The tragedy of Romeo and JulietEssay with critical lens Someone once said: "All literature shows us the power of emotions. It is emotion, not reason that motivates characters in literature." This means that all literature is an expression of emotion and it is the emotion that is the main character, and often also the setting and theme. It's not the reasoning within the story that draws you in, but rather the way the story deals with the emotions we've all felt. It gives us a possible scenario of the impact of focusing only on emotions and losing focus on reason. The power of emotions that drives literary characters to see through their emotions, makes us wish we could have such strong feelings for something or someone and the way we would all like to think we see through our emotions. Atticus Finch, from the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, and Romeo Montague from Shakespeare's play, The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, are both guided only by their emotions. Both are so driven to see their powerful emotions, no matter what may happen to them, that their emotions and the opposing emotions of everyone else around them become the main character, setting, and theme of these stories. Are you drawn to the emotion of wondering if I would have the courage to stand up to my racism-filled hometown to demand justice for a person of color like Atticus did in To Kill a Mockingbird? Could I be so in love, as Romeo was, that I was willing to give up everything I had, my family, my position in society, even my own life, for the love of another person? Atticus Finch, by Harper Lee The novel To Kill a Mockingbird bases all of his decisions and actions on the Tom Robinson trial, simply as a reaction to a powerful emotion. He first takes the case based on the racist emotional state of the city which condemns Tom Robinson primarily because he is black. Second, he is driven by his emotional belief that everyone receives due process and has the same access to justice, regardless of race. Atticus is fully aware of the racism that exists in his town, but he has not taken the time to consider that the violence and hatred of that racism can easily spill over onto him and his family..