...The absence of empathy may lead to discrimination, but compassion is the way to fill the void, not empathy. Compassion embodies all the benefits of empathy, but the cons are fairly non-existent. One such case where compassion was needed is the Tom Robinson court case. Tom Robinson had been accused of forcing himself on Mayella Ewell, but he denied the claims saying they were inverted. The jury eventually found Tom guilty, although the evidence was highly in his favor. The outcome reintroduced already existing feelings of discrimination. Had the jury been able to feel compassion, or even sympathy for Tom, he may have been able to come out innocent from the wrongful accusation. If the jury felt empathy, the same result may have happened. Since...
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...theme, having to be faced with the harsh reality of the world which ruins your innocence. Atticus Finch stays strong and practical during the trial, defending Tom Robinson with his life. Atticus’s effort during the trial shows his courage because, despite it being tricky to get the judge and people of the racist South to side with Tom Robinson, compared to Mayella, who claims to be the victim. Atticus does not give up and continues to fight for Tom Robinson’s justice. Atticus shows courage through logical...
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...In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch, a loving father, representation of morality, a prominent citizen, compassionate, courageous and much more is the County lawyer who clearly shows his vehement arguments in court. He is the father of Jean Louis Finch (Scout) and Jeremy Atticus Finch (Jem) and they live in Maycomb County located in southern Alabama, where there is such thing as “Maycomb’s usual disease” or in other words, racism. This disease can truly be seen after Atticus is assigned to defend Tom Robinson, an African American who is accused of raping a white woman, Mayella Ewell. Many do not think that he should defend him because of Tom Robinson’s skin color and race, but there are many reasons why he should....
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...convince the jury of Tom Robinson’s innocence. Atticus uses big picture obvious statements to convince the jury of Tom Robinson’s innocence. He states things that everybody in the room knows to emphasize it. For example, in his speech where Atticus says “This case is not a difficult one, it requires no minute sifting of complicated facts, but it does require you to be sure beyond all reasonable doubt as to the guilt of the defendant. To begin with, this case should never have come to trial. This case is as simple as black and white” (Lee 271.) This quote excellently summarizes the trial and how simple it was. The judge, the...
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...the novel To Kill A Mocking Bird by Harper Lee Tom Robinson (a black man) was accused of raping Mayella (a white girl) in Maycomb County Alabama during the Great Depression. Atticus ( a white lawyer) was chosen to defend this black man in court. Many people supported this decision and many were against it due to the time period where Whites believed that they were better than the Blacks. The benefits of Atticus taking a stand did outweigh the consequences. One reason why it was worth it for Atticus to defend Tom Robinson is to set a good example for his children. It is ideal that Atticus...
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...Mayella Ewell is responsible for Tom Robinson’s death whether on accident, or on purpose in many ways. Mayella is lying in court, if she told the truth then Tom Robinson wouldn’t be dead. In the novel it states, “No, I didn’t recollect if he hit me, I mean yes I do, he hit me,” (Lee, 248). Mayella is lying about Tom hitting her, she clearly forgot to lie in the sentence above. Also, it states, “Or didn’t you scream until you saw your father in the window? You didn’t think to scream until then, did you?”...
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...The Speech Heard Around the World “To begin with, this case should have never have come to trial. This case is as simple as black and white” (Atticus). In the story To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, the very courageous character, Atticus, had to prove that a citizen of Maycomb county was innocent during a tough, but simple, court case. The case he had volunteered to investigate was about a black man, Tom Robinson, who was accused for raping a young woman named Mayella Ewell. Just before the jury was about to decide whether Tom Robinson was guilty or innocent, Atticus said a very remarkable and memorable speech to them. Atticus used the rhetorical devices of ethos, pathos and logos throughout his speech to convince the jury that Mr....
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...During the 1930’s there were an immense amount of unfair treatment to African Americans. In the book To Kill A Mockingbird, a character named Tom Robinson was falsely accused of rape. He testified truthfully. However, because the jury was all caucasian males, they convicted him. This is an example of how our court system fails. To this day our court system fail to deal with certain trials. The Tom Robinson case had so much evidence to prove he should have been acquitted. Mayella said that she called him once to do a task for her. Tom Robinson told the prosecutor that she called him to complete multiple task. Mayella accused him of beating her. The lawyer that was defending Tom Robinson(Atticus) showed the court people and jury that his left...
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...deserves to be treated equally. It is this belief that leads him to being chosen to represent Tom Robinson, the accused black man, in court. Because To Kill a Mockingbird is set in Alabama during the 1930s, the odds that he will be found innocent are exceptionally low, so Atticus must do everything...
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...Tom Robinson’s case has been concluded with the not-so shocking verdict of judge John Taylor and his jury. Yesterday, Tom Robinson’s case has been brought to court: Tom Robinson who had been accused by Bob Ewell of raping his daughter Mayella Ewell, 19, has been found guilty of rape. The first bystander to testify was sheriff Heck Tate. When Heck Tate was called by Judge Taylor to give his testimony, he got questioned about Mayella Ewell her injuries. He testified that after being contacted by Bob Ewell, he went to the crime scene to find a beaten Mayella laying on the ground. According to Heck Tate, Mayella’s right eye was blackened and she had bruises on her neck suggesting that somebody tried to choke her. The second bystander to testify...
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...Tom Robinson Trial. Atticus Finch made remarkable steps toward equality this week by defending an African American in a court of law. He represented Tom Robison as his lawyer as scene in the image to the left of the text. The heated case between Tom Robinson and Mayella Ewell took place at Maycomb’s court house in the blistering heat. Mr. Robinson was put on trial for alleged accounts of rape and physical assault against Ms. Ewell. There were multiple witnesses that testified during the hearing. Sheriff Heck Tate was called up first to the podium. He made it clear that Bob Ewell, Mayella’s father, immediately reported the crime after it allegedly happened. Sheriff Tate arrived to the scene after receiving the call. He found multiple bruises on Mayella’s body. Atticus was quick to his wits and asked the sheriff to describe the location of the bruises in detail and severity. Sheriff Tate responded that her neck had choke marks and she had a black right eye. Both bodily inflictions suggested physical assault. It was odd however that there were no doctors at the scene of the accident to check Mayella’s physical well-being. Sheriff Tate claimed there were no life-threatening injuries so there was no need to medical attention....
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...The Court Case that shocked Maycomb Yesterday the whole of Maycomb gathered in the county courthouse for the biggest case in a while. Tom Robinson, a male nigger who was accused of raping a white girl, which we know as Mayella Ewell. It was one of the most gripping and important trial that Maycomb has seen yet. It looked pretty even and I don’t know what the crowd believed. The trial opened on Heck Tate as the first witness. Under recounting his story, Atticus questioned Tate about why he didn’t call a doctor despite Mayella’s injuries. Heck Tate admits that a doctor should’ve been called. Strangely enough Mayella’s injuries were concentrated on the right side of her face. Bob Ewell, Mayella’s father was up next. When being questioned by Atticus he got agitated and started using...
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...Maycomb court is back in trial with the Ewell’s as the accuser and Tom Robinson as the defendant. Atticus takes the stand as the lawyer to defend Tom, and proves a valid point to anyone that it is as clear as day that Tom is not guilty. Why was he proven guilty then? Personal, I don't see that he should be guilty. I want people to realize the truth, and see why he isn’t guilty. Physical evidence of Mayella’s bruises clearly shows that her left side was bruised. Attius states, ”...there is circumstantial evidence to indicate that Mayella was beaten savagely by someone who led almost exclusively left … Mr.Ewell … no doubt signing it with his left hand, and Tom Robison..having taken oath with the only good hand he possess- his right hand.” This clearly contrast both...
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...In the book To Kill a Mockingbird, justice is demonstrated throughout Atticus’ actions. His strive for equality can be represented by the scales of justice. Atticus believes that everyone should be treated fairly regardless of race, socio-economic or familial background. Having such an honorable and just character, propels Atticus to defend the wronged individual, Tom Robinson. Atticus believes that Tom Robinson is innocent of the crime accused against him and he believes Robinson should not receive the death penalty. Atticus knows Tom might lose this case due to the racial attitudes and prejudices prevalent in the community. When an African-American is accused of a crime, the person is undoubtedly presumed guilty. Atticus still persists in...
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... Atticus and Tom Robinson show empathy. Empathy is when a person himself/herself into someone's shoes or in another term, looking at the other person's perspective. In To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus shows empathy in Bob Ewell. At one point in chapter 23, Scout and Jem received the news that Bob Ewell spitted on Atticus's Face and also threatened him. Later when Atticus comes home, Scout asked Atticus why he didn’t do anything to Bob Ewell even though he spitted in his face, he responded with a quote, "So if spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that's something I'll gladly take. He had to take it out on somebody, and I'd rather it be me than that household of children out there" ( Lee, 218 ). This Shows that...
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