To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a novel told from the perspective of a girl named Scout, about a white lawyer who defends a black men in the 1930s. Atticus is a lawyer who decides to defend Tom Robinson, even though he is not required to take is case. In literature, a hero is defined as a person who is “admired for achievements and noble qualities, shows great courage, and is the central figure in an event, period, or movement” (Webster 1-2). Lee chooses Atticus as the unique lawyer who combats prejudice in Maycomb to defend Tom Robinson and support his beliefs. She sends an overall message that Atticus is the man who protects Tom, the “mockingbird” who is killed for his innocence, which symbolizes the title of the novel. Atticus is
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Atticus is an admirable character who can speak badly about Maycomb and still love the community. He speaks against the racism in Maycomb to influence the jurors to declare Tom not guilty, during the trial (Godwin Phelps 166-167). Atticus’ mission is to defend Tom Robinson by making the jurors set aside their racist views. He does not criticize anyone because he is not against anyone in Maycomb. Many people look up to Atticus because of his confidence when speaking for Tom, during the trial. Atticus “treats everybody with respect, regardless of class or color. He is courageous, both in zealously pursuing Tom's defense while knowing that it will not succeed and in arming himself only with a newspaper though anticipating a confrontation with a lynch mob. In sum, Atticus's is a voice of decency, wisdom, and reason, courageously speaking out against bigotry, ignorance, and prejudice” (Dare 97). Racism and cruelty is very prominent in Maycomb, as shown by the group of white people who want to lynch Tom. Atticus righteously takes the case that can save Tom’s life and expose the unfair inequality in Maycomb. During his speech, he says, “Which, gentlemen, we know is in itself a lie as black as Tom Robinson’s skin, a lie I do not have to point out to you” (Lee 232). His closing statement is a significant speech in the novel that influences the jury’s views on the case. Words like “gentlemen” and “we know” indicate Atticus’ politeness and confidence when speaking to the jury. Although Atticus does not win the case, he makes the jury consider the verdict for several hours and give Tom a bigger chance of
Atticus is an admirable character who can speak badly about Maycomb and still love the community. He speaks against the racism in Maycomb to influence the jurors to declare Tom not guilty, during the trial (Godwin Phelps 166-167). Atticus’ mission is to defend Tom Robinson by making the jurors set aside their racist views. He does not criticize anyone because he is not against anyone in Maycomb. Many people look up to Atticus because of his confidence when speaking for Tom, during the trial. Atticus “treats everybody with respect, regardless of class or color. He is courageous, both in zealously pursuing Tom's defense while knowing that it will not succeed and in arming himself only with a newspaper though anticipating a confrontation with a lynch mob. In sum, Atticus's is a voice of decency, wisdom, and reason, courageously speaking out against bigotry, ignorance, and prejudice” (Dare 97). Racism and cruelty is very prominent in Maycomb, as shown by the group of white people who want to lynch Tom. Atticus righteously takes the case that can save Tom’s life and expose the unfair inequality in Maycomb. During his speech, he says, “Which, gentlemen, we know is in itself a lie as black as Tom Robinson’s skin, a lie I do not have to point out to you” (Lee 232). His closing statement is a significant speech in the novel that influences the jury’s views on the case. Words like “gentlemen” and “we know” indicate Atticus’ politeness and confidence when speaking to the jury. Although Atticus does not win the case, he makes the jury consider the verdict for several hours and give Tom a bigger chance of