Tuesday, November 25, 2014

What are the main characteristics of Atticus' speech to the jury?

I think one of the most profound things about this speech
is that Atticus does not necessarily do nor present anything in a way that is
particularly "showy" or outstanding.  His tone is firm and straightforward.  Sadly, the
case is cut and dry, yet he knows the jury will not be unbiased in their decision.  He
outlines exactly what must have really happened to Mayella, and essentially, why Tom has
been incriminated but could not possibly be guilty.  He restates the evidence in a very
list-like and simplistic way.


At the very end however,
Atticus dares address the so-called "elephant in the room" when he addresses the common
white assumptions about "all negroes."  He basically defines the
blatant prejudice that clearly exists in this town and this case.  He then sums
everything up with a reminder that "all men are created equal" and that a United States
courtroom should be the one place that this is
true.


The entire speech is just perfectly delivered by the
one man in town who has practiced as much integrity as he's asking
for.

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