examples of antithesis in atticus closing argument

The sentence "this case is as simple as black and white" strikes the reader with its symbolic features. Written by the MasterClass staff. Atticus, Atticus lives by a code: let your conscience be your guide. In this excerpt from his poem "Four Quartets," T.S. The two characters are shown as opposites . has had to put his word against two white people. Here are some examples of antithesis used in everyday speech: Go big or go home. In the town of Maycomb, racism and prejudice are so deeply ingrained in society, they impact every aspect of daily life, including the justice system and ones right to a fair and equal trial. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men. Some of these elements used symbolisms and allusions. Explain. Comic book writers know the power of antithesis too! Tom Robinson was her daily reminder of what she did. One tool used often in literature and politics is called antithesis. When Atticus is asked to defend Tom Robinson, a Negro man accused of raping a white girl, he accepts. In this tumultuous era, where the differences between the haves and the have-nots was at its starkest, Dickens illustrates the antithetical concepts that existed simultaneously: Rhetorical Analysis of Atticus Finch's Closing Statement (Movie Version) To Kill a Mockingbird is known to many as one of the best pieces of American literature. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. Atticus Finchs closing argument in the trial of Tom Robinson, from Harper Lees classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird (1960). . Introduction During closing argument, the attorney has the opportunity to address each issue that the jury must decide and persuade the jury that he has the winning side of that issue Closing argument allows the attorney to reach depth in discussion of the issues, which is necessary to reaching the truth. (Neil Armstrong, 1969) In this example, Armstrong is referring to man walking on the moon. One tool used often in literature and politics is called antithesis. Tom Robinson, a human being What did she do? His use of empathy created a deep understanding of Tom, the defendant's, situation. The most ridiculous example I can think of is that the people who run public education promote the stupid and idle along with the industriousbecause all men are created equal, educators will gravely tell you, the children left behind suffer terrible feelings of inferiority. This contrast can serve a number of purposes, as shown in the examples above. In the famous opening lines of A Tale of Two Cities, Dickens sets out a flowing list of antitheses punctuated by the repetition of the word "it was" at the beginning of each clause (which is itself an example of the figure of speech anaphora). The antithesis of everything about her quite little life. Parallelism is an important part of antithesis. Atticus Finch having lived in this culture during this time of segregation also gives him a sense of what Tom Robinson and his audience was feeling. Harper Lee, wrote Finch as a character who defends Tom Robinson in a criminal trial. The English language is full of literary devices that can enliven your writing. Bright Southern Center for Human Rights 83 Poplar Street, N.W., Atlanta, GA 30303-2122 (404) 688-1202 ! Struggling with distance learning? Logos The state has not produced one iota of medical evidence to the effect that the crime Tom Robinson is charged with ever took place. We dont know, but there is circumstantial evidence to indicate that Mayella Ewell was beaten savagely by someone who led most exclusively with his left. Atticus used ethos to demonstrate his credibility and reveal his opinion about this case. Logos: by appealing to an audience's sense of reason . She has committed no crime, she has merely broken a rigid and time-honoured code of our society, a code so severe that whoever breaks it is hounded from our midst as unfit to live with. observing correct grammar and parallelism, in order to achieve the ultimate contrasting effect. Which, gentlemen, we know is in itself a lie as black as Tom Robinsons skin, a lie I do not have to point out to you, some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around womenblack or white. Another encounter that the. .there's circumstantial evidence to indicate that Mayella Ewell was beaten savagely by someone who led most exclusively with his left. A common syntax throughout the piece is the word "negro". Definition of Antithesis. Even though Atticus showed courage in helping Tom, people could not take a black person's word over a white's. That institution, gentlemen, is a court. Students will complete a graphic organizer to track and analyze Atticus' use of ethos, pathos, and logos. The arbitrator stated that he thought this was a convincing closing argument so we have provided it to you as an example. "The tree is as heavy as you are, Jem." He asserts . Happy woman eating a cotton candy and Businessman crying in rain as Antithesis examples. That is, a butterfly is light and airy while a . For the closing statement of Atticus was moving speech that could not determine the fate of Tom Robinsons verdict. When in a courtroom, people must take a vow to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. The following is a good example of both antithesis and parallelism: To err is human, to forgive divine. I do my best to love everyone Im hard put sometimes - baby, its never an insult to be called a name that somebody thinks is a bad name (144). The use of parallelism and other simple grammatical constructions like "either/or" help to establish opposition between conceptsand opposites have a way of sticking in the memory. This is an antithesis example because there is the contrast between the animals and their actions (the peaceful floating butterfly versus the aggressive stinging bee) combined with the parallel grammatical structure of similes indicated by "like a." . Recently, Mayella Ewell is on trial prosecuting Tom Robinson on charges of rape. Likewise, counsel in closing argument must not appeal to the jury's economic fears and passions. He states a court is only as good as the members of the jury. Closing Statement Techniques, Quote, and Effe, To Kill a Mockingbird Student Workbook Chapte, myPerspectives, English Language Arts, Grade 8, myPerspectives: English Language Arts, California (Grade 9, Volume 1), SpringBoard English Language Arts: Grade 10, SpringBoard English Language Arts: Grade 11. Definition and Examples of Antithesis as a Literary Device. The Opening Statement lays out what each side intends to prove; the closing . Convey magnitude or range (i.e. Tom Robinson, a young black man accused of raping a white woman, will be judged by a court whose deep-rooted racism impels them to avert their eyes from the truth. A court is only as sound as its jury, and a jury is only as sound as the men who make it up. (274) Here is an excellent example of Mr. Finch and how he marries sweet talk with ethos. He also says that we would not feel protected without guns. She was white and she tempted a Negro. Heres a quick and simple definition: Antithesis is a figure of speech that juxtaposes two contrasting or opposing ideas, usually within parallel grammatical structures. examples of antithesis in atticus closing argumentupgrading kramer baretta specialupgrading kramer baretta special He uses figurative language when he says This case is as simple as black and white. Basically, he points out that there's no evidence and that the prosecution is banking on the stereotype that all African-Americans are immoral liars who rape white women whenever they get the chance. Example 3. Each uses a verb followed by a simile. In chapter 20, Atticus makes his closing speech and challenges the jury to look past their prejudice and judge the case fairly on the evidence provided. This is an antithesis example because there is the contrast between the animals and their actions (the peaceful floating butterfly versus the aggressive stinging bee) combined with the parallel grammatical structure of similes indicated by "like a." rhetorical question (A question that is asked for the sake of argument.) Antithesis works best when it is used in conjunction with. Walking south one faced its porch; the sidewalk turned and ran beside the lot. Fiendfyre, for example," he nodded at me, "feeds off the emotion of hate and will not work if the feeling is not sufficiently strong, thus part of why it is . Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. One example of the diction is: "The Radley Place jutted into a sharp curve beyond our house. Then he took of his glasses and wiped them, and we saw another first: we had never seen him sweathe was one of those men whose faces never perspired, but now it was shining tan. Atticus Finch begins his closing statement with his claim "to begin with, this case should have never come to trial. Students will have 7 minutes to find 2 examples of Ethos, 2 examples of Pathos, and 2 examples of Logos within the speech, as well as many rhetorical devices as you can find 10 minutes - I will then have the groups . As you read, color-code the times when he clearly uses ethos, pathos, and logos. Spicy food is heaven on the tongue but hell in the tummy. Atticus Closing Argument Worksheet. The quote just stated is saying, Jem was angry by the verdict, Atticus tells him that the people will continue to do it, more and more. Examples of Antithesis in Literature 1. Get a quick-reference PDF with concise definitions of all 136 Lit Terms we cover. (Goethe) "Everybody doesn't like something, but nobody doesn't like Sara Lee." Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. Second, the contracting elements of a butterfly and a bee seem contradictory. Posted on . In contrast, antithesis does not usually use two contrasting words next to one another. What is antithesis? It illustrates most of the points raised in later sections. We are looking at an innocent man here, one whom the prosecution has not conjured up enough evidence to make this man guilty. Name four key points of Atticus' closing arguments. This principle seems to guide Atticus's commitment to doing right even when there is no hope of success. Atticus' Closing Remarks Essay. Antithesis is used in everyday speech, novels, poems, short stories, plays, and more.The rhetorical device can be used in very different ways in order to achieve varied outcomes.. Antithesis (ann-TIH-thuh-suhs), put simply, means the absolute opposite of something. 9.02 EXAMPLE OF A CLOSING ARGUMENT The following example should give you a feeling for the scope and structure of a closing argument. By building up this list of contrasts, Dickens sets the scene of the French Revolution that will serve as the setting of his tale by emphasizing the division and confusion of the era.