How To Defend Niggers In To Kill A Mockingbird

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“Do you defend niggers, Atticus?”(99). In Maycomb, Alabama blacks are treated as second class and are not entitled to competent defense when they are accused of crimes. The black community stays closely congregated and survive all the discrimination. In Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus is called to court in order to defend Tom Robinson, Atticus values equality and justice. Slowly change in attitudes and actions will come to Maycomb, the trial is just the start.
In the novel, Tom Robinson is accused of beating and raping young Mayella Ewell. Atticus a well known lawyer is appointed for Tom’s case. “Then why did Cecil say you defended niggers? He made it sound like you were runnin’ a still.” “I’m simply defending a negro- his names Tom Robinson” (100). When Atticus is called to defend Tom Robinson, he knows he does not have the best chance at winning the trial but he …show more content…
When he is placed in jail, he attempts to escape and is shot seventeen times. Mr. Underwood compares Tom’s death to the killing of a mockingbird. “They shot him,” said Atticus. “ He was running. It was during there exercise period. They said he just broke into a blind raving charge at the fence and started climbing over. Right in front of them-”(315).Tom knew that running was his last chance at getting away because he knew since once he was convicted that was it. Tom knew all his innocence was gone and he is going to have to do his time in jail, so trying to get away was his best bet.Even though Tom has died, his presence still has yet to be forgotten. “He likened Tom's death to the senseless slaughter of songbirds by hunting or children”(323). Mr.Underwood disliked Tom's death because Tom was innocent and had no reason to even be found in jail in the first place. Tom’s death is compared to a mockingbird's because they are killed all the time even though they are innocent and do not even interact with people in a bad way they are only there to make
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