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To Kill A Mockingbird Rhetorical Analysis Essay On Equality

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Rhetorical Analysis Essay What does the word equality mean? Many can’t answer this question without using the word equal or the classic definition of being fair. However, the true definition of equality is having the same rights, freedom, and privilege as everyone else in the world, with no discrimination or prejudice towards race, gender, or any other physical characteristics that might determine an unfair predicament. Atticus Finch, a white, impartial, and practical man defending a man of no privilege, digs deep down into the roots of this four-syllable word by presenting a speech to the jury, condemning a white daughter and father who attempt to destroy the image of an innocent black man, Tom Robinson, due to their racial privilege. Atticus …show more content…

Atticus speaks with intellect, demonstrating he has been pursuing the action of law years prior. With such experience, Atticus sees that Mayella isn’t a human, a victim, or partially innocent in this biased courtroom case. Atticus expresses how “She has committed no crime, she has merely broken a rigid and time-honored code of our society, a code so severe that whoever breaks it is hounded from our midst as unfit to live with. She is the victim of cruel poverty and ignorance, but [he] cannot pity her: she is white” (Lee, 207). Atticus illustrates in his argument that Mayella is guilty by default. By referring to Mayella as ‘she,’ Atticus disregards her poverty-stricken life and lack of education, insisting that being white is enough. Enough to make up such lies about an innocent and independent black man, knowing that her affection and feelings towards Tom will be sheltered by the cloak of her white skin. By applying language such as ‘she,’ Atticus refuses to give her the respect of being referred to by her name. Furthermore, in comparison to Mayella, Tom Robinson is no monster, but “... a human being.” Atticus comments that “She must put Tom Robinson away from her. Tom Robinson was her daily reminder of what she did. What did she do? She tempted a Negro. ‘She was white, and she tempted a Negro. She did something that in our society is unspeakable: she kissed a black man’” (Lee, 207). Atticus repeats the word ‘she’ in order to suggest the idea of dehumanization, devaluing her as a human. Atticus’ word choice enhances the idea that Tom Robinson is indeed not guilty, and can be illustrated as the victim in this story of lies and

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