Question
Review the passage.
"The witnesses for the state, with the exception of the sheriff of Maycomb County, have presented themselves to you gentlemen, to this court, in the cynical confidence that their testimony would not be doubted, confident that you gentlemen would go along with them on the assumption—the evil assumption—that all Negroes lie, that all Negroes are basically immoral beings, that all Negro men are not to be trusted around our women, an assumption one associates with minds of their caliber.
"Which, gentlemen, we know is in itself a lie as black as Tom Robinson's skin, a lie I do not have to point out to you. You know the truth, and the truth is this: some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around women— black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men. There is not a person in this courtroom who has never told a lie, who has never done an immoral thing [ . . . ]."
Atticus paused and took out his handkerchief. Then 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.
"One more thing, gentlemen, before I quit. Thomas Jefferson once said that all men are created equal, a phrase that the Yankees and the distaff¹ side of the Executive branch in Washington are fond of hurling at us. There is a tendency in this year of grace, 1935, for certain people to use this phrase out of context, to satisfy all conditions. [ . . . ] We know all men are not created equal in the sense some people would have us believe—some people are smarter than others, some people have more opportunity because they're born with it, some men make more money than others, some ladies make better cakes than others—some people are born gifted beyond the normal scope of most 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. That institution, gentlemen, is a court. It can be the Supreme Court of the United States or the humblest J.P. court² in the land, or this honorable court which you serve. Our courts have their faults, as does any human institution, but in this country our courts are the great levelers, and in our courts all men are created equal.
"I'm no idealist to believe firmly in the integrity of our courts and in the jury system—that is no ideal to me, it is a living, working reality. Gentlemen, a court is no better than each man of you sitting before me on this jury. A court is only as sound as its jury, and a jury is only as sound as the men who make it up. I am confident that you gentlemen will review without passion the evidence you have heard, come to a decision, and restore this defendant to his family. In the name of God, do your duty."
1. refers here to Eleanor Roosevelt, the president's wife, who advocated for civil rights
2. Justice of the Peace court, a local court used primarily for less serious offenses
From Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird. Copyright 1960 by Harper Lee
What tactic does Atticus use when he tries to convince the jury that Tom is innocent?
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Atticus Finch employs several persuasive tactics in his address to the jury to convince them of Tom Robinson's innocence.
1. **Appeal to Reason and Logic**: Atticus methodically points out the flaws in the witnesses' testimonies and challenges the assumptions they rely on. He identifies the generalized prejudice against Black individuals, emphasizing that while some individuals may lie or act immorally, such behavior is not exclusive to any one race. By doing so, he encourages the jury to think critically and look beyond racial biases.
2. **Moral and Ethical Appeal**: He invokes the principle that "all men are created equal" to remind the jury of the fundamental values that should guide their judgment. Atticus argues that the court functions as a great leveler, implying that justice should prevail regardless of race or social status. He appeals to the jury's sense of duty and morality, urging them to rise above societal prejudices.
3. **Emotional Appeal**: Atticus creates an emotional connection by reminding the jury of their own humanity. He emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding, asking them to consider the life and family of Tom Robinson. By urging them to "review without passion," he asks them to detach from their biases and carry out their responsibilities as jurors impartially.
4. **Credibility and Character**: Atticus establishes his own character and integrity, positioning himself as a trustworthy advocate for justice. By presenting a calm and dignified demeanor, he reinforces his belief in the court system and the jury's role in it.
Overall, Atticus Finch’s address is a combination of rational argumentation, moral reasoning, emotional appeals, and personal credibility aimed at prompting the jury to look beyond racial stereotypes and affirm the value of justice.
1. **Appeal to Reason and Logic**: Atticus methodically points out the flaws in the witnesses' testimonies and challenges the assumptions they rely on. He identifies the generalized prejudice against Black individuals, emphasizing that while some individuals may lie or act immorally, such behavior is not exclusive to any one race. By doing so, he encourages the jury to think critically and look beyond racial biases.
2. **Moral and Ethical Appeal**: He invokes the principle that "all men are created equal" to remind the jury of the fundamental values that should guide their judgment. Atticus argues that the court functions as a great leveler, implying that justice should prevail regardless of race or social status. He appeals to the jury's sense of duty and morality, urging them to rise above societal prejudices.
3. **Emotional Appeal**: Atticus creates an emotional connection by reminding the jury of their own humanity. He emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding, asking them to consider the life and family of Tom Robinson. By urging them to "review without passion," he asks them to detach from their biases and carry out their responsibilities as jurors impartially.
4. **Credibility and Character**: Atticus establishes his own character and integrity, positioning himself as a trustworthy advocate for justice. By presenting a calm and dignified demeanor, he reinforces his belief in the court system and the jury's role in it.
Overall, Atticus Finch’s address is a combination of rational argumentation, moral reasoning, emotional appeals, and personal credibility aimed at prompting the jury to look beyond racial stereotypes and affirm the value of justice.