These articles concern the film To Kill a Mockingbird, based on the classic Harper Lee novel. While some provide background information on the Depression and racism to set the backdrop and atmosphere, the articles focus on the character Atticus Finch, and whether he should indeed be considered a paragon of the law profession. However, the information can be used for any paper regarding the classic film To Kill a Mockingbird.

Stone, Randolph. “Atticus Finch, in Context.” Michigan Law Review, Vol. 97, No. 6, 1999 Survey of Books Related to the Law. (May,         1999), pp. 1378-1381. 31 Mar. 2006.                                                                                                                                     <http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0026-2234%28199905%2997%3A6%3C1378%3AAFIC%3E2.0.CO%3B2-6>

            The author of this article takes offense to an argument written by Professor Lubet, who questions whether Atticus Finch is indeed a paragon of lawyers considering the possibility of Tom Robinson’s guilt. He points out that Robinson’s argument does not hinge on consent, because that would never work in 1930s Alabama, and therefore no sexual contact of any kind occurred. He compares the situation to that of Emmit Till, a boy who was murdered in 1955 for whistling at a white woman. Obviously, a consent argument would never pass.

            He goes on to assert that Atticus’s cross examination of Mayella was not torture of any kind, and he treated her with respect; considering her status in the community, the communities respect for her could not fall any lower. The prosecution, on the other hand, treated Tom Robinson cruelly and with racist overtones.

            The evidence that Tom Robinson committed the crime is very weak. Lubet feels that Atticus does not care about the truth, but only the victory; unlike Lubet, this author asserts that Atticus does believe Tom Robinson, or else he would have sought a plea bargain considering the high chance of failure with an all white jury. Regarding Lubet’s argument about Atticus’s tactics, this author brings up the themes of stereotypes and racism versus sexism. The author feels that racism is a much bigger issue, and Atticus Finch was far ahead of his time in his attitude.