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does atticus win the court case

by Mya Deckow Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch does not win the court case. Tom Robinson
Tom Robinson
Tom Robinson is a Black man who works in a cotton field in Maycomb. He is a generous man and a model citizen who is well liked by his employer and by members of the Black community. At twenty-five years old, he has a wife and children. He is accused of raping a white woman, Mayella Ewell, and is put on trial.
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, an African-American man, is found guilty of raping a white woman,... See full answer below.

Full Answer

How does Atticus feel about his chances of winning the case?

Atticus realizes he has no chance of winning the case because of the prejudiced jury, but he is still going to defend Tom to the best of his ability.

Did Atticus Finch win the case I waited and waited?

“I waited and waited to see you all come down the sidewalk, and as I waited I thought, Atticus Finch won't win, he can't win, but he's the only man in these parts who can keep a jury out so long in a case like that.” Click to see full answer. Hereof, did Atticus Finch win the case? Scout then asks Atticus if he is going to win the case.

Why does Atticus say he is going to defend Tom Robinson?

When Scout asks him why he is even going to try to defend Tom, Atticus tells her, "Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win" (48). Atticus realizes he has no chance of winning the case because of the prejudiced jury, but he is still going to defend Tom to the best of his ability.

What question does Scout ask Atticus about the case?

Scout then asks Atticus if he is going to win the case. Atticus simply tells Scout, "No, honey" (48). Atticus realizes he has no chance of winning the case because of the prejudiced jury, but he is still going to defend Tom to the best of his ability.

Does Atticus lose the trial?

Though the trial targets Tom Robinson, in another sense it is Maycomb that is on trial, and while Atticus eventually loses the court case, he successfully reveals the injustice of a stratified society that confines Black people to the “colored balcony” and allows the word of a despicable, ignorant man like Bob Ewell to ...

Who won the court case in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Atticus's efforts proved Tom's innocence, but the jury still found him guilty. Atticus points out to his children (and the reader) that the jury took hours to deliberate, that they didn't simply vote 'guilty' directly after the evidence was given.

Why does Atticus say he won't win the trial?

Why does Atticus think that he can't win Tom Robinson's cause? It will become an African-American's word against a white woman's, the will believe lies-- even if the facts prove otherwise.

What happens as Atticus leaves the courtroom?

Why do people in the balcony gallery stand when Atticus leaves the courtroom? They stand out of respect for what Atticus has done for Tom and for their community. They see that Atticus had achieved the impossible even though ignorance and bigotry won out. Everyone knew the truth.

How does Atticus end his summation?

Atticus ends his summation with the words, “In the name of God, believe him.” 5. Atticus removes his coat, unbuttons his vest and collar, and loosens his tie.

What is the outcome of the trial in To Kill a Mockingbird?

A jury never looks at a defendant it has convicted, and when this jury came in, not one of them looked at Tom Robinson (Chapter 21, p. 217). Despite strong and persuasive arguments, Tom Robinson is declared guilty.

Does Atticus expect to win trial?

When he takes the case, Atticus assumes that they will lose the trial, but he believes they have an excellent chance in the appeal process. The people of his community trust him to do the right thing, and he does. After the trial is over, Atticus feels discouraged by the outcome, but he is not beaten by it.

Does Atticus win the appeal?

The African American community loads the Finch family with food for defending Tom so valiantly, which surprises the children because Atticus didn't win. Atticus tells Jem not to be disheartened because he will appeal Tom's case, and they stand a much better chance of winning on appeal.

Did Atticus think Tom was innocent?

Tom Robinson is an innocent black male blamed for raping the daughter of Mr. Ewell. Atticus proves that Tom is innocent but, the jury rejects his claim because of his skin color.

Who threatens Atticus's life after the trial?

Background. Despite the guilty verdict, the effects of the trial linger. At the end of chapter 22, we learned that Bob Ewell confronted and threatened Atticus.

Who stands up as Atticus leaves the courtroom?

Despite Tom Robinson losing his case, the Black people on the second level all stand up as Atticus leaves. Rev. Sykes turns to Scout and says, "Jean Louise, stand up.

Why did Jem cry after the trial?

Why did Jem cry? He cried because it wasn't fair that the Tom should be convicted of something he didn't do, and the jruy knew he didn't do this and yet they still sentenced him to death.

Why did the hangman say he only had the chance to keep murdering people?

The hangman said he only had the chance to keep murdering people because nobody stood up and said something about it. It is ironic that the victim said nobody cried for me because when other people were getting hanged he didn’t say anything either. This leads to the bystander effect because the people of the town did not want to say anything since maybe someone else could have said

Is Steve from Monster convicted?

He gets the verdict of not guilty since there is room for reasonable doubt, and is released from jail. Steve is definitely guilty since the jury was not able to read his journal and think his thoughts. First of all, Steve questions himself about whether he is innocent or a monster. When Steve was talking to one of his inmates, “He said when he gets out, he will have the word Monster tattooed on his forehead. I feel like I already have it tattooed on mine” (61).

Why does Atticus not have a chance of winning the case?

Atticus recognizes that he does not have a chance of winning the case because it is a Black man's word against a white woman's. In the Jim Crow South, racism is deeply embedded into the culture and black people are considered second-class citizens with little to no rights.

Who did Atticus represent in the trial?

Atticus had hoped to never have a case of this magnitude but obediently follows Judge Taylor's decision to have him represent Tom Robinson. Following the trial and Tom's tragic death, Scout recognizes the full extent of her father's predicament by saying,

Why is it impossible to win the Tom Robinson case?

Atticus understands that winning the Tom Robinson case is virtually impossible due to the systemic racism and prejudice that is prevalent throughout Maycomb, Alabama. In Chapter 9, Scout asks her father if he has a chance of winning the case, and Atticus says, " No, honey " (Lee 48). Scout then asks her father why he is even trying, and Atticus says, " Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win " (Lee 48). Later on, Uncle Jack asks Atticus if he has a chance of winning the case, and Atticus says,

Why can't Atticus win in his defense of Tom Robinson?

Atticus thinks he can't win in his defense of Tom Robinson because of Maycomb's systemic racism. As Atticus explains to Uncle Jack, the case will come down to whose word the jury will believe. They are not likely to believe Tom's word over that of Mayella and her father, despite how suspicious they are. Download PDF. Print.

Why does Atticus believe the jury will not accept Tom's testimony?

Atticus realizes that the jury will not accept Tom's testimony as truth for the simple fact that Tom is an African American. In 1930s Alabama, segregation was commonplace, and Jim Crow laws were enacted to separate and discriminate against black people. The Post-Reconstruction era promoted systemic racism throughout the South and Atticus is essentially challenging the entire culture by defending a black man. The jury could not possibly rule in favor of Tom and subject themselves to the cultural taboo of favoring "Negroes."

What does Atticus tell Jim and Scout?

Atticus tells Jim and Scout that he isn't just defending Tom Robinson: he's fighting 100 years of history and he is not going to win against all that precedence, no matter how great an attorney he may be. Approved by eNotes Editorial Team.

Does Atticus expect the jurors to vote in Tom Robinson's favor?

Even though the Ewells are the most despicable family in the entire county and Tom Robinson has a stellar reputation, Atticus does not expect the jurors to vote in Tom's favor. Despite the hopeless situation, Atticus risks his reputation and sacrifices his family's well-being by courageously defending Tom Robinson to the best of his ability.

Why does Atticus realize he has no chance of winning the case?

Atticus realizes he has no chance of winning the case because of the prejudiced jury, but he is still going to defend Tom to the best of his ability. Approved by eNotes Editorial Team.

What would Atticus lose if he didn't take the case?

By this he means he would lose his sense of integrity and instead feel a strong sense of shame if he didn't take the case. As he tells Scout, every lawyer gets one case in his lifetime that is "personal" to him, and this is his. Atticus would sacrifice his sense of self and his self respect if he didn't give the case the best he could offer it.

What does Cecil Jacobs say to Scout in Chapter 9?

Share Link. At the beginning of Chapter 9, Scout gets offended when Cecil Jacobs says Atticus defends "niggers" on the playground. Later that night, Scout asks her father if it is true that he defends Negroes. Atticus explains to Scout that he will be defending a black man named Tom Robinson.

Why does Atticus not win the case against Tom Robinson?

No, Atticus knows from the start that he will not win the case against Tom Robinson, because the rules of white southern society in the 1930s won't allow a black to win against a white. When Scout then asks Atticus why he is fighting a battle he knows he will lose, Atticus explains that.

Who does Atticus tell Scout he will defend?

Atticus explains to Scout that he will be defending a black man named Tom Robinson. Atticus proceeds to tell Scout that if he chose not to defend Tom Robinson, then he wouldn't be able to hold his head in town or represent Maycomb in the legislature. Scout then asks Atticus if he is going to win the case. Atticus simply tells Scout, "No, honey" ...

Did Atticus win the case?

Atticus would sacrifice his sense of self and his self respect if he didn't give the case the best he could offer it. In fact, Atticus doesn't win, but he does maintain his integrity and earn the respect of the black community.

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