Atticus Finch Trial

Atticus Finch is the lawyer defending Tom Robinson from his rape accusations. In the courtroom towards dinnertime, at the end of the trial, Atticus delivers a powerful summation speech as a final effort to try to convince the jury that Tom is innocent and for them to determine that on their own with what is morally right and not just outright accuse him of being guilty with their own prejudices against African-Americans. Atticus transitions from concrete to abstract evidence to support his purpose of revealing the prejudice in Maycomb. In the beginning of his speech, Atticus uses more factual evidence and logic to support his purpose. In Maycomb racism is rampant which makes it incredibly difficult for Atticus to prove a black man innocent.

He begins this by claiming that everything started because Mayella tempted Tom Robinson and subsequently broke “a rigid and time-honored code of our society, a code so severe that whoever breaks it is hounded from our midst as unfit to live with” (Lee 6). This allegation is accurate yet it cannot be proven, so it is less factual and more of a correct assumption. Mayella was ashamed of herself because she assaulted Tom. Later, Atticus alludes to Bob Ewell beating Mayella. There is evidence to support this but there is no direct proof that this happened, it is only heavily implied. Additionally, Atticus states that the only place all men are equal is the court and that court should treat all people equal, regardless of race. Essentially, Atticus is explaining to the jury that if they decide Tom is guilty solely based on prejudice, then they neglect their duties as jurors. Finally Atticus calls upon God saying “In the name of God, do your duty.” Atticus invokes God upon the jureres and by doing this he pressures the members of the jury to do the morally right thing because God would be watching them. If the jurors take away Tom’s ability to be equal in the court and judge him guilty just because he is black, then they would have committed a