A Ripple of Hope

"Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a ripple of hope . . . and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy . . . [theyl build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance."
- - - - - Robert F. Kennedy

Atticus Finch, the small town lawyer of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, is a character who certainly stands up for his idea1s and tries to fight injustlce.

1.) What evidence does Miss Maudie point to in order to show Jem that Atticus, although he has lost the case, has made a tiny inroad against local prejudice?

2.) What does she say is the reason Atticus was selected to defend Tom Robinson?

3.) Think about the real men and woman you have read about this year . To which of these people might this quote also apply?

Last revised: September 14, 1997 MAIL

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