Why Is Tom Robinson Pointless

“Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try and win” says Atticus, stating his main reasoning as to why he accepts the case to defend Tom Robinson, a black man who was convicted of raping Mayella Ewell a white woman. Racism was a normal and accepted part of society in Maycomb County. Especially during the time in which the novel is set in, the 1930s. Atticus knows this, however he chooses to defend Tom Robinson for several reasons. He knows the people of Maycomb would be talking about the case, and he hopes that by taking the case he would be able to make a positive effect on people's mindset and take baby steps towards destroying racial discrimination. His children are also learning valuable …show more content…
The townspeople are starting to realize the way they are treating black people is wrong. For example when Bob Ewell is dead, Heck Tate the sheriff of the town covers up the death. He also explains this by saying “There’s a black boy dead for no reason, and the man responsible for its dead. Let the dead bury the dead this time Mr.Finch. Let the dead bury the dead.” At the start of the novel Mr. Underwood did not understand why Atticus chooses to defend Tom Robinson. However when Tom Robinson is in jail and a bunch of people from Maycomb go to lynch him, Mr.Underwood defends TOm Robinson and Atticus. He pulls out his gun and tells Atticus that he has got his back covered. At this point in the story Mr.Underwood's’ moral values are not completely different however he realizes he must protect Tom Robinson because it is the right thing to do regardless of his skin color. The main reason Mr.Underwood is different is because he respects Atticus and his beliefs. Atticus once mentions “It is a sin to kill a mockingbird.” Miss Maudie further explains this by saying “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people’s gardens, don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts you, don't let ‘em get your goout for us. That's why it’s a sin to kill a …show more content…
At the start of the novel, the children are not exposed to the real world and its’ problems. They have never faced discrimination. Jem and Scout think the people of Maycomb are very nice people living in a perfect community. In part two of the novel the children are starting to become more aware of their surroundings. At the start of the trial Scout and Jem are targets at school because their dad is defending Tom Robinson. Jem is more mature than Scout so he is able to control his emotions. However, Scout gets into a couple of fights with other school children. When she goes home, Atticus tells her “You might hear sime ugly talk about it at school, but do one thing for me if you will; just hold your head high and keep those fists down. No matter what anybody says to at. Try fighting with your head for a change. “ The new generation of children in Maycomb County are going to be more open minded since they are children and more open to change, they will be able to look at others with less prejudice. They will also learn to fight with their head as Atticus said. In the same manner, the Tom Robinson case is a big part of why Jem and Scout mature so quickly. We can see this change by the way the think about and treat Boo Radley. At first, Jem, Scout, and Dill treat Boo like a zoo animal. They play games that imitate him, and make bets on him. As the