Chapter 20: Atticus's Closing Statement

Analyze Atticus's powerful closing statement and its impact on justice and equality.

Identifying Main Ideas Match each quote from Atticus's closing statement with it's correct main idea. “The state has not produced one iota of medical evidence to the effect that the crime Tom Robinson is charged with ever took place.” There is no medical evidence that proves a rape took place. “It has relied instead upon the testimony of two witnesses whose evidence has not only been called into serious questions on cross-examination, but has been flatly contradicted by the defendant.” The testimony of Bob and Mayella is questionable and does not match up with Tom’s testimony. “She [Mayella] is the victim of cruel poverty and ignorance….She did something every child has done- she tried to put the evidence of her offense away from her…What was the evidence of her offense? Tom Robinson, a human being.” Mayella lives in an unfortunate situation. Mayella made a mistake and is ashamed so she tried to cover it up. But her evidence of this mistake is Tom, a human. “Her father saw it, and the defendant [Tom] has testified to his remarks. What did her father do? We don’t know, but there is circumstantial evidence to indicate that Mayella Ewell was beaten savagely by someone who led almost exclusively with his left.” It is suggested that Bob, who is left-handed, beat Mayella. “The witnesses for the state [Bob and Mayella], have presented themselves to you gentlemen [the jury] with the confidence that their testimony would not be doubted, that you would go along with them on the assumption- the evil- assumption- that all Negroes lie, that all Negro men are not to be trusted around our women.” Bob and Mayella just assume the people and the jury will believe them. They believe that all Negroes are bad people and thought the jury would believe this too. “You know the truth, and this truth is this: some Negroes lies, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around women- black or white. But this truth applies to the human race and to no particular race of men.” But the truth is some Negroes are bad people just like some people are bad people. It’s not based on skin color. “In this country our courts are the great levelers, an in our courts all men are created equal. A court is only as sound as its jury, and a jury is only as sound as the men who make it up.” The court system should be blind to skin color; everyone should be treated equally in a court but it’s up to the jury. “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. In the name of God, do your duty. In the name of God, believe him.” Please come to a decision based on evidence and not personal opinion. I beg you, believe him!