To Kill A Mockingbird Jury Analysis

American novelist Harper Lee in her novel To Kill a Mockingbird wrote, “I'm no idealist to believe firmly in the integrity of our courts and in the jury system—that is no ideal to me, it is a living, working reality. Gentlemen, a court is no better than each man of you sitting before me on this jury. A court is only as sound as its jury, and a jury is only as sound as the men who make it up.” I had nervously opened the envelope with “Official Jury Summons” stamped on the outside many times before the autumn of 2014, however, up until that point, I had been lucky and avoided selection. My once thriving town was beginning to feel the consequences of a declining economy and increased poverty. My fellow citizens walked the streets with an almost …show more content…
Only mere hours ago we were leading separate lives, and now we were to come together and choose a leader. The men and women around the table were each feeling the same sense of dread. The words “Please, don’t pick me!” were figuratively written on a bubble above everyone’s head. As I gazed upon this collection of strangers, I began to feel empathetic. Each of us knew the weight of this responsibility, yet none of us wanted to take it. Suddenly, as if someone else took control of my voice, I said confidently, “I’ll do it.” It was at that moment that God gave me the confidence to overcome my …show more content…
I spoke with authority as I reviewed the evidence. As I handed out the voting ballots, I realized that I had transformed from a nervous observer into a poised and confident leader. One last obstacle presented itself when one of the members got cold feet. “I can’t do it!” she said. “I can’t look him in the eye and find him guilty.” Eleven sets of anxious eyes glared at me as I put my hands on her slouching shoulders. The situation needed a remedy, and it was clear that I was in charge of providing it. I reminded her of the victims and of the trauma they had suffered. I recited the words of the judge’s instructions regarding our duty to justice and the law. None of us wanted to deliver this life-altering news. However, as her leader, I assured her that together we could find the strength to do