Kelly Dizon

November 30, 2016

Ms. Frederick - Period 6
Utilization of Rhetoric in Atticus Finchs Trial Speech
During the end of chapter 20 in the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus
Finch gives a closing speech that uses various examples of rhetoric in order to persuade the jury
that Tom Robinson is not guilty, but is innocent. For example, ethos is used when Finch
connects with the audience by showing that he is a white man from their society (being white
was found very respectable during that era), She was white, and she tempted a Negro. She did
something that in our society is unspeakable: she kissed a black man. Not an old Uncle, but a
strong young Negro man. No code mattered to her before she broke it, but it came crashing down
on her afterwards (Lee, page 272). From the audiences point of view, they will believe that
Finch is truthful due to his appeal of being white. Furthermore in his statement, Finch proves that
being a white man in their society, he is well informed of the discrimination of black people
during their era. Hence, he understands how scandalous Mayellas actions were of kissing a
black man was. Additionally, pathos is used when Finch expresses his sorrows for Mayella
Ewell, I have nothing but pity in my heart for the chief witness for the state She has
committed no crime, she merely broken a rigid and time-honored code of our society, a code so
severe that whoever breaks it is hounded from our midst as unfit to live with. She is the victim of
cruel poverty and ignorance (Lee, page 271-272). This gives the spectators a hint of all the
trauma and sufferings that Mayella had to experience, while living in the Ewell family. Since
subjects like these are often found quite upsetting, this causes the audience to feel pity and

empathy towards Mayella. Lastly, logos is used when Finch illustrates the principles of what our
country was built upon, 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. Im no
idealist to believe firmly in the integrity of our courts and in the jury system- that is no ideal to
me, it is a living, working reality (Lee, page 274). This is a given fact. It has been an ideal in
our country for generations and generations that all men are created equal. Thus, it is a logical
statement for Finch to state. To conclude, Finchs closing speech is one of the iconic scenes in
the novel of To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. This is due to its utilization of rhetoric,
which include ethos, logos, and pathos. Applying these keynotes of rhetoric simply makes
Finchs speech an exceptional piece of work, causing his audience to listen and take
consideration for Tom Robinsons well being.