Atticus’s advice to Scout is to keep her fists down, don’t let anyone get her goat, and trying fighting with her head for a change.

Chapter 3

Atticus

In chapter 3 Atticus tells Scout, “if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you’ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view–until you climb in his skin and walk around in it.”

Mayella Ewell lies on the witness stand because she is afraid of her father, Bob Ewell, and because she is humiliated by her own attraction to Tom Robinson. She tells the jury that Tom beat and raped her when, in fact, it was her father who beat her when he saw her hugging and kissing an African American.

Atticus describes Mayella’s kissing Tom as a violation of a social code but not as a crime.

The law that Mayella breaks is the law against perjury. She gets up on the stand and tells a lie. The social code that she breaks is the code against having black men and white women in contact with one another.

In his closing argument, Atticus says that Mayella Ewell feels guilty.

Atticus says that Mayella’s crime is that she thrust herself on a black man, which was against the norms of society. She did this out of desperation and loneliness on account of her poverty and horrible upbringing.

Atticus becomes emotional and cries after reflecting on the African American community’s appreciation. Despite the fact that he lost a difficult case, they understand the courage it took for him to defend a black man against a prejudiced jury. Atticus cries after the loss of Tom Robinson’s court case.

Mayella claims to be scared of Atticus, and she is right to be scared of him, as Atticus has the power to expose her as a poor white woman who has attempted to seduce a black man.

Maycomb

Scout says that “‘Do you really think so? ‘ . . . was Atticus’ dangerous question” because he delighted in helping people see a situation in a new light. Atticus uses this approach not only with his children, but with all of Maycomb.

All men are created equal

How does Atticus claim that we are NOT all created equal? He says people are not equal in personlity and talent but in the court of law the court is “blind” and treats everybody equally. To give Atticus a letter from Aunt Alexandra saying that the kids were not home.

What is ironic about Jem’s certainty that Tom Robinson will be acquitted? Jem is mature enough to know that Atticus did a fine job defending Tom, but he is not worldly enough to know that no defense could be good enough in this case.

What makes Mayella think Atticus is “mocking” her? Because when he calls her “ma’am” and “Miss Mayella.” Mayella tells Judge Taylor that Atticus is mocking her when he has actually addressed her in terms of politeness. She is not used to being treated with respect or dignity and doesn’t like it.

In the movie, Atticus Finch states, “In this country our courts are the great levelers, and in our courts all men are created equal. I’m no idealist to believe firmly in the integrity of our courts and in the jury system. Gentlemen, a court is no better than each man of you sitting before me on this jury.

Atticus believes everyone should be treated equal. No matter who Atticus puts in danger he treats everyone fairly. Atticus shows his children how to respect people and treat them right no matter what the other person does or says to them.

‘ That was the only time I ever heard Atticus say it was a sin to do something, and I asked Miss Maudie about it. ‘Your father’s right,’ she said. ‘Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy…but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”

In effect, Atticus is stating that men are equal before the courts but that because of the prejudices of the people who make up the jury, the verdict may not reflect that equality.

Atticus defends Tom Robinson (Chapter 9, page 99) Atticus feels that he has to do what’s right to be able to hold his head up or even have any authority over his children. He also is willing to stand up against the odds—he knows he’s “licked” before he even begins.

There’s one human institution that makes the pauper the equal of a Rockefeller, the stupid man the equal to an Einstein. This institution, gentlemen, is a court of law. In our courts – all men are created equal.” – Atticus Finch, To Kill A Mockingbird.