Atticus Body Language Analysis

What is the most common debate between films and the book it was based off? Which medium delivered the characters more efficiently to it’s audience. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is not an exception. Convincing an all white jury that a black man is innocent is not an easy task. In the book and film Atticus Finch uses the rhetorical appeals and devices to help defend Tom Robinson and give justice to the case at hand. However, Film Atticus is more effective in his use of rhetorical appeals and devices because his body language can be seen, his tone of voice can be heard, and his emphasis can be clearly distinguished.

To begin with, being able to see Film Atticus’ body language enhances his ability to use the rhetorical appeal pathos. “In the name of God, do your duty, In the name of God, believe Tom Robinson.” With this

statement Atticus is begging the jury to serve proper justice and fairness in the legal system by giving the case verdict of ‘not guilty.’ Although, this quote is used in both the novel and the film, during the film Atticus walks up to the jury, stands near the bench, and looks every jury member in the eye. When alluding to a higher power the jury feels their heart strings pulled because they assume in order to please God the verdict must say ‘not guilty.’ By making eye contact, Atticus is making it more difficult to ignore the unavoidable feeling. “I am confident that you gentlemen will review without passion the evidence you have heard, come to a decision, and restore this defendant to his family.” Atticus is telling the jury he believes that they can come to the right decision and give Tom Robinson the chance to return to the family he’s had to give up the past few months. The priority of most on the jury is family, when Atticus referenced Mr. Robinson’s family, using body language, in the clip the jury got the chance to see they are real people missing a father and a husband. Pathos cannot be effectively conveyed by only the words you say. The expressions, eye contact, and references are more important.

Some may argue that Novel Atticus is more effective in his use of rhetorical appeals and devices because it gives the impression he is talking to the reader instead of a jury.

“There is not a person in this courtroom who has never told a lie, who has never done an immoral thing, and there is no man living who has never looked upon a woman without desire.” In the novel, he is telling the unseen jury that everyone does things that are wrong, but they shouldn’t sentence Tom Robinson for life for one small mistake he made. The reader can easily connect with Atticus’ statement. Although the reader gets to connect with Atticus in the novel, they do not have the ability to sustain eye contact with him, read his body language, or see his references. Film Atticus says the exact quote above, but while talking to the jury he is holding an un escapable eye contact with every member. This tactic helps Atticus establish pathos by using his eyes to convey emotions, a luxury the audience does not get when reading the novel. Overall, Film Atticus is more effective because instead of relying only on his words, he can let his body language do the talking as

well.