How Does Atticus Show Courage
In the book “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch shows courage by standing up for his beliefs and by respecting values that he does not share.
“To Kill a Mockingbird” takes place in 1930’s Alabama, where racism and segregation were accepted as social norms. Lawyer Atticus Finch defended “Negro” Tom Robinson in court, whom Mr. Ewell accused of raping his daughter. People considered defending a black man in court against a white man as a disgrace to the lawyer, his family and community. While Atticus talked to his brother Jack, he mentioned that “The only thing we’ve got is a black man’s word against the Ewells‘. The evidence boils down to you-did—I-didn’t. The jury couldn’t possibly be expected to take Tom Robinson’s word against the Ewells”. (Lee, 116-117) Atticus tells Jack that they don’t have enough data to prove Tom’s innocence in the case. The Ewells were not as respectable people as Tom Robinson, but according to the social hierarchy, dishonorable white people were above …show more content…
However, Atticus decided to defend Tom despite knowing that this could put his family’s safety and reputation at risk. With this in mind, he still had enough courage to defend Tom to the best of his abilities. “I’ll send him home,” a burly man said, and grabbed Jem roughly by the collar. He yanked Jem nearly off his feet.” (Lee, 203) An angry mob approached Atticus as he guarded Tom’s cell and attempted to hurt Jem, Atticus’ son. Scout and Jem secretly followed Atticus to the prison and overheard a conversation Atticus was having with one of the members of the mob. Afterwards, Scout ran to her father and Jem quickly followed her. A member of the mob tried to hurt Jem and put Atticus’ family in danger because of his case. This was one of the many consequences of defending Tom that Atticus was willing to undertake in order to stay true to his
“To Kill a Mockingbird” takes place in 1930’s Alabama, where racism and segregation were accepted as social norms. Lawyer Atticus Finch defended “Negro” Tom Robinson in court, whom Mr. Ewell accused of raping his daughter. People considered defending a black man in court against a white man as a disgrace to the lawyer, his family and community. While Atticus talked to his brother Jack, he mentioned that “The only thing we’ve got is a black man’s word against the Ewells‘. The evidence boils down to you-did—I-didn’t. The jury couldn’t possibly be expected to take Tom Robinson’s word against the Ewells”. (Lee, 116-117) Atticus tells Jack that they don’t have enough data to prove Tom’s innocence in the case. The Ewells were not as respectable people as Tom Robinson, but according to the social hierarchy, dishonorable white people were above …show more content…
However, Atticus decided to defend Tom despite knowing that this could put his family’s safety and reputation at risk. With this in mind, he still had enough courage to defend Tom to the best of his abilities. “I’ll send him home,” a burly man said, and grabbed Jem roughly by the collar. He yanked Jem nearly off his feet.” (Lee, 203) An angry mob approached Atticus as he guarded Tom’s cell and attempted to hurt Jem, Atticus’ son. Scout and Jem secretly followed Atticus to the prison and overheard a conversation Atticus was having with one of the members of the mob. Afterwards, Scout ran to her father and Jem quickly followed her. A member of the mob tried to hurt Jem and put Atticus’ family in danger because of his case. This was one of the many consequences of defending Tom that Atticus was willing to undertake in order to stay true to his