Everyone in the South was expected to go along with this way of life, and when they didn’t bad things would start to happen. In To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Tom Robinson, a colored man, has been accused of raping a white woman. Everyone in town believes he did it because of the color of his skin, but there are a few who don’t. Atticus Finch is asked to defend Robinson at his trial, and provides an almost airtight case proving his innocence. “I peeked at Jem: his hands were white from gripping the balcony rail, and his shoulders jerked as if each “guilty” was a separate stab between them.” (Lee 178,179). Jem and Scout, Atticus’ children, are convinced that Robinson is innocent. Jem was convinced Robinson’s innocence from the start, passing no judgement based on skin color. He is sure the jury, of old white men, will agree with him because Robinson’s innocence is pure logic. This is why he is so shocked when they choose prejudice feelings over the logic of the situation. “From the way he stood Jem was not thinking of budging.” (Lee 128). From the beginning of the story Jem has displayed traits of courage, littered with logic. When it comes to doing what everyone else wants him to and what he believes is right, he will always go with his gut. He has learned to stand up for what he believes in, even if it may put him in danger. For him society’s bias is just that, a bias, there is nothing for him to agree with because none of it is based on logic. For Jem logic rules over all, so he does not understand why some people think based on society, and not based on their own thoughts.“They’ve done it before and they did it tonight and they’ll do it again and when they do it- seems that only children weep.” (Lee 180). Jem is shocked and appalled by the jury’s verdict and asks Atticus why they decided that Robinson was guilty. Atticus understands
Everyone in the South was expected to go along with this way of life, and when they didn’t bad things would start to happen. In To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Tom Robinson, a colored man, has been accused of raping a white woman. Everyone in town believes he did it because of the color of his skin, but there are a few who don’t. Atticus Finch is asked to defend Robinson at his trial, and provides an almost airtight case proving his innocence. “I peeked at Jem: his hands were white from gripping the balcony rail, and his shoulders jerked as if each “guilty” was a separate stab between them.” (Lee 178,179). Jem and Scout, Atticus’ children, are convinced that Robinson is innocent. Jem was convinced Robinson’s innocence from the start, passing no judgement based on skin color. He is sure the jury, of old white men, will agree with him because Robinson’s innocence is pure logic. This is why he is so shocked when they choose prejudice feelings over the logic of the situation. “From the way he stood Jem was not thinking of budging.” (Lee 128). From the beginning of the story Jem has displayed traits of courage, littered with logic. When it comes to doing what everyone else wants him to and what he believes is right, he will always go with his gut. He has learned to stand up for what he believes in, even if it may put him in danger. For him society’s bias is just that, a bias, there is nothing for him to agree with because none of it is based on logic. For Jem logic rules over all, so he does not understand why some people think based on society, and not based on their own thoughts.“They’ve done it before and they did it tonight and they’ll do it again and when they do it- seems that only children weep.” (Lee 180). Jem is shocked and appalled by the jury’s verdict and asks Atticus why they decided that Robinson was guilty. Atticus understands