“Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win”(Ch. 9, pg. 101). That quote is said by Atticus Finch speaking to his daughter Scout about the Tom Robinson case he’s defending. Atticus Finch from Maycomb Alabama takes a stand and is defending a black man who gets accused of raping a poor young white girl named Mayella Ewell. “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee takes place in the great depression in the 1930’s. Harper Lee shows a lot of interesting scenes along this tiresome town and the outbreaks it has during the time being. “Maycomb was an old town, but it was a tired old town….”(Ch. 1 pg. 6). Atticus Finch is a widower, who takes care of his own two children …show more content…
That he wants to show people, and his children that everyone is equal, and expects his children to be respectful no matter what. Harper Lee shows that“Atticus, the town lawyer, tries to do what is best for his clients, even if they don’t listen to him”(TKAM pg. 5). This shows that Atticus wants to do the right thing no matter what, and has the best interest of others at heart, always putting others first. Racism in maycomb is called the “Usual diseases”, Atticus says “I hope and pray I can get Jem and Scout through it without bitterness, and most of all, without catching Maycomb’s usual disease. Why otherwise reasonable people go stark raving mad when anything involving a Negro comes up, is something I don’t pretend to understand”(Pg. 117 TKAM). That quote means people shouldn’t be treated different because of their race, he always sees the good in people. Judge Taylor points out “Mr. Finch is always courteous to everybody”(Pg. 243). Meaning that no matter what Atticus is polite to people. And earned respect from all the negroes. Atticus always see’s the good in people and believes that everyone is equal and thinks that if he didn’t defend Tom Robinson some things wouldn't be the …show more content…
The town’s people know that “Yeah, but Atticus aims to defend him. That’s what I don’t like about it”(TKAM Pg. 218). That in court no matter what whites will always win over blacks in Maycomb. Atticus doesn’t want Atticus hopes he can get his kids through the case without their "catching Maycomb's usual disease"—going "stark raving mad when anything involving a Negro comes up" (TKAM Pg.187). That his children would get trapped in drama and go through something they shouldn’t have to. Atticus putting his family in danger and almost getting Scout and Jem killed made it pretty clear that racism in Maycomb is harsh. White people in Maycomb always come out on top and it makes no sense to defend him for nothing when you already know ur gonna lose. However, Atticus is a man that believes everyone is equal and shouldn’t be treated different because of color, that he is a generous and kind man, and believes doing the right thing is right even if you think you’ll