The Role Of The White Savior In To Kill A Mockingbird

Although the novel To Kill a Mockingbird is about inequality for black people in the 30’s, it is argued that it does not represent the black struggle properly. Some people believe that the white character, Atticus Finch, represents a savior for Tom Robinson since he is defending this black man, although this is not true. Harper lee does not follow the stereotype of the white savior based upon the characterization of Atticus Finch, the time period of the novel, and the poor black communities.
Atticus Finch is a kind, caring person who takes his job and his assignments seriously. Halfway through the book he is assigned a case of a man named Tom Robison. Tom is a black man being accused of raping and beating a white girl named Mayella Ewell. The lawsuit is “…worryin’ him to death” since this will be his most difficult defense yet (lee 184). Atticus did not chose to be belittled and threatened by his neighbors and friends, but it was inevitable with the case he was assigned. After he lost the case, Atticus was using “…every tool available…” to keep Tom alive because that was his job as his lawyer (Lee 323). He did not do it because he thought Tom needed saving, he did that because that is how he treats all of his suits. As the lawyer of a black man, Atticus made the decision to treat …show more content…
Atticus is a loving man who takes his job seriously and would not take a case out of pity or to be a savior. The book takes place in the 1930s so most of the respected lawyers are white. Because it takes place at this time, the black community is in poverty so they would not be able to afford a lawyer unless the court appointed them one. White does not mean savior. Black does not mean helpless. Helping is not always