How Does Atticus Use Logos In To Kill A Mockingbird

In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch employs logos and repetition in his closing argument to the jury and people of Maycomb in order to persuade them to see beyond their prejudice and free Tom Robinson.
When Atticus begins his appeal, he reminds the courtroom that there is no medical evidence to prove the crime ever took place. In the start of Atticus’ appeal logos is seen when he states, “The state has not produced one iota of medical evidence to the effect that the crime Tom Robinson is charged with ever took place” (271). Atticus is stating that without this very important evidence there is no way to know if a crime was actually committed. Atticus reminds the jury and audience that without medical evidence to support the case, there is no case and Tom is innocent.
Furthermore, as Atticus is talking about Mayella’s involvement, he explains

that Mayella is the one to instigate this crime, not Tom. Another time logos is used when Atticus’ states, “She must destroy the evidence of her offense” (272). Atticus is saying that Tom is the victim and Mayella is the perpetrator of the crime because she was the one attempted to assault Tom. In fact, Atticus wants the courtroom to see that Mayella is the perpetrator of this crime and Tom is being accused of a crime he did not commit.
Also during Atticus’ appeal he explains how Mayella's injuries were likely caused by someone who is left-handed. Logos is again used in Atticus’s appeal when he says, “We do know in part what Mr. Ewell did…no doubt signing it with his left hand, and Tom Robinson now sits before you having taken the oath with the only good hand he possesses။his right hand” (273). Atticus is showing everyone that Tom could not have inflicted the injuries Mayella received with his left arm being unusable. Atticus is pointing out quite clearly to the courtroom that the injuries Mayella received could not be from Tom as he has no use of his left arm.
Atticus wants to show everyone that Tom is the victim and Mayella is the perpetrator. When Atticus repeats the word /she/ (272), it puts Mayella in the position of power which she uses to take advantage of Tom, not the other way around. Atticus wants the jury and audience to realize that Mayella is the one who instigated the crime, not Tom Robinson.
Furthermore, Atticus explains to everyone that not all black people are evil, just like not all white people are superior.

Atticus wants to show the courtroom that not every black person is evil when he repeats the word /all/ (273). Atticus is trying to show that even though the blacks may be considered evil, that does not mean Tom is the same way. Atticus is showing the courtroom that their assumption about Tom Robinson is wrong, and that he is not guilty of committing this crime.
Since, Atticus treats the jury members as equals to himself, he wants Tom to receive the same treatment. When Atticus says the word /gentleman/ (273), it shows that even though the men on jury are the destitutes of the town Atticus treats them as if they were all equal. That is why Atticus wants the courtroom to see that even though Tom is black, he should be treated as an equal to them.
These rhetorical methods are seen in Harper Lee’s book To Kill a Mockingbird, during Atticus Finch’s appeal to the jury and people of Maycomb with the use of logos and repetition persuades them to see beyond their prejudice and free Tom

Robinson.