During his closing statement on page 271, Atticus pauses and suddenly starts to "loosen" his clothes before he speaks again. This will prove to be yet another skill that Atticus uses in his favor, to win over his audience. As Scout and Jem have never seen such behavior from their father, they are utterly shocked, more so than the others in the courtroom. Just as Miss Maudie's lesson is starting to make sense to Scout, it proves to be untrue. "He's the same in the courtroom as he is in the public streets." (266), Scout mimics to Dill, who is upset about the treatment towards Tom Robinson. Next thing she knows, Scout is watching her father become a completely different man in the courtroom.
Although it may seem crazy to Jem and Scout, Atticus may be using this action as a tactic. By showing his comfort with the case as it is, and by making himself seem as a regular towns person instead of a desperate lawyer, Atticus presents himself with a relatable front. Knowing his audience, Atticus gains extreme confidence in the courtroom, however, never becomes conceited. Also, showing no concern as he casually informs the jury of Tom Robinson's innocence, Atticus appears as if he has nothing to hide and nothing to be worried about. Being one of the endless things that make Atticus a suitable lawyer, it also shocks the children beyond belief. "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." (271) Harper Lee may have chosen to include this also as a way of showing the reader how important this scene is, and how much this action differs from Atticus' consistent personality.
After reading chapters 20 and 21, do believe that Atticus is the same in the courtroom as he is on the public streets? Do you think Atticus' actions will start to change now that he has lost the case? What do you think will happen to Tom Robinson?
I think that Atticus was sort of lowering himself to the Maycomb ways for a moment. The reader knows (and therefor Scout has some idea that) Atticus is much more sensible and a lot less racist then everyone in Maycomb (save maybe Dolphus Raymond). Atticus loosens his clothing to a) show that he has nothing to hide, b) show that he is comfortable with the case, and c) to lower himself to the Maycomb standards and try to change their minds. Atticus's speech was very moving, becuase it was clear that he knew everyone in the courtroom couldn't deny that Tom was innocent, but he also knew that everyone, including, unfortunately, would rule him guilty, just becuase he was black. Atticus, knowing it was in vain but still proceeding ("knowing you're licked before you begin"), begged the town to see what they were doing wrong. He had to humanize himself first in order to do the same to Tom. This was the deepest chapter of the book so far, and I'm not even going to go into the ending of it now, but still, it goes to show that Atticus is definitely going to change, for the worse. And so will Scout.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with Jenna in that I think Atticus will not change for the worse after the trial; if anything, the trial will change Atticus for the better. He, in this trial, has seen how low some people are willing to sink for the sake of their prejudice, and has been inspired to be better than them. Atticus admonishes the jury to "in the name of god, do your duty," (275) showing that, even though he knows he will lose, he is still trying to help the town and better himself. It is similar to the incident with the mad dog: Atticus must rise out of his comfort zone to help the town (even though, in the trial, they don't feel the need to be helped) and show a side of himself, which, though unexpected, only furthers his honesty and compassion. It is because of these reasons that Atticus will continue working to save the town from its racism and improve himself.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Leandra's first question, I do think that Atticus is the same person in and out of the courtroom. Although he loosened top his tie, which he never does at home, I think that in the broader sense he is the same person. He is polite to anybody in and out of the court room and this really shows what Scout had said Miss Maudie told her on page 266.
ReplyDeleteIn response to the third question I think that it is possible that Tom Robinson could be hanged or sentenced to jail for life; either way his life has truly ended even though I dont think he was guilty. It wasn't quite made clear what specifically would happen to him, but it isn't going to be nice. The judicial system was so different back then than it was now. Things aren't as structured and formal (although they aren't casual they just aren't as strict). But also we do need to take into view the fact that this story is being told through Scout's eyes and some of the details could be missing.
Do you think that all of Atticus's tactics are good ones? Would Tom Robinson be much better if he was found innocent? Do you like the way that Atticus practices law? What would you have done differently if you were Atticus?
I agree with all that has been said about why Atticus loosened his clothes, but I have another reason of why he did this. I believe that Atticus loosened his clothes to not only lower himself to Maycomb standards, but to also show that he is the same as everyone else. He is trying to show that he does not think himself superior to the other people of Maycomb. He is showing that he is just like them, an average man who is just trying to win this trial for the defendant. One question I have is, what do you think happened in the end of the chapter that made Atticus walk away so quickly, without even a glance at his children?
ReplyDelete@alex,
DeleteI think your point about how Atticus tries to lower himself to not show his superiority is also similar to earlier when Scout and Jem visited Calpurnia's church. Calpurnia tried to not show her superiority by talking like the other black churchgoers.
Also, to respond to your last question, I think Julie brought an interesting point about the Richard Cory poem. But I would like to suggest another reason. I think Atticus might have left the courtroom to avoid an ugly crowd. If Scout and Jem saw everyone in Maycomb mocking and harassing Atticus for losing the case, it might have a very profound effect on them. Scout punched down Francis, just one kid, for making fun of Atticus. Imagine the anger Scout would have if she saw the entire county doing this!
I believe that Atticus "loosened his clothes" as a last minute attempt to appeal to the jury. He loosens his clothes in asking, almost, for the jury to remember that they are all people. There is no doubt that Tom Robinson is innocent, but as soon as Mayella Ewell set forth the claim that he assaulted her, the case was lost. Atticus may have also loosened his clothes so as for himself to feel better. Atticus may seem almost "superhuman" at times, but this small act could very well signify him preparing for the verdict, the inevitable, unjust, guilty.
ReplyDeleteAs an answer to Alex E.'s final question, perhaps Atticus walked away because he did not want to be in the company of these other people. There are times at which, the reader is made to realize that Atticus has a sort of subtle detachment from all others. It appears almost that Atticus left as soon as possible, without a glance, to be away from people, to be by himself, to have a moment, a moment during which he would be able to break down a maybe, just a little. Atticus may very well have felt some sort of depression at the moment, realization how very wrong society can be. It would not have been anything Atticus was not already acutely aware of, but in such tangible form, would have overwhelmed him, just then. Atticus would not be the kind of man who would like to be seen at this kind of moment. Atticus would be the type of man to clear his desk and sign out for the night, who would like to be alone. But as soon as his children came out, Atticus would clear his face, and crawl back into his immoveable iron structure. Atticus does not allow anyone to see his pain, but that does not mean it is not there. It must be kept in mind that To Kill A Mockingbird is told from the view of Scout, who being Atticus's daughter, would have been kept away from his weaknesses. Atticus would not let anyone, and certainly not his children, see him in pain. "I followed the top of his head as he made his way to the door. He did not look up." (241)
As a few final questions, I ask this:
What was Atticus thinking as he looked down? When he left the courtroom, do you think he might have cried? Atticus knew what would happen from the start, but do you think this really shook him? Is Atticus really the impassive superhuman figure proposed by Scout? Do you think Atticus left for a moment to step out of his "mold"? Would this make him like Richard Cory?
I disagree with what Julie says about "the view of scout" on Atticus. Seeing that this story is from Scout's perspective, does not mean that Scout does not see her father "in pain." I say this because, how would you, the reader, know how Atticus is NOT invincible and does feel pain? This is by the telling of Scout, representing that Scout does see her father's pain.
ReplyDeleteAnswering Julie's questions: Harper Lee has added in the effect of Atticus not looking at his children, while looking "down." Atticus looked down because he was thinking about the case that he had just lost. Now, it certainly was not Atticus's fault that Tom Robinson was accused guilty, but any lawyer is not pleased after they have lost a case. This can be related to reality and lawyers today, to the extent that most lawyers want to win their case.
I am not convinced, anymore, that Atticus is "really the impassive superhuman figure" that Scout originally thought he was. Near the end of chapter 21 shows that Atticus has fears and is just like all other's. I agree with Alex Evenchik that when Atticus took off his jacket and watch, it was to represent Atticus being familiar and alike other people in Maycomb. This stresses the point, along with Atticus walking out and looking down, that Atticus is not a superhuman. He is simply a person WITH emotions and a sense of what is right and wrong.
At last thought, what definately should be kept in mind is that the judge had appointed Atticus to help Tom Robinson in the case. He did this because Atticus is the only person that would "try". Do you think that the judge knew that Atticus was going to lose the case? Why would the judge appoint Atticus to this position, other than knowing he was going to "try?" Do you agree or disagree with my saying about Atticus not being superhuman?