As people start to look into the real truths of life, meaning how everything works, such as responsibilities, taking care of yourself, and lastly one’s interaction between and with people everyday of our lives. One starts to realize that the main thing people do is judge others by their race instead of actually getting to see who that person really is by focusing on the inside appearance with their personality instead of the outside appearance. In this passage of To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, the literary elements of characterization, setting, and diction develop the theme that coming-of-age involves recognizing the different perspectives that are shown at the end of Atticus’ speech for the Tom Robinson trial. In this passage it had …show more content…
been taken place in a courtroom where all of Maycomb except Boo Radley, had attended to watch the trial, which had been filled with terror and intense moods as Atticus pleaded his case to not only the judge and the jury, but to everyone in the courtroom to both show that Tom Robinson is innocent and to prove to the Maycomb citizens to not have biased views on people of different race, such as the colored. More based on a man and how he had been sentenced to jail even though he didn’t do nothing wrong, for this reason is because a white woman, Mayella Ewell, had brought this case to Judge Taylor. When everyone comes the colored are watching this trial at the top and the white are viewing it at the bottom, this showing how crucial it was to be separate and which race was more privileged. The piece of evidence that is showing that this trial is being held in a courtroom is when Atticus stated that, “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,”(pg.273).
Atticus is basically saying that everyone who is in the courtroom has done nothing wrong whatsoever and is as perfect as can be as a human being throughout their years of living; if one doesn’t agree with that statement then they have already told a lie. This quote uses diction with immoral and desire making it more …show more content…
interesting. Another quote showing what kind of environment they are in is, “A court is only as sound as its jury, and a jury is only as sound as the men who make it up.” (pg.274). Without a court there is no jury and without a jury there is no men, this is stating that even though we start and make things we can also end and destroy things too, in this quote it uses tone because when Atticus is explaining how we make things up he uses passion towards it. Many situations had occurred throughout Maycomb, but the most nerve racking was the trial itself. Atticus had focused on the statement that all others see in colored men is danger, so they assume to treat them unfairly with no respect and appreciation, overall ignoring them like they're invisible. Some people who don’t ignore them just think of using them as a servant to do their responsibilities while they go and enjoy themselves, leaving this colored servant in the dust. The main idea that is being portrayed is basically to treat others how you would want to be treated. This leads into the quote saying what types of assumptions others make of the colored race, “..., confident that you men would go along with them in the assumption-the evil assumption- that all Negroes are basically immoral beings that all Negro men are not to be trusted around our women, an assumption one associates with minds of their caliber,” (pg.273). The overall statement is people assume things about the colored too quickly, especially colored men who all of sudden seem to be getting into trouble, but the ones who are assuming these rumors don’t realize that they make wrong choices that shouldn’t be done. Syntax is being represented in this quote by showing how people treat the colored race in a well-written sentence. The main issues are usually between men and women this quote portrays this problem it is when Atticus said, “And so a quiet, respectable, humble Negro who had the unmitigated temerity to ‘feel sorry’ for a white woman has had to put his word his against two white people’s,” (pg.273). This means that people have the feeling of having to comfort for the women that was “hurt” by a colored man and without any explanation of what actually happen or even if it actually happened. For the Tom Robinson trial (case), no one would have stepped up for this man just because of his race/color, but the one person who would and does is Atticus Finch himself. He is the one who works as hard as he can without any complaining. Something that had shown what he supports and what he thinks is unbelievable and useless to think about is when Atticus explains, “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 her putting a man’s life at stake, which she has does in an effort to get rich of her own guilt,” (pg. 271). In this quote, Atticus had realized that he had sorrow for the chief witness of the state of alabama, but his sorrow does not go far to those who firstly put someone’s life at risk and secondly to act like she had got hurt by a colored and then use her guilt to just get money. Atticus realizes many other things that is presented in front of him and then talking about how it is reasonable or unreasonable, for this reason is because he had stated, “I'm no idealist to believe firmly in the integrity of our courts and in the jury system-that is no ideal to me, it is a living, working reality,” (pg.274).
Atticus is stating that the jury system is no example to him because it’s truly realistic instead of idealistic, that it is a serious place to be that can not be dealing with foolish choices as well as childish attitudes. This means that once you step in a courtroom with a jury system there is no time to mess around because it is business and a courtroom is not a
playground. Throughout this passage, Atticus defending for Tom Robinson is a coming-of-age experience for Atticus because he had learned that the world he lives in is filled with harsh people. Throughout this whole trial the them that had been presented is by being equal with one another and not to judge others by their race, this is how it should be everyday. Also that everyone who is living has done something wrong at least once in their lives, not just the colored race, but everyone. The types of wrong-doings people has done is including: lying, cheating, and/or stealing. Tom Robinson had been established guilty even though he was innocent, for one reason only, his race and gender type. The lesson that had been taught in this trial is to respect one another no matter the type of physical appearance presented.
Atticus views that it is his duty to do his best in the Tom Robinson trial and feels no
As Atticus is wrapping up his speech, he addresses the courtroom about court. “‘A court is only as sound as its jury, and a jury is only as sound as the men that make it up’” (Lee 274), is an appeal to logos because a court is only fair if the people of the jury are fair. Singling out the jury puts more pressure on them to make the transparent decision that Tom Robinson is not
In the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee, the author, wrote about the journey of a little girl, named Scout, as she grows up. Scout’s father Atticus serves as a grand part of her aging because he teaches her many life lessons. The most significant of all the lessons and a pivotal moment in the novel occurs when Atticus tells Scout that “you never really a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them,”, which contributes to one of Scout’s intellectual changes and the theme, understanding requires time (Lee 372).
Figurative language is in most well written novels. It helps develop the overall theme the author is trying to portray. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, I noticed Harper Lee distinctively used two types of figurative language. The first is symbolism, Lee used this twice during the novel with the mockingbird representing beauty innocence and Boo Radley representing the good in people. The second is motifs, Lee used this to emphasize the small town life in Maycomb, Alabama and helps give a better understanding of the people in the town.
In the closing argument. In the statement, Atticus uses good word choice and grammar to make him sound intelligent and to get people to respect him. In the book, Smith-Yackel writes, “But there is one way in this country in which all men are created equal, “ (Lee 233) this quote shows correct grammar used by Atticus. In this quote, Atticus’s uses correct grammar contrary to some of the people at the time, so this makes people respect him. Also in the closing statement Atticus says, “ an assumption one associates with minds of their caliber,” (Lee 232). Atticus uses excellent vocabulary here to sound intelligent will dissing on the assumption that some of the more racial divide people make. Using the word “caliber” shows that they are not as smart as certain people. To conclude, in Atticus’s closing statement in To Kill A Mockingbird, he uses ethos to sound more intelligent, and to get people to better respect
Atticus shows great compassion and tolerance when he stands up for the Negroes. He stands up and represents Tom Robinson because he believes that everyone should be treated equally in the court of law. He knows that because Tom was a Negro there would be a slim chance of winning. That fact never discouraged him though because he says that the main reason he is representing Tom is because, ' if I didn't I couldn't hold up my head in town, I couldn't represent this county in the legislature'; (75). He recited a speech, which clearly states that Tom Robinson is not guilty. In that speech he says, 'our courts have their faults, as does any human institution, but in this courts are the great levelers, and in our courts all men are created equal'; (205). He believed that prejudice and stereotyping is wrong and he tries to teach these morals to Scout and Jem.
The text construes, “‘He in there Mr. Finch?’ a man said. ‘He is’, we heard Atticus answer, ‘and he’s asleep. Don’t wake him up’... ‘You know what we want’, another man said… ‘You can turn around and go home again’, Atticus said pleasantly”(121-122). Atticus displays unparalleled intrepidness in this scene of the book. Additionally, the text corroborates, “‘Atticus Finch won’t win, he can’t win, but he’s the only man in these parts who can keep a jury out so long in a case like that’”(246). Atticus Finch is not only wise beyond his years but is also exceptionally good at his job, so good for the fact that he was purposely assigned this case. It wasn’t by coincidence that he was assigned this case, but it was because he is the only one with the ability to even have a shot at winning. Finally, the text substantiates, “‘Did it ever strike you that Judge Taylor naming Atticus to defend that boy was no accident? That Judge Taylor naming that boy was no accident? That Judge Taylor had his reasons for naming him?’”(246). This attests that Atticus can’t bluntly reject his case, he was given this case by Judge Taylor for certain reasons, one of which is that he has the best chance of winning this impossible and immoral cause. To summarize, Atticus should take the case because no one else will be able to hold the judge at bay for that
Atticus is fighting for equal rights. In chapter 20, Atticus says ,”There is not a person in this courtroom who has never told a lie,.. never done an immoral
This quote shows how fair Atticus is, he’s trying to understand other people in different situations. His advice is very true and is valid throughout the entire book, it could even be considered a theme on it’s own. Atticus’ quality of respect is very high and continues on into the trial further into the book which helps him during the case and helps Lee build to the theme: “‘Gentleman,’ he was saying ‘I shall be brief, but I would like to use my remaining time with you to remind you that this case is not a difficult one, it requires no minute sifting of complicated facts, but it does require you to be sure beyond all reasonable doubt as to the guilt of the defendant. To begin with, this case should never have come to trial. This case is as simple as black and white,” Lee 271 Atticus voices in his final words at the trial.
Throughout the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus Finch was put to the test to defend juvenile Tom Robinson, an African American falsely accused of raping a white woman. Atticus fought long and hard and had he and Tom Robinson been guaranteed the right to a fair trial, they would have won. Atticus’s closing argument rendered countless pieces of evidence and did in fact catch the attention of the jury; but even in the beginning, the decision was clear. Although Atticus lost the trial, his argument was effective due to his excessive use of Aristotelian techniques.
Each and every person will go through a coming of age experience sometime in their life. Those experiences can come in different forms. But, each coming of age experience ends up shaping us to become a mature adult. In the book, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee tells a coming of age story through Scout Finch, an aging girl’s point of view. Her brother, Jem Finch who experiences coming of age before Scout, realizes that being an adult was not what he hoped. Jem recognizes a different perspective of bravery from Mrs.Dubose, a vile, elderly woman’s perspective. In chapter 11, Harper Lee uses literary elements such as character, conflict, and setting to establish Jem’s new outlook on life.
Atticus is a good man, a just man. He upholds his morals, and judges by his conscience. He is shaken but not moved by the town of Maycomb in their gossip and hypocritical ways. When offered Tom's case, Atticus knows he will take it on. He won't just stand there with no proper defense for Tom, but he will let the truth be known, and prove that Tom is innocent. "...that boy might go to the chair, but he's not going till the truth's told."
Whatever Atticus has to say in the trial means nothing. Even before the trial started, people were giving him and his family a hard time. Like when Francis said, “I guess it ain’t your fault if Uncle Atticus is a nigger-lover”(83). In fact, Atticus
Scout Finch, the youngest child of Atticus Finch, narrates the story. It is summer and her cousin Dill and brother Jem are her companions and playmates. They play all summer long until Dill has to go back home to Maridian and Scout and her brother start school. The Atticus’ maid, a black woman by the name of Calpurnia, is like a mother to the children. While playing, Scout and Jem discover small trinkets in a knothole in an old oak tree on the Radley property. Summer rolls around again and Dill comes back to visit. A sence of discrimination develops towards the Radley’s because of their race. Scout forms a friendship with her neighbor Miss Maudie, whose house is later burnt down. She tells Scout to respect Boo Radley and treat him like a person. Treasures keep appearing in the knothole until it is filled with cement to prevent decay. As winter comes it snows for the first time in a century. Boo gives scout a blanket and she finally understands her father’s and Miss Maudie’s point of view and treats him respectfully. Scout and Jem receive air guns for Christmas, and promise Atticus never to shoot a mockingbird, for they are peaceful and don’t deserve to die in that manner. Atticus then takes a case defending a black man accused of rape. He knows that such a case will bring trouble for his family but he takes it anyways. This is the sense of courage he tries to instill in his son Jem.
Harper Lee, used language features to explore the loss of innocence in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’. The novel is narrated from a 6 year old’s perspective, Scout. As the story progressed, Scout matured and the language used and the thoughts portrayed throughout the book are more developed and advanced. The key theme displayed in this novel is loss of innocence and is explored through the following language features – Narrative Voice and Structure, Characterisation and Symbolism and Analogy. Lee’s personal style allowed the utilisation of these language features and through the exploration of loss of innocence.