what helped atticus do well as a lawyer in maycomb

by Eldora Marks DDS 10 min read

Atticus reveals that he is an excellent lawyer during his brilliant defense of Tom Robinson, who is accused of assaulting and raping a white woman. It is important to mention that Atticus is different than other lawyers in the Deep South and genuinely believes that black people should be treated equally in society as well as in a court of law.

Full Answer

Why is Atticus so respected in Maycomb?

The reason Atticus is so respected in Maycomb is because he's been an upstanding moral citizen in Maycomb, him defending a black man is for the most part the only real conflicting thing he has done in the story, and people can't wrap their heads around why he would defend a black man. I really enjoyed this blog.

What does Atticus reveal about his character as a lawyer?

Atticus reveals that he is an excellent lawyer during his brilliant defense of Tom Robinson, who is accused of assaulting and raping a white woman. It is important to mention that Atticus is different than other lawyers in the Deep South and genuinely believes that black people should be treated...

What does Atticus do to defend Tom Robinson?

In the case of To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus's decision flies in the face of social norms, community outrage, and even threats against his own life. Through his decision to defend Tom Robinson, Atticus perhaps shows us best exactly how "good" a lawyer he really is.

How does Walter Cunningham treat Atticus in the beginning?

Many of the people within the town Atticus their lives. In the beginning of the Novel, he allows Walter Cunningham to pay for Atticus service with food, instead of physical money and even believes that he was overpaid for his tip and hopes to return the favour.

Why was Atticus Finch a good lawyer?

Atticus Finch has been admired for decades as the ideal lawyer. He fought with courage and grace against the racist judicial system of Alabama for the underdog, a black man named Tom Robinson unjustly accused of rape.

Is Atticus the best lawyer in Maycomb?

Winner of the Pulitzer prize,Atticus Finch is the best Lawyer in Maycomb county, yet he puts his reputation at stake by defending a black man even though the whole world is against him.It makes sense for Atticus to defend Tom Robinson because he is Self-less and Caring.

Is Atticus a successful lawyer?

Atticus is passionate about his career choice, and that contributes to his success. He is chosen to defend Tom Robinson not only because he is a good, honest man, but because he is the best defense lawyer in Alabama. More importantly, Atticus loves the people of Maycomb more than his work.

Is Atticus Finch a well respected attorney?

Atticus Finch is very respected around Maycomb because there is no reason to disrespect him. He is trustworthy so you could trust him with just about anything. During the trial Atticus defended a black man when no one else would this is a really big act of courage.

Is Atticus Finch black?

At the heart of the dispute is the moral fiber of Atticus Finch, father of the story's narrator, Scout. Finch is a white lawyer in 1930s Alabama who defends an innocent black man charged with raping a white woman.

What did Atticus Finch do?

A central character of Harper Lee's acclaimed novel “To Kill a Mockingbird,” published in 1960, Atticus is a lawyer and attorney in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama, who earns the ire of some white townspeople — and the admiration of his young daughter — when he defends a black man, Tom Robinson, accused of raping a ...

How does Harper Lee present Atticus as a brave and brilliant lawyer?

Atticus has many roles within the novel. He has the role of a father, a lawyer and as a citizen. Harper Lee shows this by highlighting Atticus' relationships with his children, his relationships with the community of Maycomb society and his professionalism as a lawyer.

How is Atticus a good father?

Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird depicts Atticus Finch as a good father to his children due to his sense of fairness, his teaching, and his honesty. Atticus depicts fairness by treating his children and all others with respect and understanding.

Why is Atticus a good friend?

Atticus is a very caring dad, and cares about his children a lot. He treats them like adults, and is aware about them being children and so he is patient whenever they make mistakes or ask too many questions. He also has his own moral codes, and he made sure to strictly follow them.…

How is Atticus respected in Maycomb?

Because of his penetrating intelligence, calm wisdom, and exemplary behavior, Atticus is respected by everyone, including the very poor. He functions as the moral backbone of Maycomb, a person to whom others turn in times of doubt and trouble.

How did this case change Atticus as a lawyer?

How did this case change Atticus as a lawyer? Haverford's were hanged because they murder a black smith over a horse. It changes Atticus because he doesn't like being a crime lawyer.

What is Atticus's relationship to the rest of Maycomb?

Atticus is a father of jem and scout while they all live in the small town of Maycomb. It makes sense for Atticus a lawyer to take a stand for a local black man accused of rapeing a white woman, Tom Robinson and his trial/case because, Atticus shows a lot of integrity and being the strong willed person that he is.

How did Atticus Finch impact the community of Maycomb?

To sum it up, Atticus had impacted the community of Maycomb. Scout, Jem and Mr. Cunningham changed throughout the novel learning about the black community’s perspective and what they racism they face each day. We see that they face change set in motion by Atticus Finch has made them acquire perspective such as ‘putting themselves in their shoes’. Despite, the good he thought these children they also received hate and discrimination from the citizens of Maycomb. Along with him helping people out in the novel such as Mr. Cunningham. Atticus has an unusual way of teaching young children and requires a lot of thought on his lessons. Atticus teaches this lesson both indirectly and directly leaving many readers in awe of his choice of words. Throughout the book he came up with many quotes which he used as a teaching opportunity for the children of Maycomb.

How did Atticus help Mr. Cunningham?

Atticus helped them out and accepted payments in the form of food and goods from his farm. Despite knowing that they could give him something cheaper for the cost for a lawyer and would not be able to afford one. “As the Cunninghams had no money to pay a lawyer, they simply paid us with what they had”. Atticus knew that the Great depression hit farmers the hardest and knew it was difficult and hard for the farmers to recover from such an event. Atticus continued that professional people were poor because the farmer were poor and knew what it feels like living poor. In addition, Atticus also helped the Cunninghams by taking on their case so that they would still have authority over their own land and prevented them from entering poverty. “If he held his mouth right, Mr.Cunningham could get a WPA job, but his land would go to ruin if he left it”. Atticus helped the Cunninghams avoid poverty by fighting their case and helping them recover from the Great Depression he also helped Mr. Cunningham get a WPA job. Given the benefits that Atticus acquired for the Cunninghams he impacted them significantly and helped them with financially and personally.

Who is Atticus' lawyer?

Atticus reveals that he is an excellent lawyer during his brilliant defense of Tom Robinson, who is accused of assaulting and raping a white woman .

What does Atticus do during Mayella's testimony?

During Mayella's testimony, Atticus forces her to contradict her statements before rapidly asking her hard, direct questions that prove she is lying. Atticus once again demonstrates his genius by noting Tom's past criminal record to reveal that his client has nothing to hide before he emphasizes Tom's handicap.

What is Atticus's closing argument?

In Atticus's most dramatic show of brilliance, he presents a moving, passionate closing argument, where he summarizes the case and challenges the jury to judge the proceedings without prejudice. During his closing arguments, Atticus presents himself as a peer of the jurors, reflects on the evidence that suggests Bob assaulted Mayella, ...

Is Atticus an attorney?

Atticus is ahead of his time as an attorney in many ways. For one, he does a great deal of the "leg work" for making his case by himself; he does not rely solely upon the alleged "investigations" of others. In addition, Atticus illustrates a positive example of the ethic of care.

Did Atticus win the Tom Robinson case?

Tragically, Atticus's brilliant defense of Tom Robinson is not enough to win the case. Atticus is ahead of his time as an attorney in many ways. For one, he does a great deal of the "leg work" for making his case by himself; he does not rely solely upon the alleged "investigations" of others.

Is Atticus ahead of his time?

Atticus is ahead of his time as an attorney in many ways. For one, he does a great deal of the "leg work" for making his case by himself; he does not rely solely upon the alleged "investigations" of others. In addition, Atticus illustrates a positive example of the ethic of care.

What does Atticus do when he removes his coat?

Atticus then puts his hands into his pockets and proceeds to give his closing remarks. Atticus's actions reveal his desire to connect with the jury members.

What does Atticus do in his closing arguments?

In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus does two things in his closing arguments that Scout has never seen before. First, he loosens his collar and tie and removes his vest and coat. Second, Scout notices that for the first time she's ever witnessed it, Atticus is sweating.

Why did Atticus loosen his tie?

In court, Atticus loosens his tie and collar before giving his closing argument. "He unbuttoned his vest, unbuttoned his collar, loosened his tie, and took off his coat." Usually when someone does this, it indicates fatigue or exhaustion. However, Atticus may be doing this instead to give himself a more casual look, which may appeal more to the jury and the audience.

What does Scout see her father do before Atticus begins his closing remarks?

Before Atticus begins his closing remarks, Scout witnesses her father do something that she has never seen him do in a private or public place. Scout is astonished to see her father unbutton his vest and collar, loosen his tie, and take off his coat.

What does Scout say about Atticus?

Scout mentions that Atticus was one of those people who rarely perspires. Atticus's sweat illustrates his effort and represents the pressure he is under by defending Tom Robinson in front of a prejudiced jury. There are two things that Atticus does in the courtroom that the children had never seen him do before.

What does Atticus do at the end of his testimony?

The second thing that Atticus does is sweat. Near the end of his closing testimony, "he took off his glasses and wiped them, and we saw another 'first': we had never seen him sweat-he was one of those men whose faces never perspired, but now it was shining tan.".

What was Atticus's role in Tom's trial?

So, Scout and Jem were impressed; they knew that this was an important moment-and it was. Atticus was about to give his closing testimony in Tom's trial.

What does Atticus do when he is assigned the case for Tom Robinson?

When he is assigned the case for Tom Robinson, he is unbiased in his treatment of both Tom and the despicable Ewells. When an angry mob comes to the jail for Tom, Atticus places his life in danger to do his job as defender, and he does not back down. Later, at the trial, his close powers of observation assist him in this case, also, as Atticus points out that Tom could not have committed an action since it would have required him to use his wasted arm.

Why does Atticus ask Robinson to stand?

After getting Mayella to testify that Tom Robinson beat her and raped her, he picks that moment to ask Robinson to stand so she can identify him, revealing in a dramatic way without saying a word that Robinson has a disabled arm. As Scout record:

What does Atticus ask Jem about Boo's life?

With his respect for the individual, Atticus questions Jem about putting Boo's life on display "for the edification of the neighborhood ," implying that the children must respect others. That Atticus is a clever lawyer is also evident in this episode as he has returned from work for a file "he had forgotten to take...that morning." Jem realizes "he had been done in by the oldest lawyer's trick on record (pretending to forget something so that he can catch the children "in the act").

Why does Atticus scold the children?

This principle Atticus consistently applies to others, such as the Radleys. For, he scolds the children for pestering Boo Radley because the father has made him a recluse:

What is a worthy lawyer?

A worthy lawyer must be observant, objective, unbiased, and evaluate a case solely upon the evidence. In addition, " To Kill a Mockingbird ," Atticus Finch practicing these precepts of his profession in his personal life; he literally "practices what he preaches." For instance, in Chapter 2, an objective Atticus explains to Scout that the Cunninghams and the Ewells are different from one another and, as such, must be examined with their values in mind, not solely by Finch values. Also, he explains to Scout that she should not generalize in judging people such as the Ewells. For example when Scout says that Mr. Ewell should not drink away their relief checks, Atticus replies,

How does Bob Ewell prove Tom Robinson's innocence?

He proves Tom's innocence of harming Mayella by asking Bob to write his own name. Bob Ewell is left handed, and Tom Robinson's left hand was crippled in a cotton gin accident. Mayella's bruises and injuries were inflicted by a person with a strong left hand. Because he proved Tom's innocence, he felt he had a good case for an appeal as the jury convicted Tom in spite of the strong evidence in his favor.

What did Atticus believe?

Atticus first believes in the law and the practice of the law. He believes in civil liberty, the right to privacy, and innocence until proven guilty for all citizens not just the white majority.