Skip to main content

Atticus says if he didn't take Tom's case he couldn't make Jem or Scout mind him. Why not?

In chapter 9, Cecil Jacobs tells Scout at school that her father "defends ni***rs". When Scout asks her father about what Cecil meant by that, he says that some people around town don't believe that he should defend Tom Robinson. Scout wonders why he is doing it if people say he shouldn't. Atticus responds with the following:


"For a number of reasons. . . The main one is, if I didn't I couldn't hold up...

In chapter 9, Cecil Jacobs tells Scout at school that her father "defends ni***rs". When Scout asks her father about what Cecil meant by that, he says that some people around town don't believe that he should defend Tom Robinson. Scout wonders why he is doing it if people say he shouldn't. Atticus responds with the following:



"For a number of reasons. . . The main one is, if I didn't I couldn't hold up my head in town, I couldn't represent this county in the legislature, I couldn't even tell you or Jem not to do something. . . because I could never ask you to mind me again" (75-76).



Basically, Atticus is saying that he would be a hypocrite if he didn't take Tom Robinson's case. Atticus would be going against his conscience if he didn't stand up for what he knows is right. He knows that a black man deserves a fair trial just like a white man does. Some people in Maycomb don't believe this because they are prejudiced and racist. Atticus knows how people in Maycomb will go to church and preach "love one another," but then treat black people terribly. Atticus won't be like those people because he knows better and he believes better. Thus, if Atticus didn't take the case, then he would be a hypocrite. According to that line of thinking, Atticus also believes that his children wouldn't have to obey a hypocrite; therefore, they wouldn't have to mind him if he turned into one. He would lose credibility as a father if he were a hypocrite, too. It's tough for children to hear dad teach them to stand up for what is right at home, but then he doesn't go and do the same thing himself.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

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

Discuss movements that were inspired by the Civil Rights Movement and list one success for each group.

African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change... African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change for their agendas. Two examples of moveme...
Post a Comment
Read more