Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird - Atticus's Final Speech Analysis

Chapter twenty portrays Atticus's plea to the jury to do their sworn duty, toss aside their predetermined views, and take account all the evidence present in order to free Tom Robinson. However, I do not understand why Atticus is trying to persuade the jury with his speech, even though he knows that it is hopeless to save Tom Robinson. In spite of this, I can make inferences and use the subtle clues provided in the text to answer my questions.

Atticus appeals to the jury's sense of dignity, and in putting together the facts of the case, he stresses the simplicity of the evidence and shows that the facts point toward Tom's innocence. Atticus doesn't really believe that the jury will set Tom free, even though he does hope that they will, as shown by the way he says "In the name of God, believe him," under his breath at the end of his speech. All he can hope for is to leave an impression upon the town by exposing the truth for all to see. He hopes that by exposing the jury to his beliefs, he will instil those beliefs upon them so that they can also become individuals supporting racial equality in Maycomb's society. Additionally, through Atticus's speech, he may be trying to persuade Mayella to confess that her father actually committed the crime. Atticus remarks "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 put a man's life at stake, which she has done in an effort to get rid of her own guilt (206)." By saying this, Atticus is telling Mayella that he has sympathy for her and it is alright if she confesses, for she won't be harmed any longer. Furthermore, he is trying to make Mayella feel disgraceful by saying that he wouldn't put a man's life to death, so she shouldn't either. Finally, through this quote, Atticus is telling the jury additional implied evidence about the crime that Mayella has committed. He remarks that Mayella is putting Tom Robinson's life to death so that she can put all the shame that she has brought upon herself away. By having relations with a black man, Mayella has broken the rigid social codes that state that it is wrong for different races to intermingle. However, Mayella persisted on breaking it, knowing the subsequent reactions that she could face, yet her desire was too great. Mayella, as Atticus remarks, is like a child. She tries to cover up and hide her mistakes, not facing up to them like an adult. Atticus is trying to make Mayella feel bad and insignificant, pushing her to retaliate against his condescending remarks and accidentally letting the truth come out. Through all his constant pushing, Atticus is trying to make Mayella confess, but her shame and awareness of society's racial code is too great.

Atticus's treatment of Mayella reveals that though a victim of many cruelties, she has chosen to in turn bring cruelty upon Tom, and she must not be excused for this. As he points out, Mayella wants to protect herself by placing her guilt onto Tom, knowing that her actions will bring about his death because the jury will believe her and not him. Thus, she manipulates the unfairness of her society for her own unfair gain. In my opinion, Atticus's speech is a fitting close to his hard-fought battle to free Tom Robinson. He makes one last push to open the minds of the jury and impress tremendous guilt upon Mayella. Atticus, even though he knows that he will fail, perseveres to reach his ultimate goal. Similarly, Ralph, in The Lord of the Flies, decided to resign as leader of the tribe because everyone was beginning to hate him for of his beliefs to keep the signal fire remaining. However, Simon persuaded him to persevere and continue to be the chief, pushing him to uphold his opinions and morals. Also, in To Kill a Mockingbird, several people of Maycomb began to hate Atticus because of his racial equality views, such as the mob of executioners. Similarly, everybody hated Ralph because of his idea to continue to have a signal fire. Overall, through Atticus's final speech, he is making one last push to persuade Mayella to confess, open the jury's minds, and continue to express his moral views to Maycomb's society.