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Critical analysis of to kill a mockingbird
Critical analysis of to kill a mockingbird
Critical analysis of to kill a mockingbird
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For the closing statement of Atticus was moving speech that could not determine the fate of Tom Robinson’s verdict. Atticus used artistic proofs, anaphora, and multiple other persuasive tools to connect with his audience and to prove to the jury that Tom Robinson was innocent. Even with the substantial evidence against the Ewell’s testimony the prejudice and racism that was being shown to the black community in Maycomb overcame the truth. In Atticus’s closing statement he attempted to create people of all races equal in the court
Atticus Finch’s final speech to the jury in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird inspires readers of all ages. As any book critic will tell you Atticus gives one of the greatest speeches in literary history in order to defend Tom Robinson. In order to accomplish this feat Atticus applies the three appeals logos, ethos, and pathos.
Author Harper Lee, in her novel “To Kill A Mockingbird”, depicts a court trial in which Atticus Finch, a Maycomb County lawyer, attempts to defend an innocent black man, Tom Robinson, who was falsely accused of rape and beating by a young white woman, Mayella Ewell. Finch’s purpose is to prove Tom’s innocence to the court and avoid an inaccurate conviction. He adopts a deliberate tone in order to rule the jury’s speculation in favor of Robinsons guiltlessness. Atticus begins his argument by contrasting social moralities versus actual law.
Catherine Pulsifer, an inspirational book author, once said, “Your character defines who you are by the actions you take.” In other words, your actions will always speak louder than any words you speak. Honorable actions are what build an honorable character, which is what can be said for Atticus Finch, a character from the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus Finch was a righteous and honorable man who displayed many of Kamehameha Schools’ E Ola! Learner Outcomes, used to shape students into culturally, strong servant leaders.
Atticus takes the trial knowing the consequence that him and his family will be harrassed by the town because it is the right thing to do. Atticus finch decides to defend Tom Robinson to be a good role model for his children and prove that the “Golden Rule” is a rule to
“The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.” In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Atticus uses Pathos, ethos and logos to convince Tom Robinson could never have committed this crime. Atticus is fighting the inevitable battle of racism and trying to prove a black man's innocence in court. His strength and intelligence is about to change at least one person in the jury to look past his skin color and see him as an equal. Taking this one small step forward is a major step for the equality of everyone.
Atticus Finch expresses his logic on racism by saying, “There’s something in our world that makes men lose their heads- they couldn’t be fair if they tried. 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.” (Lee, Chapter 27). Atticus Finch is stating his personal reflections from the Tom Robinson trial.
Atticus is helping establish one of the main themes of this book, morality and ethics. He knows that Tom will not be acquitted, but he still gets the truth out which is a huge accomplishment. It leaves suspense in the story because the audience is not sure what it will accomplish, but they are hoping for something. It is important also because it shows one to take chances. Lee tries to get that across because nothing will happen unless someone tries to do something.
Humans live in a world where moral values are very clearly set determining what is good and what is bad. We know what scares us and how racism should be treated. Nevertheless, this was not the case back in Alabama during the 1950s. In the famous novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee narrates the lives of the people of Maycomb, Alabama, focusing on the story of Scout and Jem Finch, and the case of a said to be rape. In this emotion filled narrative, readers learn how life was back then not only in general, but for the separate social statuses that there was.
In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch employs pathos and diction in his closing argument to the jury and the people of Maycomb in order to persuade them to see beyond their prejudice and free Tom Robinson. Atticus informs the jury about the evil assumptions that society makes about Negroes. Pathos is used to persuade the jury when Atticus says, “Some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around women—black or white.
In addition, Atticus went against his moral code and principles he had always upheld before, especially in the Tom Robinson trial. Now, Atticus is faced with the decision of abiding by the law or breaking it in order to do the right thing. He knew that incarcerating a man, as withdrawn and solitary as Arthur would have been unforgivable. Especially, after Arthur had performed a great deed by saving his children 's life. He knew that exposing him would be an awful way of repaying him; it would have been like "shooting a mockingbird."
Atticus is often looked to for his infinite wisdom. He utilizes many
In our society, innocent people, known as mockingbirds, experience prejudice in their lives. A/T: In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Background: Tom Robinson is a black person who’s was accused of raping a white girl named Mayella Ewell which he has never done. For this reason, Atticus Finch was appointed to be his lawyer. As a result, Atticus takes a stand for him by approving his case and standing up for him, but Tom was still found guilty.
During the trial in the book to kill a mockingbird by Harper Lee. The Lawyer Atticus Finch uses rhetorical appeals such as ethos, logos, and pathos tap into the jury's sense of ethics, logic and emotion to convey Tom Robinson, a black man, is innocence in a rape case. Atticus uses ethos many times throughout his closing argument, His most powerful ones are “I would like to… remind you that this case is not a difficult one… but it does require you to be sure beyond all reasonable doubt as to the guilt of the defendant”. This makes the jury think again because Atticus is forcing the jury to look in at their own morals when he says to be sure upon all reasonable doubt.
Just like Gandhi made a movement without violence, Atticus Finch did as well. This man didn’t hurt a single Negro or a white person when he wanted to show that race meant nothing in the times before the court trial. When someone made prejudice remarks, he didn’t react in ferocious way, but instead, he kept it all in his mind, building up thoughts to a conclusion. According to BBC.co.uk/ethics, “The aim of non-violent conflict(or ahimsa) is to convert your opponent; to win over their mind and heart and persuade them that your point of view is right.” Atticus tried to win over the mind and heart of the jury (white farmers) with a very convincing testimony to change their point of view and to see Tom Robinson as a man, not a colored man.
