Write a developed paragraph answering the following prompt:
Atticus says, "Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started this is no reason for us not to try to win" (101). What does he mean? Explain the significance of this statement. Use textual evidence from the novel to support your answer.
With the developed paragraph, I'd like you to use the ACES paragraph format.
A (1) an assertion (statement) or answer to a question in the first line. This is your “topic sentence.” Your other sentences will develop this main idea
C (2) at least one citation (quote) from a text you are reading and/or one or more comments on what you are discussing;
E (3) an explanation of or an elaboration on each citation or comment;
S (4) and a summary statement that wraps up your paragraph
Elizabeth
ReplyDeleteWhile talking to Scout about the Tom Robinson trial, Atticus tells her that, "Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win"(101). When he says this his is not just talking about the trial; he is making a bigger statement about fighting for your principles and about persevering to preserve your integrity. He doesn't just mean that black people's position in their society has been long predetermined, and that this case is unwinnable because of preexisting prejudice. He is saying that no matter what the obstacle is and no matter how unattainable, striving for what is right is a fight that should never be given up. Atticus says he agreed to defend Tom Robinson because, "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 event ell you or Jem not to do something again"(100). Atticus believes that if he doesn't do his duty as a lawyer, fulfill his civic responsibility, he will lose his respectability. In Atticus' eyes, giving up a this point would relinquish any standing he has established for himself. He would rather do what he thinks is right and have his name dragged through the mud by the rest of the town than give up his principles. He feels he would no longer be fit to teach or guide his own children if he gave up in the face of prejudicial opposition. Later, Scout proves his point. She feels much of the same need for honor and respectabililty. She tells her uncle, "tell you one thing right now, Uncle Jack, I'll be-I swear before God if I sit there and let him say something about Atticus"(114). She doesn't want anyone to challenge her family. She knows her father is a man of integrity and resents anyone saying that he isn't. Both Scout and Atticus value their principles above all else, are willing to fight to protect them, and don't feel bad about any harm that comes their way is it was inflicted in pursuit of what is right.
Insightful claim and effective use of evidence.
DeleteAtticus means by this quote that simply stating something, hence the term “Hold your head high and keep your fists down”, that he doesn’t want to get Scout in trouble, and wants her to act a little more mature, even if she is six. He also wants to teach her that he can do his job, no matter who the person is. He goes on a lot about his job (100) and tells Scout that if he didn’t help that man, he wouldn’t be able to speak to her or Jem again. So, to conclude this, I believe Atticus may believe in equality, or he may just want to do his job right to set a good example for his children. Atticus seems like a good person.
ReplyDelete-Michaela Kingsley
In the south when someone says they were licked it means hurt, or broken, or defeated badly. So when Atticus says, "Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started this is no reason for us not to try to win," he's telling Scout that there is more out there to work for. He's also saying that with school she can make something of herself and get out of Maycomb.
ReplyDelete-Ben Culp
“Atticus, are we going to win it?” “No, honey“ (101) Atticus knows he won't win, but he’s teaching scout to always try. “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win” (101). Atticus is stating they have been hurt before and there's no reason for them not to win this time. He wants scout to know if you try you might win. Taryn Horne
ReplyDeleteParagraph needs more detail and analysis.
DeleteWhen Atticus says to Scout, "Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started this is no reason for us not to try to win."(101) he isn't just referring to the Tom Robinson trial, he is giving her advice to not give up on her beliefs. He means you shouldn't let something that has been decided get in the way of your credence. Atticus mentions losing his respectability for himself if he didn't do what he thought was right, which in this case is defending Tom Robinson. "...if I didn't I couldn't hold up my head in town..."(100). By saying this Atticus means if he didn't defend this man as best he could he wouldn't feel he had done his job and that it would have shown little probity. Atticus wants to set a good example for his children, since there is little of it in Maycomb, he does so by helping a black man who is on the least popular side of a case.
ReplyDeleteWhen Atticus tells Scout "Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started this is no reason for us not to try to win" (101) he isn't specifically talking about the trial. He is telling her not to give up on her beliefs. He knows that he wont win the trial, but he is still going to do his best because it is his job and he knows that Tom Robinson is innocent. When Scout compares him to Cousin Ike Finch, a surviving confederate veteran, Atticus tells her "This time we aren't fighting the Yankees, we're fighting out friends. But remember this, no matter how bitter things get, they're still our friends and this is still our home." Scout doesn't see the point of being Tom's lawyer if he knows that he won't win. Atticus wants her to understand that it's the right thing for him to do. He wants Scout to grow up standing up for what she believes in and to be respectful.
ReplyDeleteSolid developed paragraph. Effective use of evidence and analysis to support claims.
DeleteTravis Crowley
ReplyDeleteThe quote that Atticus says “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started this is no reason for us not to try to win” means he realizes that Tom Robinson is innocent and that the court is going to be unjust and make Tom Robinson guilty when he obviously did nothing wrong. “The jury couldn’t possibly be expected to take Tom Robinson’s word over the Ewells’(117) those are Atticus’ words and he is directly stating that he knows Tom Robinson is an innocent man bound to be guilty. I think Atticus knows the way of the world and knows that this trial isn’t going to be a fair one but he still wants to try because it separates him from the majority that let’s this happen.
The hidden meaning of defeat is illustrated in this quote, “Atticus says, ‘Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started this is no reason for us not to try to win," (101). Currently the scene has been set around the Tom Robinson trial. Scout is having a difficult time understanding why Atticus is representing a man if he knows he is going to lose. By saying “Simply because we were licked...is no reason for us not to try to win,” (101) sends a powerful message to Scout. Atticus is trying to show his children that doing the right thing, defending the innocent until proven guilty, is not always the easy thing.Therefore stating that although previous times the county was defeated, licked, that doesn’t mean one cannot try to win.
ReplyDeleteSolid response and use of evidence.
DeleteColby Brown: This, to me is a very intelligent and thought provoking statement. I can infer that what he is saying is that no matter how long something has been going on, you must keep pushing forward. This means that if you have always been fighting for something never stop fighting for it. If you are sure you are fighting for a good cause. When they say this is the story they say this because it is very inspirational. This to me would be the equivalent of a very well given speech. Because to me a great speech can be only one word.
ReplyDeleteGood start. But need textual evidence to support claims.
DeleteThe quote that Atticus says “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started this is no reason for us not to try to win” means he thinks that Tom is innocent, but since he's from black ethnicity, that Atticus and Tom are already at a disadvantage, and that the court is going to be unjust and make Tom Robinson guilty because a white man's word at the time means much more than a black's. “The jury couldn’t possibly be expected to take Tom Robinson’s word over the Ewells’(117)
ReplyDeleteAndie Penna
ReplyDeleteWhen Atticus says, "Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started this is no reason for us not to try to win" (101), he means that despite the fact that there is an extremely high chance the jury will convict Tom Robinson, he is obligated to try. Atticus is a man of honor and integrity. He always tells his children to fight for the right thing. Even when there's a small chance of succeeding, Atticus preaches that you must do what's right. If he didn't fight for Tom Robinson, he would be going against all his beliefs about integrity, and making a hypocrite out of himself. He is determined to practice what he preaches. Atticus tells his kids if he didn't take the case, “I could never ask you to mind me again” (100). What he means is that his kids shouldn't have a hypocrite telling them what to do. Atticus’s meaning in both of these quotes is that he must take the case to uphold his integrity and respect, or Jem and Scout would have no reason to respect him anymore. In his eyes, a respectable man always combats injustice no matter the circumstance.