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what does atticus say about equal treatment in his closing argument

by Elenor Anderson Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Atticus Finch

Atticus Finch

Atticus Finch is a fictional character in Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of 1960, To Kill a Mockingbird. A preliminary version of the character also appears in the novel Go Set a Watchman, written in the mid 1950s but not published until 2015. Atticus is a lawyer and resi…

is a lawyer who uses the character of Tom Robinson

Tom Robinson

Thomas Giles Robinson is a British singer-songwriter, bassist, radio presenter and long-time LGBT rights activist, best known for the hits "Glad to Be Gay", "2-4-6-8 Motorway", and "Don't Take No for an Answer", with his Tom Robinson Band. He later peaked at No. 6 in the UK Singles Chart wit…

as his closing argument. The book’s protagonist, Atticus Finch, does this to persuade the jury of Tom Robinson’s innocence. He argues that everyone should be treated equally with dignity and respect regardless of race or beliefs.

Our courts have our faults, as does any human institution, but in this country our courts are the great levelers, and in our courts all men are created equal.” This line comes from Atticus's closing argument to the jury at Tom Robinson's trial.

Full Answer

What does Atticus say at the end of the trial?

Atticus's final speech is aimed at the jury's racist perspective as he challenges them to look past their prejudice and judge the case simply on the facts presented. He not only appeals to the logic of the case but also depicts the Ewells' motivation and plan to rely on the jury's racial bias.

What does Atticus say about the Ewells'argument?

Atticus makes it clear that the Ewells' entire argument targets the jury's racial prejudice in the hope that the "evil assumption" that all Black men are immoral will sway their decision.

What was Atticus closing argument in the Tom Robinson case?

Atticus made several specific points in his closing argument during the trial of Tom Robinson, but the most important was that the jury needed to disregard the fact that Tom was a black man and do their duty. Atticus reminded the jury to make their decision based on the facts and not from any racial bias.

What does Atticus do that is completely out of character?

Then Atticus does something completely out of character: with the judge's permission, he unbuttons his vest and collar and removes his coat. Atticus tells the jury that the evidence in this case is not complicated. 'This case is as simple as black and white,' Atticus says.

What does Atticus say about equality in his closing speech?

“But there is one way in this country in which all men are created equal—there is one human institution that makes a pauper the equal of a Rockefeller, the stupid man the equal of an Einstein, and the ignorant man the equal of any college president 4. That institution, gentlemen, is a court.

What is Atticus message in his closing argument?

Atticus gives his closing statement to the jury. He lists several reasons why the jury should put race aside and find Tom Robinson not guilty, such as the lack of evidence, the irrationality of racism, and appealing to the jurors' desire to be viewed as moral.

What does Atticus say makes us all equal?

Terms in this set (2) Near the end of his closing statement, Atticus references the maxim, "All men are created equal." According to him, what is the one institution in which this maxim is true? He means that the justice system works only when each individual juror takes his duty seriously.

Where does Atticus believe everyone should be treated equally?

Atticus believes every man is equal in the courtroom including the people who do wrong including Mayella and Mayella's…show more content…

How does Atticus use ethos in his closing argument?

Throughout his closing argument, Atticus ensures credibility, mentioning God, and by presenting evidence that Tom Robinson is not guilty but someone in the courtroom is, to explain Mayella's reasoning to lie.

How is Atticus closing statement in defense of Tom?

How is Atticus's closing statement in defense of Tom Robinson also an attack upon racism? He says that because things have not caught up to Dill's instincts yet, the boy still cries "about the simple hell people give other people—without even thinking.

How does Atticus claim that we are not all created equal?

How does Atticus claim that we are NOT all created equal? He says people are not equal in personlity and talent but in the court of law the court is "blind" and treats everybody equally.

What were Atticus closing remarks to the jury?

What were Atticus' closing remarks to the jury? He said to put all of their biases aside and judge the case fairly, so that their ruling might be fair and true.

What is the one way that all men are created equal?

The central claim that “all men are created equal” had profound implications for the American regime of liberty. The “self-evident truth” of human equality meant that humans had equal natural rights, equally gave their consent to create a republican government, had equal dignity, and were equal under the law.

How is equality shown in TKAM?

In this book To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee displays equality when Atticus looks past where people come from or who they are by just looking at them as if they are equal to himself, his kids or to anyone else. Atticus does this when he represents Tom Robinson who was so wrongly judged for a crime he did not commit.

What two things did Atticus prove about the case?

What two things did Atticus prove about the Tom Robinson case? There was no doctor that was called about the rape of mayella and it had to be someone that actually had a left hand.

How do Jem and Atticus view the outcome of the trial differently?

Jem thinks that Tom Robinson will be found innocent. Jem is still a child and does not understand discrimination. He does not understand that the jury will say he is guilty because he is black. Atticus did his best to defend Tom and Atticus knows that Tom did not rape Mayella.

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