Lawyers are often faced with difficult cases, but Atticus Finch is faced with one that is almost impossible to defend. In “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Harper Lee introduces the reader to the Finch family consisting of Atticus, Jem, and Scout. The book is told from Scout’s point of view, which adds an interesting component considering she’s around the age of six. She is very intelligent for her age, however, she has a short temper that occasionally gets her into trouble. They live in Maycomb, Alabama; a tight-knit town that has hosted the same generations for centuries. Taking place in the 1930s, the town is greatly affected by the Great Depression and discrimination. Scout’s father, Atticus, was assigned a case to represent Tom Robinson, a young African American man who is accused of raping a white young women. He was ruled guilty and was sent back to jail. He would soon be executed, so he decided to try to run away. In his doing so, he was shot and killed. This case affects the lives of everyone in Maycomb, but especially Scout and Jem. Although racial ignorance results in Tom Robinson’s death, Atticus’ advice and actions demonstrates how considering a different perspective can prevent future tragedies.
When putting oneself in another’s shoes, it helps better understand others and their actions. Jem is questioning why Mr. Ewell would do such a thing as to spit in Atticus’ face and threaten him after the trial. Atticus had accused Mr. Ewell of abusing his daughter instead of