Rhetorical Analysis of Atticus's Closing Argument. Tom Robinson now sits before you, having taken the oath with the only good hand he possesses--his right hand. Honor is crucial no matter the situation, so to compress the film version of To Kill a Mockingbird by eliminating scenes that encourage honor, discards a valuable principle for viewers to grasp. There is not a person in this courtroom who has never told a lie, who has never done an immoral thing, and there is no man living who has never looked upon a woman without desire(Lee 232) While Atticus is talking he changes his tone in order to address the audience on a more personal level to try to make an impact on someone's mind. He states a court is only as good as the members of the jury. In To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the passage I analyzed was a short conversation between Atticus and Jack. Therefore, antithesis can help readers understand something by defining its opposite. Instant PDF downloads. Speech is silver but silence is gold. In this catchy oath, Green Lantern uses antithesis to emphasize that his mission to defeat evil will endure no matter the conditions. First, the structure is parallel. Thomas Jefferson once said that all men are created equal some people are smarter than others, some people have more opportunity because they're born with it, some men make more money than others, some ladies make better cakes than others--some people are born gifted beyond the normal scope of men. This case was about the rape of Mayella Ewell by an African American man in a small southern town of Maycomb, Alabama. Because of his penetrating intelligence, calm wisdom, and exemplary behavior, Atticus is respected by everyone, including the very poor. Furthermore, he states that this case is one he is affected personally by, and that even though he knew that they were not going to win, he agreed because, Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win. (p. 84). Another example of when Atticus uses ethos is when he addresses these beliefs and prejudices the southern people in his town hold about black people. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. For example: When Tom Robinson has accused the entirety of the town flocked to the courthouse to view the trial. This conversation is taking place just days before the controversial trial of Atticus defending a black man accused of rapeing a white woman. (58)"The second grade was as bad as the first." Despite knowing the true cause of Mayella Ewells injuries, Atticus knew he would lose the case. . Recently, Mayella Ewell is on trial prosecuting Tom Robinson on charges of rape. the unmitigated temerity to feel sorry for a white woman. If one does not, they are tantalized, and as seen earlier in the book called a negro lover and more provocative terms which, back then were seen as incredibly negative. Atticus notes that some black people are dishonest and immoral, but this statement holds true for some people of every race. " Racial discrimination is hinted throughout Toms trial as Atticus Finch explains to Jem that a white mans word will always win over that of a black mans - "In our courts, when it's a white man's word against a black man's, the white man always wins. He comes up against a tough, rock solid case including an African American man and a young woman who grew up in poverty. Pathos Pathos It is an old argument about whether potions should qualify as its own kind of magic, or be considered a kind . Logos .she has merely broken a time honored code of our society Pathos Last updated: Sep 29, 2021 3 min read. This famous statement by Muhammad Ali displays two contrasting animal actions: a silent (floating) butterfly and an aggressive (sting) bee. Our courts have their faults, as does any human constitution, but in this country our courts are the great levellers, and in our courts all men are created equal. Name four key points of Atticus' closing arguments. Deeper than the surface, Atticus not only acquires credibility to himself but also offers it to the jury as he trusts the jury in hope that they trust him as. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men, There is not a person in this courtroom who has never told a lie, who has never done an immoral thing, and there is no man living who has never looked upon a woman without desire.". In this song by The Clash, the speaker is caught at a crossroads between two choices, and antithesis serves as the perfect tool to express just how confused and conflicted he is. Taylor knew that Finch would work diligently toward Robinson's case, when compared to other attorneys. Tom Robinson can't use his left hand. The overwhelming accumulation of antitheses is also purposefully overdone; Dickens is using hyperbole to make fun of the "noisiest authorities" of the day and their exaggerated claims. observing correct grammar and parallelism, in order to achieve the ultimate contrasting effect. Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes (the band "AFI" - album title) The antithesis here is a juxtaposition of two different actions (opening and shutting) that are actually part of the same sort of behavior - the behavior of somebody who wants to understand the world rather than be the center of attention. In "To Kill A Mockingbird", Atticus Finch's closing argument has multiple elements that allow him to get his point across. In most cases, antitheses involve parallel elements of the sentencewhether a pair of nouns, verbs, adjectives, or other grammar elements. Tom Robinson, a young black man accused of raping a white woman, will be judged by a court whose deep-rooted racism impels them to avert their eyes from the truth. In brightest day, in blackest night, No evil shall escape my sight. Atticus Finch's Closing Argument in the movie To Kill a Mockingbird . Authors and speakers use antithesis between characters, concepts and situations to draw contrasts in their work which can be a very effective way to persuade an audience to support a character, vote a certain way or even buy a particular product. Atticus uses ethos to prove Toms innocence by acknowledging the credibility of the courts: "Our courts have their faults, as does any human institution, but in this country our courts are the great levelers, and in our courts all men are created equal" (205). . He goes on to say that Tom is not guilty but someone in the room is. As Atticus is explaining that Tom is a person and Ella Ewell tempted him and he said no. By using ethos, he makes a statement that shows how society looks at a white women kissing a colored man, "Now what did she do? The two terms are set near each other to enhance or highlight the contrast in opposite meaning. Instead of making his speech specifically about Tom Robinson, Atticus stated that some people of a race may lie, but that is true for all humans, no matter what the color of their skin is. He says that courts are the great levelers, meaning that the courts carry out justice. . One of the most famous examples of rhetoric in literature is Atticus's speech in Chapter Twenty of To Kill a Mockingbird. The case is really pressuring Atticus into actually fighting for what he believes is right. Then, students will analyze and evaluate the structure and persuasiveness of the speech. Atticus Finch begins his closing statement with his claim "to begin with, this case should have never come to trial. Antithesis is used in everyday speech, novels, poems, short stories, plays, and more. Each "side" of the phrase has the same number of words and the same structure. Ford 9 Inch Rear End Gear Ratios Chart, 2. I have asked my client to leave the courtroom, as I had asked him not to be here during the medical . Refine any search. examples of antithesis in frankenstein Essay about the teachers day but most tie in to darwins general theory of random mutation, natural selection and how, in davids opinion, it falls short of . This is an example of antithesis because . This is for Atticus using certain diction, syntax, and tone to help deliver his thoughts and ideas in one last chance to help a doomed man. - Unknown It shows the contrasting qualities of speech versus silence and compares it to silver versus gold. Often, but not always, antithesis works in tandem with parallelism. This is an antithesis example because there is the contrast between the animals and their actions (the peaceful floating butterfly versus the aggressive stinging bee) combined with the parallel grammatical structure of similes indicated by "like a." Explain. A closing statement is a statement made at the end of a debate, or more often, a legal trial, delivered by a representative of each side of the case or debate. "The tree is as heavy as you are, Jem." During Atticuss closing speech for the trial he addresses the audience and says, "You know the truth, and the truth is this: some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around womenblack or white. The defendant is not guilty, but somebody in this courtroom is. I am confident that you gentlemen will review without passion the evidence you have heard, come to a decision, and restore this defendant to his family. Tom Robinson, a human being. The sentence "this case is as simple as black and white" strikes the reader with its symbolic features. Atticus, Examples Of Atticus Finch's Ethos In To Kill A Mockingbird, Attorney Atticus Finch relies on ethos persuasion in the closing argument containing the intention to connect with the jury by highlighting the code of society along with the trustworthiness of the courtroom. Each "side" of the phrase has the same number of words and the same structure. So, while antithesis could be a type of juxtaposition, juxtaposition is not always antithesis. There are different ways a speaker or writer can appeal to his or her audience: 1) logic or reason (logos ), 2) emotion ( pathos ), and/or 3) ethics and morals ( ethos Logos: Members of the jury. Should I stay or should I go now? The following is a good example of both antithesis and parallelism: The two clauses of the sentence are parallel because each starts off with an infinitive verb and ends with an adjective ("human" and "divine"). Students will complete a graphic organizer to track and analyze Atticus' use of ethos, pathos, and logos. No guts, no glory. By repeating this vow, the courtroom must have certainty that the people will honor their trust. Atticus used artistic proofs, anaphora, and multiple other persuasive tools to connect with his audience and to prove to the jury that Tom Robinson was innocent. Atticus Finch begins his closing statement with his claim "to begin with, this case should have never come to trial." Here are the two reasons he gives to develop his argument. It is most likely that the best device that would be used to sway the jury would be logos. Here the sentence is clearly cut into two clauses on either side of the comma, and the contrasting elements are clear enough. Repeitition Tom Robinson, guilty, pity Pathos She is the victim of cruel poverty and ignorance. He is known for being dedicated to truth and justice, and he lives his life by doing what he believes is right. To Kill a Mockingbird: Atticus Finch's Closing Argument Analysis. Examples of Antithesis Example 1 That's one small step for a man - one giant leap for mankind. Harper Lee, wrote Finch as a character who defends Tom Robinson in a criminal trial. Those who can, do; those who can't do, teach. " there is circumstantial evidence to indicate that Mayella Ewell was beaten savagely by someone who led almost exclusively with his left Mr.Ewell swore out a warrant, no doubt signing it with his left hand. Ex. Nowhere is this concept more prevalent than in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. As you read, color-code the times when he clearly uses ethos, pathos, and logos. 6. Ethos,Pathos and Logos to prove to the jury that his client is innocent and can walk out of court that day a free man. While the sentence "the hare was fast, and the tortoise was slow" is an example of antithesis, if we step back and look at the story as a whole, the better term to describe the relationship between the characters of the tortoise and the hare is "foil," as in, "The character of the hare is a foil of the tortoise.". While this did not concern him. In the opening lines of his beautiful novel, A Tale . First, he asserts that the "State has not produced one iota of medical evidence that the crime Tom Robinson is charged with ever took place." Atticus uses ethos to prove Toms innocence by acknowledging the credibility of the courts: "Our courts have their faults, as does any human institution, but in this country our courts are the great levelers, and in our courts all men are created equal" (205). Walking south one faced its porch; the sidewalk turned and ran beside the lot. " Here are the two reasons he gives to develop his argument. Atticus shares his morals in the courtroom, You know the truth, and the truth is this: some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around womenblack or white. The structure of the words around the contrasting ideas is usually identical, at least in . Read. Each of these three terms does have to do with establishing a relationship of difference between two ideas or characters in a text, but beyond that there are significant differences between them. Definition and Examples of Antithesis as a Literary Device. The following is a good example of both antithesis and parallelism: To err is human, to forgive divine. To begin, This case involves a black man accused of raping a white woman. First, he asserts that the "State has not produced one iota of medical evidence that the crime Tom Robinson is charged with ever took place. Posted on . By portraying Atticus closing remarks with a tone of resignation, she clearly expresses a theme of the struggle for equality. It was customary to believe a white persons word over a black persons word, just based on skin tone alone (274). In the year of 1935 a man was put on trial for a crime he never could have committed, but a lawyer named Atticus fighter to save his life by using his powers in the courtroom. Inflaming the passions or prejudices of the jury. We must all learn to live together as brothersor we will all perish together as fools. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. Also, he was emotionally invested in this case, and he knew that his conscience would not allow him to do what was not right, regardless of others opinions. you gentlemen would go along with them on the assumption-the evil assumption-that all Negroes lie, that all show more content Etymology From the Greek, "opposition" Examples and Observations "Love is an ideal thing, marriage a real thing." (Goethe) She tempted a Negro. Many people believe integrity is one of the most important traits to have. The passage contains many examples of antithesis, each consisting of one pair of contrasting ideas that we've highlighted to make the structure clearer. Atticus uses. Atticus said that, You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of viewuntil you climb into his skin and walk around in it, (Lee, 30). Here, Henry uses antithesis to emphasize just how highly he prizes liberty, and how deadly serious he is about his fight to achieve it. Additionally, Atticus highlights his trustworthiness in the court system. Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs. Cha c sn phm trong gi hng. Jem learns that just because of the way you were born you are not given the same opportunities that others have just because of one factor, the color of your skin, not the way you act, or your reputation, but the color of your skin, something so little, but has such a massive impact on everyday life. Asked by victoria p #218393 on 12/6/2011 8:19 PM Last updated by Aslan on 12/6/2011 8:31 PM Answers 1 Add Yours. He tells the jury that they're smart enough to see that for, During the 1930s the south was still raging with racism, and the thought of a black man raping a white woman lead to no further investigation whether it was true or false, he was simply sentenced to death. The use of parallelism and other simple grammatical constructions like "either/or" help to establish opposition between conceptsand opposites have a way of sticking in the memory. However, very few people would be able to look at the world in a minoritys perspective during this time, therefore there were some supporters. Atticus Finch was allotted by Judge John Taylor to be Robinsons lawyer. Student Response by Danielle Buckner. First, Atticus believes that everyone is equal while the townspeople disagree and band him a nigger lover. Also, when talk to the jury Atticus quoted our declaration with: But there is one way in this country in which all men are created equal-there is one human institution that makes a pauper the equal of a Rockefeller, the stupid man the equal to Einstein, and he ignorant man the equal of any college president. A closing statement is a statement made at the end of a debate or more often a legal trial delivered by a representative of each side of the case or debate. Create a relationship of opposition between two separate ideas. The communitys disgust at Atticus decision is expressed when Scout is irked by Cecil Jacobs, a boy in her class, when he announces that, Scout Finchs daddy defended niggers. (p. 82). Examples of Antithesis: 1. He supports this statement when he proves that Mr. Robinson cant use his right hand. Full text and audio mp3 of movie speech To Kill A Mockingbird - Atticus Finch Closing Argument in the Trial of Tom Robinson American Rhetoric: Movie Speech: To Kill A Mockingbird - Atticus Finch Delivers Closing Argument in Robinson Trial The rhetorical device can be used in very different ways in order to achieve varied outcomes. . (37)"Jem waved my words away as if fanning gnats." Atticus uses logos to explain that the case of Tom Robinson relied upon the testimony of two witnesses. Atticus, the father of Jem and Scout, treats them with a rare respect, never laying a hand on either child and never leaving them in the dark about intense societal issues. Antithesis is a tool that pits two opposing ideas against each other, and the result is a contrasting effect that highlights an overarching meaning. The antithesis of everything about her quite little life. The White Savior Complex: a white individual will engage in an activity to benefit those of color for personal satisfaction. Eng208002 survey of british literature: beginnings to 1789 for an example of a comparative analysis paper from a former student that received an "a". First, he asserts that the "State has not produced one iota of medical evidence that the crime Tom Robinson is charged with ever took place. I know not what course others may take: but as for me, give me liberty or give me death. Text To Speech Not Working Android, I do my best to love everyone Im hard put sometimes - baby, its never an insult to be called a name that somebody thinks is a bad name (144). This makes the jury think again because Atticus is forcing the jury to look in at their own morals when he says to be sure upon all reasonable doubt. Some additional key details about antithesis: Here's how to pronounce antithesis: an-tith-uh-sis. H 3 p. A 29 MG 5 k. As you reread Atticus' closing argument (pgs. Written by the MasterClass staff. Antithesis has several purposes as a rhetorical device. In this case, Atticus uses pathos in a more convincing manner, employing emotions in an attempt to convince the spectators. The English language is full of literary devices that can enliven your writing. We are looking at an innocent man here, one whom the prosecution has not conjured up enough evidence to make this man guilty. Get a quick-reference PDF with concise definitions of all 136 Lit Terms we cover. He explains to the jury some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around womenblack or white. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that contains two opposing or contrasting words placed adjacent to each other within a phrase to produce an effect. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. Iago uses antithesis to contrast the two opposite potential outcomes of his villainous plot: either events will transpire in Iago's favor and he will come out on top, or his treachery will be discovered, ruining him. Atticus attempts to provide the jurors with a sense of duty to take the high road and acknowledge Tom Robinson as an equal in the courts: "It can be the Supreme Court of the United States or the humblest J.P. court in the land, or this honorable court which you serve. Antithesis can be defined as "a figure of speech involving a . He first states that the defendant is not guilty, but somebody in this courtroom is, implying that, In this sentence, Atticus is pleading with the jury to listen to Toms side of the story, despite knowing that the men on the jury will name Tom guilty, merely because of his skin color. I've got sunshine on a cloudy day When it's cold outside I've got the month of May Well I guess you'd say, What can make me feel this way? Get busy living or get busy dying. The English language is full of literary devices that can enliven your writing. An annotated text of the version delivered by Gregory Peck in the film adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) can be found here. Castle Books, 1981) . Atticus Finch fights a judicial battle against all odds to free the wrongly accused . Copyright 2023 IPL.org All rights reserved. Even though Atticus says in our courts all men are created equal he knows that truly they are not. Attacking the opposition's argument ; Atticus is trying to show that the state has no proof of the crime (no evidence of rape) "what was the evidence of her offense" "what did she do" List Technique and Effect For example, the text statesIt has relied instead upon the testimony of two witnesses whose evidence has not only . Learn the antithesis definition and see antithesis examples in literature and other fields. Atticus Finchs final speech to the jury in Harper Lees To Kill a Mockingbird inspires readers of all ages. One example of the diction is: "The Radley Place jutted into a sharp curve beyond our house. In this tumultuous era, where the differences between the haves and the have-nots was at its starkest, Dickens illustrates the antithetical concepts that existed simultaneously: Rhetorical Analysis of Atticus Finch's Closing Statement (Movie Version) To Kill a Mockingbird is known to many as one of the best pieces of American literature. (52) For instance, Neil Armstrong used antithesis when he stepped onto the surface of the moon in 1969 and said, "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind." It was clear that the people in the court do know that what Atticus says is true. In saying this, Atticus tries to convince the audience and jury that everyone is capable of making mistakes, and differences in appearance does not mean that groups of people are superior to others. This allows the juxtaposed words to be as . The one thing that doesnt abide by majority rule is a persons conscience. If he didnt take the case, Atticus tells Scout, I could never ask you to mind me again., Atticus Finch was a lawyer that had to be exploitive if he wanted to win cases. sbright@schr.org What follows are excerpts from the proceedings in the case of State of Georgia v. William Anthony Brooks tried in 1991 in the Full text and audio mp3 of movie speech To Kill A Mockingbird - Atticus Finch Closing Argument in the Trial of Tom Robinson For example, his beginning paragraph in the speech pertain to what the court knows and progressively as the speech continues opens up new ideas and thoughts that the jury and judge can go on when coming to a decision. They're usually more spread out, playing into the importance of parallelism. Parallelism is an important part of antithesis. In this song, the singer uses a pair of metaphors to describe the feeling of joy that his lover brings him. In everyone's mind Tom is bad because he is Black, through this quote Atticus tries to make the audience see that Tom is a man, and that some men are bad and some are good but Atticus just wants them to look at the evidence to decide if Toms guilty or not, and to try to make them see that everyone is capable of making mistakes not just black people. He justifies his rebellion against God with this pithy phrase, and the antithesis drives home the double contrast between Hell and Heaven, and between ruling and serving. CLOSING ARGUMENT EXAMPLE: Presenting a Theory of Defense Throughout the Case Stephen B. Authors and speakers use antithesis between characters, concepts and situations to draw contrasts in their work which can be a very effective way to persuade an audience to support a character, vote a certain way or even buy a particular product. CEP Lesson Plan Form-inquiry Everyone will then watch the portion of the film that is Atticus's closing argument. Just as trials begin with attorneys making statements about the case, they end with a direct address to the judge or jury. Despite this fact, Atticus Finch is wise to accept Tom Robinsons case due to the benefits to both his children and his community. Some familiar examples of antithesis are Muhammed Ali's famous expression ''float like a butterfly, sting like a bee,'' or Alexander Pope's advice that ''to err is human; to forgive divine.'' 7. Atticus' neighbor states, " don't see why you touched it in the first place You've got everything to lose from this Atticus. Atticus' Closing Remarks Essay. ARGUMENT AND CONDUCT OF COUNSEL 17 (2018). examples of antithesis in atticus closing argument. Some with hopes for justice and liberty but most unapologetically hoping for an unfair sentence. They show how he mentions living and dead putting them side by side. As one of the most prominent citizens in Maycomb during the Great Depression, Atticus is relatively well off in a time of widespread poverty. Perplexed by what he means, Scout asks Atticus, who explains that he is simply defending a negro (p. 83). There's not a person in this courtroom who has never told a lie, who has never done an immoral thing, and there is no man living who has never looked upon a woman without desire. Thats why he takes on the case at the heart of the story, the defense of a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman. But before I can live with other folks Ive got to live with myself. Part 2 of a worksheet. Convey magnitude or range (i.e. montana unemployment stimulus; among us tasks to do in real life; michael cooper toronto first wife; kali flanagan back to the start; who owns slomin's oil Antithesis is an effective literary device because humans tend to define through contrast. One day it's fine and next it's black So if you want me off your back Well, come on and let me know Should I stay or should I go? He instills fear in his audience by emphasizing that without guns we would not have the freedom we have today. Heroes generally go against what is expected, stay true to their morals, and always persevere, no matter how dire the outcome is expected to be. Atticus explains to Scout the reason as to why he must fight for Robinson is due to the fact that if he chose not to accept this case, his purpose for being who he is in this town would be meaningless. Anti Thesis Examples by Others Antithesis Example by Unknown "Man proposes, God disposes." Antithesis is a figure of speech that juxtaposes two contrasting or opposing ideas, usually within parallel grammatical structures. Then I will hand out either the film speech or the book speech. However, strictly speaking there isn't true parallelism here because "cold outside" and "month of May" are different types of grammatical structures (an adjective phrase and a noun phrase, respectively).