Atticus's Choice to Defend Tom: a Moral Imperative

Why Does Atticus Take on Tom’s Case?

Why does Atticus Finch, a small-town lawyer in Harper Lee's classic, To Kill a Mockingbird, decide to defend Tom Robinson? That’s the big question. We’re in 1930s Alabama, a place charged with tension and racial divides. Tom, a black man, is accused of raping a white woman. The odds are stacked high against him. So why does Atticus choose to defend him? Well, it boils down to his belief in human goodness, his passion for justice, and wanting to show his kids the right way to live.

Belief in People’s Goodness

First off, Atticus has this strong belief that people are basically good. It's kinda his thing throughout the story. He trusts that everyone’s decent deep down, no matter their race or status. He believes everyone should get fair treatment under the law—doesn't matter if you’re black or white. It really shows when he tells Scout and Jem, "Courage isn't a man with a gun in his hand. It's knowing you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what" (Lee 112). Sure, he knows there's loads of prejudice around him. But he’s not letting that stop him from doing what he thinks is right.

A Stand for Justice

Next up is his commitment to justice. Let’s face it; justice isn’t always easy, especially in Maycomb where things are so divided. But for Atticus, fighting for what’s fair is like a moral duty. He stands up against personal comfort and societal norms for it. In court, he pokes holes in the prosecution's case and challenges those deep-seated prejudices that threaten an innocent man. He says to his kids, "The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience" (Lee 105). For Atticus, taking Tom's case isn't just about legal work; it's about standing up for fairness and equality.

Setting an Example

Atticus also defends Tom because of Scout and Jem. As their dad, what he does matters more than just words. By defending Tom, he's teaching them empathy and courage—standing up for what's right even when it's unpopular or tough. These lessons stick with Scout and Jem, shaping how they see justice and equality later on. They learn from him that real courage isn't about not being scared; it’s about facing fears head-on when the odds aren't great.

The Bigger Picture

In the end, Atticus decides to stand by Tom because of these beliefs—in goodness, in justice—and because he wants to be a good role model for his kids. He's not letting racism or prejudice sway him away from what he knows is right. By defending Tom Robinson, he's challenging society's norms and showing all the flaws in a system where racial bias often wins out over truth.

This choice? It's a reminder of how important it is to stand up for what's right—even when everyone else might be against you.

• Lee, H. (1960). To Kill a Mockingbird. J.B. Lippincott & Co.
• Mills, C.W., & Mullis D.R., (2006). "Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird: The Real-Life Inspiration Behind Its Characters." Southern Literary Journal.
• Noble Jr., D.A., (1998). "Lawyers as Leaders: The Case of Atticus Finch." The Alabama Lawyer.
• Taylor A., & Levine R.S., (2017). "The Moral Courage of Atticus Finch." The Mississippi Quarterly.
• Wilson E.E., (2014). "Courage Under Fire: Defending an Unpopular Cause." The American Journal of Legal History.