why does atticus agree to be tom robinson defense attorney

by Ressie Johnson DDS 7 min read

Atticus accepts the job of defending 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…

because he was specifically appointed by Judge Taylor and desires to set an example for his children. Atticus wants to show Jem

Jem and the Holograms

As a small-town girl catapults from underground video sensation to global superstar, she and her three sisters begin a journey of discovering that some talents are too special to keep hidden.

and Scout the importance of courage, integrity, and following one's conscience.

Why does Atticus agree to be Tom Robinson's defense attorney? Does he expect to win the case? Atticus doesn't think Tom can win the case. He agrees to defend him in the belief that he must practice law with integrity and without discrimination.

Full Answer

Why does Atticus defend Tom Robinson?

Aug 25, 2014 · Answered by Aslan 7 years ago 9/2/2014 4:57 PM. No Atticus doesn't expect to win but defending Tom Robinson was simply the right thing to do. Atticus is a man of human principles and believes the sanctity of the courts are the …

What is Atticus Finch’s role as defense attorney?

Atticus accepts the job of defending Tom Robinson because he was specifically appointed by Judge Taylor and desires to set an example for his children.

Does Atticus expect to win the case?

Atticus Finch, father of Jem and Scout Finch, is appointed by Judge Taylor to defend Tom Robinson, who is unfairly accused of raping Mayella Ewell. Tom is deemed by the community as a dead man, but Atticus taking on the case immediately sparks an intense controversy in the small, usually peaceful town.

What is Atticus trying to prove to Maycomb?

Feb 25, 2011 · As Atticus has explained to Scout many times about this, He is doing this becasue he values equailty and justice. He believes that everyone is equal and therefore just because Tom Robinson is black, doesn't mean that he should not defend him. He says to Scout many times, if he did not defend this man, he could never tell Jem or her (Scout) not to do something.

Why does Atticus agree to defend Tom Robinson to the best of his ability?

Atticus knows he must defend Tom Robinson. He feels he could never be proud of himself again or expect Jem and Scout to trust him again if he did not. He also knows that many lawyers in the county, if asked to take Tom's case, would not properly defend him as they would automatically assume he was guilty.

Why does Atticus defend Tom Robinson chapter9?

Atticus has been asked to defend Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman. It is a case he cannot hope to win, but Atticus tells Scout that he must argue it to uphold his sense of justice and self-respect. ... Scout thinks Francis is the most “boring” child she has ever met.

What does Atticus say about defending Tom Robinson?

“Simply because we were licked a hundred before we started is no reason for us not to try to win.” (101) says Atticus Finch, the main character in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Atticus defends Tom Robinson, a black man, accused of attacking a white woman.

Should Atticus have defended Tom?

Even though Atticus knows he does not have a chance at winning Tom's case, because of his character, it makes sense for Atticus to defend him anyway. Defending Tom Robinson makes sense for Atticus because of his worldview. Atticus believes that all people are worth respecting and he lives by the Golden Rule.

What is the theme of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird?

Although much of the novel’s events inspire feelings of warmth and humor in a wide and diverse audience, more solemn issues are also encountered, such as racial inequality and rape. The story centers on Scout, the narrator and protagonist, and Scout’s father, Atticus Finch, who is an attorney hired to defend Tom Robinson. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch attempts to acquit Tom Robinson; however, Atticus fails to win Robinson’s freedom for several reasons, but primarily due to racial inequality.

Who is the father of Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird?

The story centers on Scout, the narrator and protagonist, and Scout’s father, Atticus Finch, who is an attorney hired to defend Tom Robinson. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch attempts to acquit Tom Robinson; however, Atticus fails to win Robinson’s freedom for several reasons, but primarily due to racial inequality.

Did Atticus save Tom Robinson?

However, as stated in the book, “Atticus had used every tool available to free men to save Tom Robinson, but in the secret courts of men’s hearts Atticus had no case. Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed,” (Lee 244).

What is the one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule?

The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience, ” (Lee 114). Despite having premonitions of the final outcome of the case, Atticus proceeds in the defense of Tom, knowing that it is the right thing to do.

Who was the black man who raped a white woman?

In the small town of Maycomb, Alabama, a predominately white community accuses a young black man, Tom Robinson, of raping a young white woman. Being black in an overwhelmingly white community sets the stage for an unjust yet common theme of racism during the Great Depression. Atticus Finch, father of Jem and Scout Finch, ...

Who is Atticus Finch?

Atticus Finch, father of Jem and Scout Finch, is appointed by Judge Taylor to defend Tom Robinson, who is unfairly accused of raping Mayella Ewell. Tom is deemed by the community as a dead man, but Atticus taking on the case immediately sparks an intense controversy in the small, usually peaceful town. Atticus’ decision to proceed as Tom’s attorney ...