Skip to main content

In what chapter of Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird does Mr. Link Deas get sent out of the courthouse for speaking out of turn?

Link Deas stands up to defend Tom Robinson in Chapter 19 of To Kill a Mockingbird. This is significant because earlier in the book he warned Atticus that Atticus had "everything to lose" by actually mounting a real defense for Tom instead of making the town happy and simply going through the motions.


Mr. Link Deas rose from the audience and announced: "I just want the whole lot of you to know one thing right...

Link Deas stands up to defend Tom Robinson in Chapter 19 of To Kill a Mockingbird. This is significant because earlier in the book he warned Atticus that Atticus had "everything to lose" by actually mounting a real defense for Tom instead of making the town happy and simply going through the motions.



Mr. Link Deas rose from the audience and announced: "I just want the whole lot of you to know one thing right now. That boy's worked for me eight years an' I ain't had a speck o'trouble outa him. Not a speck."


"Shut your mouth, sir!" Judge Taylor was wide awake and roaring. "...Link Deas," he yelled, "if you have anything you want to say you can say it under oath and at the proper time, but until then you get out of this room, you hear me?... I'll be damned if I'll listen to this case again!" [Chapter 19, pages 89-90]



Although it was courageous of Mr. Deas to stand up and speak out, he could have caused a bigger problem. An outburst like that could have caused a mistrial, in which case the entire proceeding would have needed to start from the beginning.


So why does he take this chance? Because he senses that a serious injustice is about to occur, namely that the jury will find Tom guilty just because they will not take the word of an African American man over a white girl. He hopes his impulsive recommendation will help sway the jury in Tom's favor.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What are some external and internal conflicts that Montag has in Fahrenheit 451?

 Montag, the protagonist of Fahrenheit 451, faces both external and internal conflicts throughout the novel. Some examples of these conflicts are: External Conflicts: Conflict with the society: Montag lives in a society that prohibits books and critical thinking. He faces opposition from the government and the people who enforce this law. Montag struggles to come to terms with the fact that his society is based on censorship and control. Conflict with his wife: Montag's wife, Mildred, is completely absorbed in the shallow and meaningless entertainment provided by the government. Montag's growing dissatisfaction with his marriage adds to his external conflict. Conflict with the fire captain: Montag's superior, Captain Beatty, is the personification of the oppressive regime that Montag is fighting against. Montag's struggle against Beatty represents his external conflict with the government. Internal Conflicts: Conflict with his own beliefs: Montag, at the beginning of th...
Post a Comment
Read more

In A People's History of the United States, why does Howard Zinn feel that Wilson made a flimsy argument for entering World War I?

"War is the health of the state," the radical writer Randolph Bourne said, in the midst of the First World War. Indeed, as the nations of Europe went to war in 1914, the governments flourished, patriotism bloomed, class struggle was stilled, and young men died in frightful numbers on the battlefields-often for a hundred yards of land, a line of trenches. -- Chapter 14, Page 350, A People's History of the United States Howard Zinn outlines his arguments for why World War I was fought in the opening paragraph of Chapter 14 (referenced above). The nationalism that was created by the Great War benefited the elite political and financial leadership of the various countries involved. Socialism, which was gaining momentum in Europe, as was class struggle, took a backseat to mobilizing for war. Zinn believes that World War I was fought for the gain of the industrial capitalists of Europe in a competition for capital and resources. He states that humanity itself was punished by t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Where did Atticus take the light and extension cord in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with... Atticus brings the light to the courthouse jail so that he can protect Tom Robinson.  Atticus learns that Tom Robinson, his client, is in danger.  A group of white men want to prevent the trial and lynch Robinson. He is warned by a small group of men that appear at his house.  He refuses to back down.  Atticus knows that the Cunninghams will target his client, so he plans to sit up all night with Jim if that’s what it takes to protect him.  Atticus tells the men that he will make sure his client gets his fair shake at the law.  “Link, that boy might go to the chair, but he’s not going till ...
Post a Comment
Read more