Atticus is shown in the courtroom as a the same character, but more forceful. During the testimony of Mr. Ewell, he is respectful while also pressing his points. When asking about what happened after the rape, he says, "Did you, during all this running, run for a doctor?...But there's one thing I don't understand...Weren't you concerned with Mayella's condition?...Did you not think the nature of her injuries warranted immediate medical attention?"(234).
The main reason why Atticus seems to be more of a forceful character in the courtroom, is because why he is there. He is a lawyer, and he asks the questions. If he is not forceful, he will not be able to prove his points to the jury. Atticus shows many times that he will attempt to show the jury everything no matter how hard he has to work for it. At home he is the same way, but less forceful. He teaches Scout the "trick" of empathy, an drives it home successfully shown later in the book. Atticus succeeds in teaching her, but he does it in a kind manner. In the courtroom, Atticus has the forcefulness, but he also retains his respect.
Atticus knows that Mr. Ewell will be intentionally rude, but he doesn't fight back. He barrels through it with more force. Atticus, by driving in the point, almost forces Mr. Ewell to be respectful and answer the question. Atticus shows to the jury that Mr. Ewell didn't even think of calling the doctor. He knows the crowd will think that it is strange to not call the doctor in such an extreme case. Atticus is also always respectful to who he's talking to whenever. He speaks to Jem and Scout the same way he is speaking to Mr. Ewell. Even with Aunt Alexandra he is always respectful. Atticus as a person will not change, but the way he presses for certain things will. When in court, he becomes more forceful, and wants the answers. At home, he is less commanding with Jem and Scout. Atticus is the same character throughout the book, but at certain times he changes his level of command and forcefulness.
Why do you think Atticus' shows a sharper edge during the courtroom? Do you think that Atticus is a strong lawyer? Do you think his personality changes within the courtroom? Do you think that being a lawyer affects how he acts outside of the courtroom?
I agree with you Jeffery that Atticus is much more forceful at court. I think it has to do with Atticus really wanting to prove that his client is innocent. I also think he is more forceful because he is not talking to someone in his family.
ReplyDeleteWill Atticus's courtroom attitude carry on at home? Will Jem and Scout be more afraid and respectful of Atticus now that they have seen him being forceful.
Yes and no.
DeleteI definitely do NOT think that Atticus's attitude will carry on at home, but i do think that, just like the mad dog incident, Jem and Scout will view their father in a different way. I am sure that Atticus has been talking like that in court for years without his children knowing. He has two completely different sides, one a strict, forceful, convincing lawyer, the other a Knowledgeable, kind, loving father, and he has become extremely adapt at switching between the two.
Atticus shows a sharper edge in court because he realizes that lives may hang (no pun intended, I'm not that sick) in the balance. He knows Tom could be killed if Atticus loses the case for him. Atticus knows this, and the town does too, evidenced by Miss Maudie saying, " It's morbid, watching a poor devil on trial for his life." (213) Atticus fights for not only Tom, but for Tom's family, too. It is because of this that Atticus knows he must fight for Tom as well as he could for himself, and as well as he would for himself.
ReplyDeleteI disagree that Atticus is more forceful, a better word to describe what he is like in court is motivated. In court he wants to do his job and do it well. At home Atticus is more laid back and is when he wants to relax, so I don't think his courtroom attitude will carry on at home. I think that Jem and Scout will be more respectful of Atticus because they learned that "The court appointed Atticus to defend him,"(p. 218) which is new information for them knowing that he didn't have a choice.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think the town will think of Atticus after the court case?
Answering Jeffery's question: "Do you think Atticus is a strong lawer?", I would say yes. I agree with Jeffery's points that Atticus acts differently in court than with his children, but even though he is pushing the witnesses to share their stories, I believe that he is not trying to be as forceful as he may come across. Weather he intends to or not, Atticus has a simple tactic he uses when talking to the witnesses. By using his calm nature and easy-going look, the witness slowly gains comfort and the reassurance that Atticus will not have any evidence against them. "It was becoming evident that he (Bob Ewell) thought Atticus an easy match. He seemed to grow ruddy again; his chest swelled, and once more he was a red little rooster." (236) This way, when Atticus starts getting to his point involving the case, the witness will be caught off guard, and it will be easy to prove or disprove their testimony. Atticus also feels an extreme level of comfort in the courtroom, which is why he gains so much power and forcefulness as he progresses with the trial. Through Atticus' actions, he also shows that he is professional, as well as experienced which adds to the factors of his success as a lawyer.
ReplyDeleteDo you think that Atticus had planned for the children to come view the trial, just as he had planned for Scout to hear his conversation with his brother? What do you think of the children's decision to sneak out to the courtroom: was it a good idea or a bad idea? Do you think the children are even mature enough to be involved in this case at the courtroom?
In response to Rory's first question, I believe that Atticus has already been treating Scout and Jem with respect and maturity because this is the only way he knows how. Because of this, the children matured quickly and were able to comprehend how he treated him. As the children mature, Atticus can connect and bond more with them. He treats his children with the same respect he treats his clients. This gives Scout a father to help her with her struggles as well as making Atticus a strong and effective lawyer.
ReplyDeleteDo you think Atticus's style of parenting helpful to Scout and Jem? Is Atticus too hard on his children or too soft in the courtroom?
@Kaley, Atticus' style of parenting is helpful to Scout and Jem. His style of parenting allows him to speak realistically and morally about subjects that most parents would not talk to their kids about. Above all, it allows Scout and Jem to grow on their own. In the past couple of chapters, Jem has really progressed as a character. This is mainly due to Atticus' way of telling a moral, and leaving it for them to "chew on." In addition to this, Atticus has never hit either of them and holds them in high regard. This allows Scout and Jem to do the same back. Atticus is neither too hard nor too soft on the kids, which helps for the development of his two children.
DeleteIn response to the original post, I actually don't think Atticus is forceful in the courtroom at all, but I do think he is different then when he at home with Scout and Jem. He seems much more passive. When he is parenting, he goes all out this the preaching and the teaching and the morals and such, but in the courtroom he is more subdued. He asks his questions, but he doesn't allow people to know what he's thinking- its a good tactic to have in his profession.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jenna. I think that Atticus is no more forceful than he is at home. He makes everything much more obvious by repeating himself, because he knows that most of the people in the courtroom don't have the same intelligence as Jem and Scout. I think that Atticus is even more calm when he is in the courthouse. I think that he is hard to follow which makes his argument worse. I find that if I am confused I either stop paying attention or get frustrated. I am still confused about why he kept bringing up the doctor. I thought that it was a strange angle to take on the route to showing that it was Mr. Ewell who did it.
ReplyDeleteWhy do you think Atticus kept bringing up the doctor? Do you think Dill understood anything that happened?
I think Atticus uses the same methods he uses with Scout and Jem as in the courtroom. Atticus presents things in a way that he gives off details that do not make sense to you at the time, he does things that seem to be off topic, and lastly he does things that do not make sense at the time. However, once he tells Jem and Scout why he did this, it all makes sense.
ReplyDeleteTake Mrs. Dubose for example, Jem didn't understand why Atticus made him read to Mrs. Dubose. Once Jem had finished his month, Mrs. Dubose didn't think he had so, Atticus made him read longer instead of negotiating with Mrs. Dubose. Once Mrs. Dubose died however, Atticus reveled his reasons to the children. His reasons being strong points and produced a helpful life lesson.
Notice how Atticus continuously brought up the doctor, I believe this is so because he know something extremely important, he knows something that could turn the case around. He repeated certain questions because he knew that the answere was important. I think that Atticus will revel his point later on in the case.
The only difference between Atticus's behavior at court and at home is the presentation of it all. Atticus is a lot more casual about it at home and brings it in ways that is much simpler to understand. In court however he makes it seem as though he keeps it as though he is killing everybody with suspense on why he is repeating certain topics, because they know Atticus is an extremely good lawyer and he doesn't make silly mistakes.
What do you think Atticus's point in the case will be?
I disagree. I do not think that Atticus is any more forceful at court than he is at home. When Atticus was asking questions to Mr. Ewell, he was bringing up reasons and was still talking in a respectful manner. Even though he had a strong belief and was very passionate about what he was talking about, and it was carried into his tone of voice, I do not think that makes forceful. When Atticus is at home, he often tells Jem and Scout things to do, such as not to fight or to go to bed. He says these things in the same was he spoke to Mr. Ewell, with a strong belief and reason, knowing he’s right, although he does not ask them questions. I do believe that Atticus is a strong lawyer, but I completely disagree that he is more forceful in the courtroom than at home.
ReplyDeleteDo you think Atticus will end up winning the case? Why of why not?
At Sophie's question: I do not think that Atticus will end up winning the case. Although in the end of chapter 17, the case looks as if Atticus has a clear win, his left-hand theory will not be enough to win the case. First, Atticus asks the question on "medical help." This is just a way for Atticus to tell the judge that Mayella was not TOO hurt. Second, when Atticus talks about Mr. Ewell being left-handed, no-one has proven that Tom Robinson is not left handed. I concur that Harper Lee is adding suspense to the book through how "well" the case is going. Lastly, Atticus is defending a black person, someone of the "smaller minority." This should be remembered while the case is going on because all odds are in the white persons favor.
ReplyDeleteDo you think that Jem and Scout would think different of Atticus, if Atticus lost the case?
Response to Andrew: I do not think Jem and Scout will think differently of Atticus if he looses the case, because the Finch family is so close-nit. By this I mean that no matter what happens, Scout and Jem will be supportive and continue to love Atticus. The whole Finch family stands by each other and looks out for each other. Even little Scout protected Atticus that one night outside the jail when the Old Sacrum gang was trying to get to Tom Robinson. Also, Jem is such a good brother to Scout even though he is growing up. What I am trying to say is, no mater what the outcome of Atticus' case is, Scout and Jem will never lose faith in their father.
DeleteDo you think the Finch family will continue to be so "close-nit", or will they drift apart because of the case?