“In every conceivable manner, the family is link to our past, bridge to our future.” Alex Haley. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is about a journey the main characters, Jem, Scout, and Atticus take in defense of a colored man named Tom Robinson. Robinson was accused of raping a white woman named Mayella. Though Atticus is a dexterous lawyer, Robinson 's skin color is a detriment to his freedom. The jury used little discretion when deciding the outcome of the trial and he was found guilty. The novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee displays the importance of courage, tolerance, and empathy in order to build a stronger society.
First, the Finch family shows loads of courage when dealing with certain situations …show more content…
Atticus is in court defending Tom Robinson and Mayella is called to the stand. She begins to think Atticus is insulting her, that he shows no empathy. The Judge Taylor points out that though Atticus is against her he still shows empathy. “We’ve done business in this court for years and years, and Mr. Finch is always courteous to everybody. He’s not trying to mock you, he’s trying to be polite. That’s just his way”(243). Though it doesn’t appear to Mayella, Atticus respects her and is showing empathy because Mayella is not being raised in the best environment. Judge Taylor almost makes an appeal that Atticus views everyone as equal, when he reality he does that is why he is defending Tom Robinson. Another is example is when atticus is giving his closing argument. “I have nothing but pity in my heart for the chief witness for the state, but my pity does not extend so far as to her putting a man’s life at stake, which she has done an effect to get rid of her own guilt”(271) Atticus is showing that he feels a sense of empathy or pity for Mayella, but he loses it when she puts his life at risk. Punishment for rape in Alabama is death. Atticus knows the Ewells are not good people, but Mayella had a sense of good. She tried to kiss Tom Robinson, her father saw and beat Mayella. It was framed as a rape and Tom was sent to prison. That’s where Atticus lost …show more content…
Atticus and the Finch family intentionally build an idea of an ideal society, built on tolerance, empathy, and courage. They send a message to the reader to follow what is believed to be right. There may be struggles and different forms of adversity on your journey but family with get you through it. The love of family is held together by courage, tolerance, and empathy each member expresses. By reading this novel, students today can learn the importance of family, and the huge role they play in