Complete the reflective log
assignment titled, "To Kill a Mockingbird" in the textbox at the top
of p. 177. Be sure to follow the instructions provided in the textbox.
Use this link to access the
video:
Gregory Peck plays the defense attorney Atticus Finch in the film To Kill a Mockingbird. The story is
about a young man accused of rape. In this clip, Atticus Finch is giving his
summation to the jury. He must be careful not to alienate the members of the
jury, whom he regards as potentially biased against the defendant. Atticus
first argues that the prosecution has not proved that a crime was actually committed.
He then claims that the accused, Tom Robinson, could not physically have done
the things that the prosecution claims. Atticus, believing that he must do more
than make claims and logical arguments establishing reasonable doubt, then
addresses a key question. Why would the accuser have lied about being raped by
the accused? Atticus says he has pity for the victim and then he argues that by
accusing Tom Robinson, she was attempting to rid herself of her own guilt. The
defense then attempts to challenge the prejudicial assumption: All Negros are
to be distrusted. Watch scene 28, "The Broken Code" (time code
1:31:40 to 1:38:55). Listen carefully to the claims and arguments made by
Atticus Finch. Transcribe them, use the techniques in Chapter 5 to analyze and
map them, and, using what you learned in Chapters 7 and 8, evaluate them.
Explain your analysis and your evaluation. Would you have made the summation
differently? If so, how?
