Defending the Mockingbird Essay Example

Defending the Mockingbird Essay Example Defending the Mockingbird Essay Defending the Mockingbird Essay Many people from the town of Maycomb have gathered at the town’s courthouse to witness the trial of the poor, laborsome woman, Mayella Ewell, and the hard-working African-American man who allegedly raped and beat Ms. Ewell, Tom Robinson.Because Tom was accused of the crime, Atticus Finch, his attorney, played a key role in defending him throughout the trial. Tom Robinson was prosecuted and seen guilty in a court of law, but the jury’s perception of his race had a major influence on their decision to convict him of the crime. During the 1930’s, racism was a major belief in the everyday lives of white Americans. Though the U.S. Constitution states that all men are created equal, the opinion that whites and blacks should still be segregated flourished throughout this time period. Even with society expressing hatred upon Atticus and his family, he still felt obligated to defend Tom Robinson to the best of his ability. With the use of rhetorical appeals, rhetorical de vices, and diction throughout the trial, Atticus was able to strengthen his argument and influence the jury to make a long, hard, thought-out verdict. Atticus appeals to logic and credibility with the use of logos and ethos within his argument. He is able to comprehend and think thoroughly about what has happened to Ms. Ewell. Using the appeal of logos, Atticus is able to come to the conclusion that, â€Å"there is circumstantial evidence to indicate that Mayella Ewell was beaten savagely by someone who led almost exclusively with his leftand Tom Robinson now sits before you, having taken the oath with the only good hand he possesses- his right hand† (Lee 272). He explains to the jury that the accusation of Tom Robinson is false, and he proves that there is no reasonable explanation as to how Tom could have committed the crime. He is also able to execute his defense to a much of a greater extent by quoting a phrase from one of the most credible sources of all time. By