticus wants to give Tom the fairest trial he can have. “There’s been some high talk around town to the effect that I shouldn’t do much about defending this man” (Chapter 9, Page 100). What this implies is that Atticus is aware of the prejudice that is bombarding Tom, even before he enters the courtroom. Knowing that the trial’s outcome is nearly inevitable, Atticus takes the position to give Tom a chance and to ensure that he has the greatest chance of an innocent verdict.

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Of course, she blames Robinson for the act, despite the inconsistent certitude that his left arm was eviscerated in a cotton mill during a calamitous accident suffered during his childhood. This startling attestation is furthermore enunciated when Atticus utilizes delayed sentence in the following declaration: “Tom Robinson now sits before you, having taken the oath with the only good hand he possesses—his right hand,”(Lee 273). By highlighting Tom’s crippled state in such a melodramatic fashion, Atticus not only establishes the now nearly irrefutable notion of Robinson’s innocence, but also garners sympathy from the jury for his client, both of which are essential factors in his

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Atticus also takes on defending an African American. Not many people would do this back then people they were racist and rude. When Atticus took on this case he knew that they didn’t have a shot at winning, but he took it on anyway because he knew it was the right thing to do. The town was rude and disrespectful to Atticus, but Atticus never backed down. Atticus also did his best to defend Tom and overall with all the evidence Tom should not have been guilty.

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Atticus takes the case when no one else would since Tom is black and there is still prejudice in the book. When Atticus takes the case he is hated by many people since he is defending a black man, but Atticus doesn’t care he wants to win this case. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee demonstrates the themes of growing up, prejudice, and courage. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, it shows growing up in many ways

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(171) This quote is important as the action described here cannot be done by Tom Robinson as he only has one useful arm. This closing remark from To Kill A Mockingbird alludes that Tom Robinson had not even harmed Mayella in any way, but that Bob Ewell both beat and raped Mayella “The state has not produced one iota of medical evidence to the effect that the crime Tom Robinson is charged with ever took place. It has relied instead upon the testimony of two witnesses whose evidence has not only been called into serious question on cross-examination, but has been flatly contradicted by the defendant. The defendant is not guilty, but somebody in this courtroom is.”

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Once Atticus fully understands what he has been told by Mayella about what happened the day of the crime, he does his job as a lawyer and strongly defends Tom Robinson. He accuses Mayella of lying, knowing that she was only doing it to get what she and Maycomb wanted. “‘Tom, stand up. Let Miss Mayella have a good long look at you. Is this the man, Miss Mayella?’...

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Atticus takes on the case of Tom even though all odds are against him. Tom Robinson is a black man who is falsely accused of raping a white woman. The people in the town are taking out their anger and frustration over the case on Atticus. During this time, the color of Tom's skin is what is making people think he was guilty. Atticus knows that he will get a case that will affect his home life eventually, and this case was it.

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1079 Words | 5 Pages

He explains how it is not fair to Tom that just because he is black, he is unjustly accused of something. Atticus understands and tries to point out the fact that if it was a white man in Tom’s position, the jury would have a different opinion on the situation. Atticus displays a prime example of how someone should try to achieve social justice, even when the situation is unfair. Also, while saying his statements, Atticus exclaims how Tom felt sorry for a white woman, Mayella, and that he had been forced to put his own word against two white people. Here, Atticus reinforces the thought of how this jury is unfair to Tom.

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436 Words | 2 Pages

Atticus could not live with himself if he failed to give his utmost effort in clearing the accused, Tom Robinson’s, name. The lawyer feels that he has to do it. The people of Maycomb are small minded and hypocritical, Atticus Finch is not. Nothing can be done to make the towns people hear the truth. Tom Robinson, would be a free man, living with his family, if it wasn’t for the people of Maycomb.

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1166 Words | 5 Pages

Despite racial inequalities in the South, Atticus sticks to his own morals and agrees to be the defending lawyer for Tom Robinson, a black man being accused of raping a white woman. Although Atticus’ defense in court was thorough and clearly proved Tom’s innocence, the jury was prejudiced towards black folks and convicted Tom as guilty. Nonetheless, Atticus is still a hero despite losing the case. He has the courage to stand up for what he believes in, fights with reason rather than guns, and has utmost determination, making him a hero despite being just an average human being. Ultimately, his thoughts and actions set the stage for major changes in the meaning of equality throughout Maycomb County, changing lives of numerous people.

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749 Words | 3 Pages

The trial taught his kids that you can’t always win, and it also taught them that wisdom is power. Tom Robinson’s trial shed light upon how biased court cases were against African Americans. Maycomb continued to be racist after the trial, but you could tell that a few of the people who were against Tom knew that Atticus was right during the court scene. Atticus uses logic to prove his point, rather than biased opinions based around stereotypes. One example of this is when he debunks the Ewells’ accusations by pointing out the fact that Tom Robinson didn’t have the ability to attack Mayella’s face because he had lost the use of his left arm.

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1215 Words | 5 Pages

During the prejudice time of the 1930s’ in Maycomb, many believed that white people are superior and anyone of a race other than that is not of importance. Atticus shows that he is brave enough to go against his peers opinions’ on people of color and go for his beliefs of equality. Atticus’s motivation to stand up and defend a black man comes from his family, whom he knows he has to set a good example of being a good person

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828 Words | 4 Pages

Atticus 's strong sense of morality and justice motivates him to defend Tom with vigor and determination, giving it all he 's got with one mission in mind. He wants the people of

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