Skip to main content

What does Atticus have to lose by defending Tom Robinson in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee?

Atticus has his good standing with the white community to lose. His business may be lost, and his political position in Montgomery taken from him.


When the leading townsmen stand in the Finch yard on the Sunday before the Tom Robinson is moved to the jailhouse, they have come to warn Atticus about the Old Sarum bunch. Atticus tries to allay their fears, but Link Deas says to Atticus,


'--don't see why you touched it...

Atticus has his good standing with the white community to lose. His business may be lost, and his political position in Montgomery taken from him.


When the leading townsmen stand in the Finch yard on the Sunday before the Tom Robinson is moved to the jailhouse, they have come to warn Atticus about the Old Sarum bunch. Atticus tries to allay their fears, but Link Deas says to Atticus,



'--don't see why you touched it in the first place,...You've got everything to lose from this Atticus. I mean everything. (Ch. 15)



Before the trial begins, the Idler's Club sits outside the courthouse and speak of the forthcoming trial. One of them comments, "...thinks he knows what he's doing." Another objects, "...you know the court appointed him to defend this nigger."
The other retorts, "Yeah, but Atticus aims to defend him. That's what I don't like about it."


Atticus's earnest defense of Tom Robinson is tantamount to acting like a "Yankee." For, in the Jim Crow South of the 1930's no white man defended the actions or supposed actions of a Negro. This is why the jury votes as it does. For Atticus to treat Tom as he would a white man is unheard of in Maycomb. Clearly, Atticus takes a huge risk by following his conscience.

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