Tom Robinson's Justice System

Lee’s statement about the justice system in America takes center stage for a majority of the novel, and is most powerfully communicated through Scout’s disappointment and confusion about the relations and events of the courtroom. She is particularly affected by Tom Robinson’s case because her father is the defense lawyer. Atticus struggles to justly defend Robinson without jeopardizing his reputation in Maycomb County, and damaging his relationships with his neighbors. He has many connections with people in positions of power, and people who have influence in his children’s lives. He does not want to endanger them or their future, but he also does not want to send an innocent man to prison. The issue of Tom Robinson’s race is what causes the

Scout herself is an outcast and defies what was considered “normal” for girls at the time. She is drawn to like-minded individuals, such as Dill, who refuses to succumb to the pressures his family places on him. Both of them go against gender roles, which was rare at the time. Even the Finches’ neighbors defy the social code, exposing a double standard and rampant hypocrisy. Boo Radley, Miss Maudie, and Mrs. Dubose all possess small qualities that set them apart from the majority of society. Scout also encounters many people during her journey who fit the description of an “outlaw”. Outside the county courthouse, Scout meets Dolphus Raymond, who has “violated the southern code” by living a life free of discrimination, and having mixed children (Johnson 3). Scout deeply relates to all of these people, and is comforted by by their similar experiences being “just in-betweens” who “don’t belong anywhere” (Lee

Her voice is truly the centerpiece of the novel, and Lee is able to manipulate Scout’s unique point of view to communicate a variety of messages about southern society. She is young, but old enough to understand, and not too old to make discoveries for herself. She is a girl growing up in a patriarchal society, allowing Lee to touch upon gender roles and sexism as well as racial justice and social codes. She is white, and privileged, but not bigoted as a result of this. She is compassionate and curious, allowing her to inspect all sides of a situation before forming her opinion. By questioning society’s taboos she is unconsciously fighting back against them, and making a statement. Scout stands up for herself, and others, and her lifestyle is not compatible with that of a typical southern citizen at the time. Her unique coming-of-age experience shapes the novel, and has allowed it to stand the test of time to become a contemporary literary