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Essay On Atticus Search For Justice

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A Search For Justice In To Kill a Mockingbird
“Justice consists not in being neutral between right and wrong, but in finding out the right and upholding it, whenever found, against the wrong’’ - Teddy Roosevelt. This highlights the actions that Atticus and Mrs. Dubose take throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Atticus always does what he thinks is right and does not follow what the other citizens of Maycomb, Alabama do. Atticus, the father of Jem and Scout, who live in Maycomb, teaches his kids to do what they believe is right. In the novel, characters try to do the right thing but are unsuccessful in their search for justice, which shows the only way to fight a predetermined outcome is to follow one’s own morality.
Atticus knows that he does not have a good chance to win the trial because he is defending Tom Robinson, who is a black man, but this does not stop Atticus from following what he believes is right. Atticus is not in an ideal situation because the people of Maycomb have never given equal rights to people of color. Atticus announces, “I’m no idealist to believe firmly of our courts and in the jury system-- that is no ideal to me, it is a living, working reality. …show more content…
Atticus knows he must try to defend Tom Robinson because he wouldn't feel right if he didn’t. Mrs. Dubose knows she must keep her promise she made to herself about her drugs and listen to her own morality. Atticus thinks Jem has committed the murder of Bob Ewell and does not want to connive this from society, Atticus would rather follow his morals than try to get out of his situation by lying. Teddy Roosevelt’s quote about justice is what Atticus and Mrs. Dubose strive to achieve, as they would rather die doing what they want to than live doing the wrong

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