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. …show more content…
One reference of how Atticus used pathos was when he mention his feelings towards a man in the courtroom. “‘I have nothing but pity in my heart for the chief witness for the state…’” (Atticus). By Atticus saying he had pity for someone was a way of showing emotion and feelings which demonstrates pathos perfectly. Another extraordinary examples of pathos is when Atticus expressed to the jury what he hoped to happen, “‘I am confident that you gentlemen will review without passion the evidence you have heard, come to a decision, and restore this defendant to his family’” (Atticus). Atticus clearly noted his feelings and emotions by mentioning Tom’s family and how they need him. Also, by Atticus saying how he was convinced that the jury will make the right decision showed his hope and emotion for the situation. In addition to the use of pathos, Atticus describes his sorrow ,to the jury, for Tom Robinson and how he he feels the jury will agree with the Ewell’s story because they are white. “‘The witnesses for the state, with the exception of the sheriff of Maycomb County, have presented themselves to you gentlemen, to this court, in the cynical confidence that their testimony would not be doubted, confident that you gentlemen would go along with them on the assumption--the evil assumption…’” (Atticus). Atticus established his feelings about what the jury would decide and how he feels almost upset with the idea of the jury not truly listening to Tom Robison. All together, Atticus certainly demonstrated pathos throughout his closing