Monday, September 23, 2013
Chapters 8/9: Discuss Atticus' explanation of the case to Scout. What does Atticus mean by "Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win?"
When Atticus and Scout are talking about Atticus defending a Negro (Tom Robinson) at a trial, Atticus says that, "Just because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win" (Lee 101) to explain that just because something was basically decided already, doesn't mean that you shouldn't try and win it still. They were talking about this because Tom Robinson is a Negro accused of a crime, so the jury is going to be prejudiced and call him guilty just for the color of his skin. Even so, Atticus wants to try, for that small, small chance that they will win. The town of Maycomb thinks that Atticus should not try very hard to defend Tom, but he is still going to attempt to win, hence the insults thrown by Cecil Jacobs (Lee 102) and Francis(Lee 110 and 112). It shows that Atticus is a one of a few people that have no problem with others based on race. The rest of Maycomb is not so nonchalant about it though. But why do Aunt Alexandra and Francis, think differently? What is it that makes African-Americans so bad, that they shouldn't even be defended correctly? And what did Tom Robinson do?
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I think that Atticus wants to defend Tom Robinson because he thinks that that's his duty as a lawyer and that he would feel bad if he didn't . "If I didn't [defend this case] I couldn't hold up my head in town (Lee, 100)." We don't know why Tom Robinson is being put on trial yet, neither do we know if he is a good person or not; some people are saying Atticus shouldn't defend Tom Robinson. Atticus does it anyways, though and this shows how he wants to live up to his standards and be a good, respectable person.
ReplyDeleteScout is too young to fully understand the concept of racism. When Atticus says that "I wouldn't be able to hold my head high (if I didn't defend Tom Robinson,") he is contradicting himself, as plenty of people don't see him in a positive light. To Atticus, his duty to the judicial system of America comes before succumbing to popular opinion. This decision to defend Tom Robinson portrays the immense responsibility and courage of Atticus' character.
ReplyDeleteI also believe that Atticus says this because its his duty as a lawyer to defend his client in court and out of court. No one can really know his true opinion on the case because it doesn't matter he's just trying to get his client out of jail. "You might hear some uguly talk about it at school but do one thing for me if you will: you just hold your head hight and keep those fists down." (Lee 101) In a way Atticus is giving Scout advice that he lives by. Being a defendant it doesn't matter what Atticus thinks so he has to keep his fists down and do his job. To Atticus Tom Robinson's rights come before someone's opinion and that's the way he has to think due to his job. He fights his battles with his head and not his fists.
ReplyDeleteI believe that one of the reasons Atticus is taking on this case is because it is a challenge. In this case he is fighting for something he personally believes it which makes it more challenging because he really wants to win this case but knows that it doesn't matter how well he prepares because in the end it is all based on a bias opinion. On page 101 Atticus tells Scout "Scout simply by nature of the work, every lawyer gets at least one case in his lifetime that affects him personally." This quote shows that he is brave because he is standing for what he believes in even though he knows he will lose. Which connects to our class discussion "is someone brave if they fight for something they believe in even if they know they can not win?" I believe in this case it is. Atticus is taking a risk and becoming a leader, not only for his children but his community, to show that everyone should be brave and the bigger person. He is showing people to fight for what they believe in.
ReplyDeleteI dont believe its "whats makes the African Americans bad" but rather a social norm of the time. In the 1930s blacks were treated as less of a human. Parents taught their kids this so even if there was a root of the racism to stem it would've been so diluted that it wouldn't have been worth mentioning. It was as normal to be racist as it was to breath. On page 99 Cecil Jacobs says " your daddy's a nigger-lover". later on page 110 Francis Atticus' own nephew is calling him a "nigger-lover" as well. People have a problem with Atticus defending a black man because it changes he norm. That causes problems. It would be as if someone tried to stop them from eating or sleeping. Racism is so ingrained in their daily life that they can't handle the change Atticus would bring. It is not that blacks are so bad, but rather that they are lesser and arguing between a greater and a lesser, the greater should win. In these peoples eyes the white are greater.
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