Atticus a well known lawyer in the little town of Maycomb in the book To Kill a Mockingbird. He comes up against a tough, rock solid case including an African American man and a young woman who grew up in poverty. Atticus has trust in the power in using the three models of rhetoric. Ethos,Pathos and Logos to prove to the jury that his client is innocent and can walk out of court that day a free man. (Lee).
Racism is one of the most influential concepts that drive people to make the worst of decisions. Atticus Finch in “To Kill a Mockingbird” (TKM), uses rhetorical appeals in an attempt to save a black man from being falsely convicted. I believe that the movie version of Atticus’s closing statement was more convincing than the book version. This essay will discuss the rhetorical appeals used both in the book and movie; and why the movie’s version was more effective.
No hope. No equity. Some of those rebels use radical schemes to make statements, while others simply stand in the streets and preach. Harper Lee chose a different way to display her disapproval — writing. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee employs irony, symbolism, and humor to launch real world ideas and values at the public, and lets them slowly come to a realization on where our problems really lie.
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.
Rhetorical Precis Writing Atticus Finch, a fictional character within Harper Lee’s 1930s set novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, (1960) argues that Tom Robinson is innocent, and rather the defenseless victim of a society ruled by prejudice. Consequently, through Atticus, Harper Lee supports this argument by applying the use of rhetorical appeals and literary devices. For instance, Lee establishes ethos through the utilization of an allusion to Thomas Jefferson, showing Atticus’s credibility and education: “‘Thomas Jefferson once said that all men are created equal” (Lee 233).
Through his words and actions, a character can “come to life” for the reader, in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird,the author draws vivid picture of atticus Finch as he responds with conflict. Throughout this story there is a lot of social justice involved. Harper Lee showed this through Atticus.
In the argument between Mr.Gilmer and Atticus In to kill a mockingbird about Tom Robinson being found guilty for raping Mayella. There was impressive work of rhetorical analysis (Logos, Pathos, and Ethos). This argument takes place in a courthouse in Maycomb which if packed with the people of Maycomb. The argument between Atticus and Mr.Gilmer was about Tom Robinson to find out if he truly raped and abused Mayella. In the argument between them both used Logos, Ethos, and Pathos.
Racism is ever so prevalent, and makes fighting for Robinson exceptionally harder. Harper Lee uses Words of the Wiser, dialogue, and Aha Moments to help the characters solve their problems. To begin, a frequent craft move in the story is Words of the Wiser. There are many situations in which Atticus is giving Scout some wise advice that will help her solve her problems. There is one particular problem Scout had that was a prime example of Words of the Wiser.
In the book “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Harper Lee uses negative connotation and vivid symbolism to persuade that being judged by an outward appearance or backstory can affect a person negatively and make the judgers feel superior. Lee uses an outstanding amount of characters to persuade this but some distinctive characters that she uses is Aunt Alexandra and the Cunningham’s. Lee also uses the Ewells and Tom Robinson to persuade her meaning. In chapter twenty-three Scout asks Aunt Alexandra if she can play with Walter Cunningham but Aunt Alexandra declines the request and does not give Scout permission to play with Walter. She explains why plus starts to judge Walter.
In “To Kill a Mockingbird”, Harper Lee demonstrates the power of courage in Atticus Finch and Mrs. Dubose, showing that true courage is continuing on the path of what is right no matter the consequences, humiliation, or difficulty along the way. Mrs. Dubose exhibits courage by fighting her morphine addiction in order to die free, a seemingly impossible task. Though it may be difficult, even painful at times, she pushes through, facing her problems rather that ignoring them in hope that she can die with dignity and pride in the person she was. When Atticus explained her situation and goal to his children, he told them that Mrs. Dubose “said she was going to leave this world beholden to nothing and nobody. Jem, when you’re sick as she was,
Birds singing the lovely tune of a mockingbird will wake in the morn as children play. Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird plays out events in a small county residing in Alabama called Maycomb. It is described as a “Maycomb was an old town, but it was a tired old town when I first knew it. In rainy weather the streets turned to red slop; grass grew on the sidewalks, the courthouse sagged in the square.” (Lee, 6).
Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee not only includes progressive ideas, she also emphasizes standing up for what you believe in and using words as a force for change, rather than violence. Lee uses the character of Atticus to teach morals to the reader through Atticus’s instruction to Jem and
In this Allusion Atticus uses three comparisons saying that in court a pauper is equal to a Rockefeller and the stupid man is equivalent to an Einstein; The court is the great equalizer. Atticus also uses many varying styles of syntax which creates strong logos and pathos appeals, and persuades his court. A fitting example of this is when Atticus explains, “And so a quiet, respectable, humble Negro who had the unmitigated temerity to ‘feel sorry’ for a white woman has had to put his word against two white people.
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.
Atticus Finch’s summation speech to the jury at Tom Robinson’s trial is successful because of the elements of literary style he employs in these closing remarks. The four different types of literary devices that Atticus employs are: diction, syntax, imagery, and irony. These four literary devices strengthen Atticus’ closing remarks by giving it more diversity and depth.
