Post #2 – Neo-Aristotelian Criticism
(source: http://www.americanrhetoric.com/MovieSpeeches/moviespeechtokillamockingbird.html )
This snippet is from To Kill a Mockingbird, where Atticus Finch is giving his closing statement to the court. As he defends Tom Robinson, he shames the court in a tactful way about their ignorance and bigotry and that Tom is a victim.
Atticus is the rhetor as he takes center stage for his closing comment and addresses the court with his statements. The topic, or the case at hand, is whether or not Tom Robinson is guilty of rape. It is particularly messy since the plaintiff is a white woman, and during this time period (1962), black people were automatically in the wrong and liars. The jury, judge, and the accusers are his captive audience since they are listening to what he has to say, and deliberating for themselves how to process it.
The whole purpose of this scene was to highlight the ignorance and deep-seated bigotry that people held in their hearts which prevented from making the right choice – however obvious it was. Atticus explains how people will turn a blind-eye to justice simply because it is convenient for them – knowing that injustice will keep them safe. In this context, white people could get away with anything – especially if they are in the wrong – if a black person is involved since the blame/fault would automatically shift to them.
Recent Comments