What Famous Quote Did Atticus Use In His Closing Speech?

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What famous quote did Atticus use in his closing speech? “I have nothing but pity in my heart for the chief witness for the state, but my pity does not extend so far as to her putting a man’s life at stake, which she has done in an effort to get rid of her own guilt.

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What does Atticus whisper at the end of his closing argument?

Atticus Finch concludes his defense of Tom Robinson by

asking the jury to set aside racial prejudice and consider what likely occurred between Tom and Mayella Ewell

. Mayella has violated a societal norm by kissing a black man and she is lying to hide the truth Atticus says.

What chapter does Atticus say his closing argument?

Atticus stands up for Tom Robinson with his closing argument, urging the jury to do their duty (

Chapter 20, pages 270–275

) Atticus’s closing argument represents his firm belief that the court system should be colorblind.

How does Atticus describe mayella in his closing statement?

During his closing argument, Atticus ties the questions of race and social station together. Making no judgement about Mayella, Atticus tells the jury that “‘

she has merely broken a rigid and time-honored code of our society, a code so severe that whoever breaks it is hounded from our midst as unfit to live with

. . . .

How is Atticus closing statement in defense of Tom Robinson?

How is Atticus’s closing statement in defense of Tom Robinson also an attack upon racism? He says that

because things have not caught up to Dill’s instincts yet, the boy still cries “about the simple hell people give other people—without even thinking.

How does Atticus closing statement hurt Tom?

How does his closing statement hurt his defendant? Atticus’s closing statement helped his defendant because it made the jury think twice about is they were gonna say Tom was guilty, however, Atticus’s closing statement hurt his defendant because

it insulted people like the Ewells

.

Which rhetorical appeal does Atticus rely on most heavily in his closing argument?

A reader could infer that Atticus is using ethos to persuade the jury to really listen and trust him. In conclusion, Atticus’

use of ethos

played a very important role in his closing argument.

Who does Atticus say beat Mayella?

Mayella makes one final claim—that

Tom Robinson

took advantage of her—and refuses to say anything more. This seems like as good a time as any to take a break, so they do. After ten minutes, they begin again. Atticus says he only has one witness to call: Tom Robinson.

What code does Atticus say Mayella violated?

Tom Robinson, he argues, has broken no law, but his accuser Mayella Ewell has violated the code by making advances to a black man: “She has committed no crime, she has merely broken

a rigid and time-honored code of our society

, a code so severe that whoever breaks it is hounded from our midst as unfit to live with. …

What code did Mayella break?

Reprinted with permission from Universal Pictures Company, Inc. strates Tom’s innocence, discredits Bob Ewell’s lurid testimony, and reveals Mayella’s violation of the

community code

in making sexual advances to Tom. Despite the evidence the jury convicts Tom and condemns him to death.

What does Atticus do during his closing statements that shocks Scout and Jem?

Atticus

unbuttons his vest and collar, loosens his tie, and takes off his coat

. According to Scout, “He never loosened a scrap of his clothing until he undressed at bedtime, and to Jem and me, this was the equivalent of him standing before us stark naked.” Answers may vary about why Atticus does this.

What does Atticus say is the one special thing about court?

According to Atticus, a court is

the equalizer of men

. “But there is one way in this country in which all men are created equal—there is one human institution that makes a pauper the equal of a Rockefeller, the stupid man the equal of an Einstein, and the ignorant man the equal of any college president.

Why does Atticus unbutton his vest?


He wanted to lessen the formality of his job as to connect better with the jury

. It was Atticus’s way of stepping down from his position of authority and reducing himself to a common man, like the country folk dressed in their work clothes who served on the jury: He was appealing to their “humanity and morality.”

What is the tone of Atticus speech?

Atticus’s Tone throughout his speech seems to be

very calm, measured, and with many appeals to the audience’s emotions

.

What is the target of Atticus final plea?

What is the target of Atticus’ final plea? He

condemns racism and social code

. He insists they see Tom as an individual and not just as a black man.

What rhetorical devices did Atticus use in his closing argument?

In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird Atticus Finch uses

ethos, pathos, and logos

in his speech to the jury to persuade them of Tom’s innocence. His effective use of these rhetorical devices ultimately demonstrates his values and reflects his person.

How does Atticus use ethos in his closing statement?

Throughout his closing argument, Atticus

ensures credibility, mentioning God, and by presenting evidence that Tom Robinson is not guilty but someone in the courtroom is, to explain Mayella’s reasoning to lie

.

How does Atticus Finch use ethos in his speech?

Atticus uses ethos

to prove Toms innocence by acknowledging the credibility of the courts

: “Our courts have their faults, as does any human instiion, but in this country our courts are the tutgreat levelers, and in our courts all men are created equal” (205).

Why was Atticus sorry for Mayella?

Atticus does not pity Mayella. He said

he has pity for the chief witness

, but that does not extend to her using Tom to get out of her own guilt of liking a black man. She broke a code of society and the guilt of that made her lie.

What is the last question Atticus asks that gets no answer?

“Who beat you up? Tom Robinson or your father?” What is the last question Atticus asks Mayella? Mayella does not answer Atticus, and her face was “

a mixture of terror and fury.”

After a few moments, she angrily explodes, reiterating her charge against Tom Robinson.

How old is Mayella in TKAM?

Mayella Violet Ewell,

19

, is the oldest of the eight Ewell children. Before the trial, Mayella is noted for growing red geraniums outside her otherwise dirty house to bring some beauty into her life.

Why did Atticus cry after the trial?

Atticus’ eyes fill with tears

because they show their kindness even in hard times, and despite the treatment they receive from whites

. Atticus is picked on purpose to defend Tom because he is not racist and he is a good man who will give Tom a fair and honest defense.

What is the lie Atticus talks about?

What is the “lie” Atticus talks about? What is the reality that he is hoping the jury will see?

He wants the jury to see that it comes down to the word of a black man against the word of a white man.

What evidence proves that Tom absolutely did not hurt Mayella Ewell?

what evidence proves that Tom absolutely did not hurt Mayella Ewell? that

mayella had bruises on her right side which means a left handed person beat her and tom has a crippled left hand

. what valuable life lesson does Uncle Jack learn from Atticus and Scout?

What nasty surprise awaits the children at the end of the chapter?

12.7 What nasty surprise awaits the children at the very end of the chapter?

Their Aunt Alexandra came to stay with them

. The fault is more with Aunt Alexandra because she does not come often to visit Scout. Neither of then know how to talk to each other.

Why do the Negroes stand when Atticus leaves?

The black people stand

out of respect for Atticus

. They understand the sacrifices Atticus made to take this case. They understand the passion and commitment Atticus had for a cause that was defeated even before he started.

Why did Jem cry TKAM?

Jem cried because

he was shocked at the injustice of the jury

, people from his own town, whom he had always considered above such injustice.

Why does Jem cry the night of the trial?

Why did Jem cry? He cried because

it wasn’t fair that the Tom should be convicted of something he didn’t do

, and the jruy knew he didn’t do this and yet they still sentenced him to death.

Does Boo Radley come out?

It takes the desperate situation of Mr. Ewell attacking Jem and Scout for Boo Radley to emerge.

He finally comes out

, but even then Scout has trouble seeing him when he saves them and when he is in their house as Jem is being cared for.

Why does Mr Raymond pretend to be drunk?

Raymond tells the children that he pretends to be a drunk

to provide the other white people

with an explanation for his lifestyle, when, in fact, he simply prefers black people to whites.

What is Mayella’s real reason for accusing Tom?

Mayella’s motive for accusing Tom Robinson of rape is because

she lured Tom into her shack to seduce him

. When Mr. Ewell saw his Mayella trying to kiss Tom he preceded to beat his daughter. Atticus assumed that the jury would never believe a white girl would do this.

What does Mr Raymond mean?

Just like the mockingbird he means

no harms to anyone and wishes only to live in peace with his family

. Furthermore, Mr Raymond symbolizes a mockingbird because he doesn’t like to fight.

What is Atticus’s closing argument to the jury?

Atticus Finch concludes his defense of Tom Robinson by asking the jury to

set aside racial prejudice and consider what likely occurred between Tom and Mayella Ewell

. Mayella has violated a societal norm by kissing a black man, and she is lying to hide the truth, Atticus says.

What are Atticus closing remarks in Chapter 20?

How is Atticus’s closing statement in defense of Tom Robinson also an attack upon racism? According to Atticus, it is the courtroom: “…

there is one human institution that makes a pauper the equal of a Rockefeller, the stupid man the equal of an Einstein, and the ignorant man the equal of any college president.

What does Atticus do halfway through his closing statement that shocks Jem and Scout?

Atticus

unbuttons his vest and collar, loosens his tie, and takes off his coat

. According to Scout, “He never loosened a scrap of his clothing until he undressed at bedtime, and to Jem and me, this was the equivalent of him standing before us stark naked.” Answers may vary about why Atticus does this.

Amira Khan
Author
Amira Khan
Amira Khan is a philosopher and scholar of religion with a Ph.D. in philosophy and theology. Amira's expertise includes the history of philosophy and religion, ethics, and the philosophy of science. She is passionate about helping readers navigate complex philosophical and religious concepts in a clear and accessible way.