To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird is novel telling the story of the Finch family during one of the most difficult summers of their lives. Atticus Finch takes on the case of Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman. It is an extremely controversial case and Atticus knows from the start that he will not win. Atticus also knows that taking this case will also bring on a storm of hatred and ill feelings onto him and his family. Despite this fact, Atticus made a choice that he knew would change his life forever. Atticus explains to Scout on why he decided to take the case:" The main one is, if I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this county in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again. Because I could never ask you to mind me again. Scout, simply by the nature of the work, every lawyer gets at least one case in his lifetime that affects him personally. This one’s mine, I guess," Atticus makes the decision to defend Tom Robinson because there is no other choice for him. If he rejects the case then he loses everything he stands for and believes in. Although Atticus could lose his standing and his safety, it is more important to stand up for the truth. This case is a test of how tightly Atticus will hold onto his morals in any circumstances. When he takes on this case he knows that there will be trouble that will affect him and his entire family. Throughout the entire novel   Atticus constantly makes the choice to stand up for truth and integrity despite the world telling him to give up on what he believes in.