Atticus Finch Discrimination
Martin Luther King Junior powerfully states, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” Would you have the courage to be the light in darkness and the love that drives out hate? To Kill a Mocking Bird is beautifully written by Harper Lee. This story takes its place in the 1930’s in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama. Jem and Scout Finch are very adventurous young children. Therefore, Atticus Finch their widowed father, has a difficult job. Nevertheless, Mr. Finch does achieve significant help with the children from the Negro maid, Calpurnia. During the 1930’s many people are prejudice towards the Negros. The Finch family is not. They love their African American friend, Calpurnia and in no way would they ever turn their backs on her. Tom Robinson, a Negro citizen of Maycomb is the talk of the town. He is accused of raping a young white girl, named Mayella Ewell. This case is now going to court. Much of the town’s population is prejudice toward the Negros. Therefore, the lawyers of Maycomb Alabama did not want to touch Tom Robinson’s impending case. At this point, Attorney Finch is now faced with the
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grueling decision on whether or not to defend Tom Robinson in this divisive case. Atticus should have defended Tom Robinson in this court case for these reasons, Atticus learns courage, Atticus builds long lasting friendships with the Negros, and Atticus brings attention to the prejudice issue facing the community. Many believe attorney Finch should not defend the accused rapist Tom Robinson. Mrs. Dubose , a conservative elderly neighbor of the Finch family, affirms that Atticus is going against his raising by representing Robinson. She asserts that by doing so he is becoming just like the Negros. However, Atticus took advantage of the opportunity that was set before him. He yearns for the people of Maycomb to view everyone as equal. This is Atticus’ chance to overcome the racial inequality and the raising of the next generation. In the 1930’s, the people of Maycomb, Alabama frown upon any association or protection of the Negro community.
The town shows their adament disapproval of Atticus’ defense of Tom Robinson. Jem and Scout Finch suffer under the jeering and name calling of the prejudice town’s children. The Finch siblings were not only made fun of at school but also by their extended family. The ignorance of the town made it difficult for the Finch family. Atticus’ courage and pioneering spirit would not allow the hardships to detour the defense of Robinson. Even though a whole town comes against Atticus and his family, he courageously unveils the truth about Mayella Ewell and fights for justice. Atticus surges on with courage and defends Tom Robinson while taking on the prejudices of Maycomb,
Alabama. Atticus builds never ending friendships with the Negros through defending Tom Robinson. He begins to search for and listen to Tom’s side of the story. Atticus does not tackle the evidence with a preconceived notion. Tom is enamored with Atticus’ respect toward him despite his spotted reputation. This respect turns to a sincere friendship. Atticus does not only build friendships with the Robinson family but the Finch family begins to be seen as a friend to the whole Negro community. The whole African American community sits on the second floor of the victorian courthouse eagerly listening to the beloved white man defend their fellow Negro citizen. When the Finch siblings arrive they are more than welcomed by the Reverend of the African American community. This action demonstrates the trust and friendship built between the community and the Finch family. Atticus’ decision to represent Tom Robinson yields the fruit of friendship. Above all, Atticus’ actions bring attention to the prejudice issues facing the community. Scout, Atticus beloved daughter, asked her father if he truly is what the community is calling him. Atticus responds in a powerful and compassionate way. He says, “I certainly am. I do my best to love everybody…I’m hard put, sometimes —baby, its never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is, it doesn't hurt you.” (pg. 144) Atticus is a wise man. He doesn't act based on what the majority believes. He is not afraid to stand for the powerless. He makes the statement that the color of a man’s skin does not determine if he deserves justice or not. Although Atticus lost the court case, he planted a seed in the hearts of many in Maycomb, Alabama. Soon those seeds would bloom to flowers and overcome the prejudice issue. Maya Angelou quotes, “Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future and renders the present inaccessible.” Atticus may not have changed the racial inequality issue overall but he did address it in the petite town of Maycomb, Alabama. Atticus should have defended Tom Robinson for these reasons: Atticus learns courage, Atticus builds long lasting friendships with the Negros, and Atticus brings attention to the prejudice issue facing the community.
grueling decision on whether or not to defend Tom Robinson in this divisive case. Atticus should have defended Tom Robinson in this court case for these reasons, Atticus learns courage, Atticus builds long lasting friendships with the Negros, and Atticus brings attention to the prejudice issue facing the community. Many believe attorney Finch should not defend the accused rapist Tom Robinson. Mrs. Dubose , a conservative elderly neighbor of the Finch family, affirms that Atticus is going against his raising by representing Robinson. She asserts that by doing so he is becoming just like the Negros. However, Atticus took advantage of the opportunity that was set before him. He yearns for the people of Maycomb to view everyone as equal. This is Atticus’ chance to overcome the racial inequality and the raising of the next generation. In the 1930’s, the people of Maycomb, Alabama frown upon any association or protection of the Negro community.
The town shows their adament disapproval of Atticus’ defense of Tom Robinson. Jem and Scout Finch suffer under the jeering and name calling of the prejudice town’s children. The Finch siblings were not only made fun of at school but also by their extended family. The ignorance of the town made it difficult for the Finch family. Atticus’ courage and pioneering spirit would not allow the hardships to detour the defense of Robinson. Even though a whole town comes against Atticus and his family, he courageously unveils the truth about Mayella Ewell and fights for justice. Atticus surges on with courage and defends Tom Robinson while taking on the prejudices of Maycomb,
Alabama. Atticus builds never ending friendships with the Negros through defending Tom Robinson. He begins to search for and listen to Tom’s side of the story. Atticus does not tackle the evidence with a preconceived notion. Tom is enamored with Atticus’ respect toward him despite his spotted reputation. This respect turns to a sincere friendship. Atticus does not only build friendships with the Robinson family but the Finch family begins to be seen as a friend to the whole Negro community. The whole African American community sits on the second floor of the victorian courthouse eagerly listening to the beloved white man defend their fellow Negro citizen. When the Finch siblings arrive they are more than welcomed by the Reverend of the African American community. This action demonstrates the trust and friendship built between the community and the Finch family. Atticus’ decision to represent Tom Robinson yields the fruit of friendship. Above all, Atticus’ actions bring attention to the prejudice issues facing the community. Scout, Atticus beloved daughter, asked her father if he truly is what the community is calling him. Atticus responds in a powerful and compassionate way. He says, “I certainly am. I do my best to love everybody…I’m hard put, sometimes —baby, its never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is, it doesn't hurt you.” (pg. 144) Atticus is a wise man. He doesn't act based on what the majority believes. He is not afraid to stand for the powerless. He makes the statement that the color of a man’s skin does not determine if he deserves justice or not. Although Atticus lost the court case, he planted a seed in the hearts of many in Maycomb, Alabama. Soon those seeds would bloom to flowers and overcome the prejudice issue. Maya Angelou quotes, “Prejudice is a burden that confuses the past, threatens the future and renders the present inaccessible.” Atticus may not have changed the racial inequality issue overall but he did address it in the petite town of Maycomb, Alabama. Atticus should have defended Tom Robinson for these reasons: Atticus learns courage, Atticus builds long lasting friendships with the Negros, and Atticus brings attention to the prejudice issue facing the community.