Atticus’ closing argument is effective because he does three things. He speaks to the jury not as a lawyer, but as a man, addresses race, and calls upon the jurors to do their duty. Just before his argument he “unbuttoned his vest, unbuttoned his collar, loosened his tie and took off his coat,” (Lee 271). This is to induce empathy with the jury. People are inclined to be angry with Atticus, because they disagree with him fighting Tom Robinson’s case, and he has thus been ostracized from the community. If he had stayed as if a buttoned up lawyer, the jury would be more inclined to not listen deeply to him, because they would have no empathy with him. However, when he tries to make himself appear like the jury, just a poor, working man, they are more likely to look at things through his point of view. Atticus takes this further. “His voice had lost its aridity, its detachment and he was talking to the jury as if they were folks on the post office corner,” (Lee 271). To the jury, this signifies openness. Atticus is doing this so he seems like an honest man who is just telling the facts. Another effective action that Atticus takes is directly addressing race. Race is the unspoken issue in Tom Robinson’s trial. Atticus knows that if he doesn’t address the racism in Maycomb, it will stand and the jury will automatically be influenced by it. Instead he puts the jury in a difficult position. “Which gentlemen, we know to be a lie [race]… this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men,” (Lee 273). His argument, as if the idea that they would behave in a racist way is very dishonourable, could lead some of them to believe that, and acquit Tom Robinson. Finally, Atticus calls upon the jurors to do what is right, not what is easy. “There is one way in this country that all men are created equal… that institution gentlemen, is a court,” (Lee 274). This is how Atticus tells them to put aside their prejudices, and make the verdict as the evidence suggests it is. In the courtroom, most people can see that Tom Robinson is not guilty. However, Atticus knows that the verdict goes beyond right or wrong: “In the name of God, do your duty,” is his final plea (Lee 275). The decision comes down entirely to whether or not the jurors will choose a black man over a white woman and white man. Most of Atticus’ effectiveness is because he directly addresses race and the jurors' duty, standing there as a regular man.
Atticus uses many successful arguments. Why do you think that, despite his argument he couldn't change the jurors' minds?
I think that he couldn't change the jurors' minds because they are racially unjust to Tom Robinson. I think that the "race card" played a lot into the decision and not so much the facts and evidence. Atticus knows that it will come down to race which is why he gives the part of his closing argument about how all men are created equal. Halfway through his argument Atticus pauses and Harper Lee writes, "We had never seen him sweat---he was one of those men whose faces never perspired, but now it was shining tan." (Lee 273) Harper Lee includes this line to show that Atticus is nervous about the outcome of the trial. Deep down he knows that he is not going to win, solely because of the color of Tom Robinson's skin.
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ReplyDeleteAt the very end of the trail, Atticus delivered a very effective final speech, that was truthful and from the heart. He begins the speech by taking off his coat and tie, causing Jem and Scout to be very confused. "This was the equivalent of him standing before us stark naked," (Lee 271). This shows that Atticus has nothing to hide, and also that he means business. At the end of the day, Atticus takes off his jacket in hope to relax the jury and get them on his side. Atticus then delivers a very powerful and convincing speech that doesn't miss a single fact, and even touches on laws of the court. Overall, Atticus's speech was effective, powerful, and truthful.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with Julia, with the statements she made about Atticus' strategies and tactics used in the case. We have seen throughout the book that Atticus is a wise and hardworking man. This shows in the case when Atticus is explaining the final outcome, as he carefully placed all the pieces of evidence together. Unfortunately racist prejudice played a huge role in the final decision made. As portrayed throughout the book, the society the characters live is heavily influenced by racism. During the court scene, Atticus explains, "She was a white and tempted a black. She did something that in our society is unspeakable, she kissed a black man," (Lee 272). Although the people responsible falsely accused Tom Robinson, the event that occurred is so "unspeakable" that because of racist prejudice. So Tom is blamed. Atticus made a fair argument, but couldn't change the color of Tom's skin. Therefore he didn't have much of a chance to win the case.
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