Compare And Contrast Gorbachev And Atticus

1021 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Liberalism and conservatism

Atticus and Gorbachev, Men who stood alone
Throughout history, in each era, countless numbers of brave and smart people. They bring change to the world, some improve the world around them while others stand up against inequality. Atticus Finch was a lawyer in the town of Maycomb, Alabama who fought and struggled for the rights of the African American society. Mikhail Gorbachev, the eighth and last leader of the Soviet Union , on the other hand, fought for greater freedom and human rights, liberating the people from the horrific legacies left behind by the former Reign of Terror of Stalin. And both, despite being opposed against by the majority, and were met with heavy resistance in their efforts, persevered and attempted the unthinkable in their …show more content…

Both Atticus and Gorbachev stood as symbols of change in a conservative society. Both are men with morals, courage, and selflessness.
Atticus was a lawyer in the county of Maycomb. He is a courageous and honorable man respected by most. Atticus took a case of an unfortunate young African American named Tom Robinson, accused of raping a white woman. And soon after, the town of Maycomb mocks and treats the Finches cruelly as seen by Cecil Jacobs publicly making fun of Atticus and saying “Scout Finch’s Daddy defended Negroes” (Lee 99)Such behavior can also be seen in many other characters. In their time, it is considered a dishonor to simply to defend a member of the African American race, however Atticus is a courageous man and proceeded to defend Tom Robinson in spite of the negative reaction from the town people. An example of Atticus’ morals can be shown in the instance when Atticus and Jack were conversing about the children. “Right. But do you think I could face my children otherwise?”(Lee 117), he is driven by the incentive of morals, that if he didn’t stand up against the challenge, he would lose the respect of his children. Atticus took the case of defending the young African American. “...Lemme

Show More
Related

  • Rise of Big Business and Organized Labor

    934 Words  | 2 Pages

    Henry Ford and Walter Reuther are two of the biggest names in the world of automobile industries and organized labor. They were both activists in their own way. Also, they were completely different from each other, one could even argue that they were opposites. Their ideas were contradicting, but still both of them had positive effects on society.

    Read More

  • Similarities Between The Crucible And To Kill A Mockingbird

    539 Words  | 2 Pages

    Atticus Finch is a lawyer and father of two children whose names are Jem and Scout. In the novel, Atticus chooses to defend a black man named Tom Robinson who is accused of raping a white woman, even though most of Maycomb is against Tom Robinson due to its racist time setting. He understood that racism was inhumane and innocent people must be defended no matter what race they are. Atticus holds his ground and tries his best to defend Tom Robinson in court, despite the community being against him. Atticus even reminds his children to steadfast during this time of challenge regardless of what other people tell them.

    Read More

  • Russia in the 1930s

    1648 Words  | 4 Pages

    In conclusion, many soviets citizens appeared to believe that Stalin’s positive contributions to the U.S.S.R. far outweigh his monstrous acts. These crimes have been down played by many of Stalin’s successors as they stress his achievements as collectivizer, industrializer, and war leader. Among those citizens who harbor feelings of nostalgia, Stalin’s strength, authority , and achievement contrast sharply with the pain and suffering of post-revolutionary Russia.

    Read More

  • Theme Of Heroism In To Kill A Mockingbird

    789 Words  | 2 Pages

    Atticus Finch shows, in many ways, the true definition of a hero, but no situation was more important than the Tom Robinson trial. In Maycomb, the thought of taking a negro’s word instead of a white man’s was ridiculous to the citizens, especially over a matter as serious as a black man raping a white woman. Regardless of this information, Atticus still takes on Tom Robinson’s case and tries to make as big of a difference as possible. When Scout asks him if he thinks that he will win the case, Atticus subtly replies “No, honey” (76). Atticus goes on to explain, “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try and win” (76). Basically, Atticus believes that just because it is unlikely that he will win, it does not mean that he should just give up without trying. Throughout all the discrimination, Atticus remains tough and tries to achieve his goal, no matter how hard it is. This was an example of moral courage. Even Scout knows how hard her father is trying by comparing Atticus’ efforts to “watching Atticus walk down the street, raise a rifle to his shoulder and pull the trigger, but...

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On To Kill A Mockingbird

    1561 Words  | 4 Pages

    When most people were against him and are trying to convince him not to, Atticus was determined to continue defending Tom Robinson (an African American who was accused of raping a white lady name Mayella Ewell - Mr. Ewell's daughter). (Make it active voice ?) Due to his good morals, Atticus felt like he needs to help Tom Robinson “This case, Tom Robinson’s case, is something that goes to the essence of a man’s conscience --- Scout, I couldn’t go to church and worship God if I didn’t try to help that man” (108). As addressed in To Kill a Mockingbird, Jim Crow laws manipulated individuals ethics to think that blaming African Americans is fine since all they do is not good (change the wordings). This type of discrimination made African American victims of jails and crimes that they did not even consider doing but were thought of doing because of racial segregation enforcement (popularity?) within the Southern society of the US. However, Atticus was different and believed that Tom robinson is innocent since he understood (understands?) how people discriminate others and was aware (is aware) of different types of prejudice (in that time period). So, due to Atticus’ good morals and values, he was willing to try his best to support the truth (who was right or something) and help Tom Robinson which makes him a great parent because (he is a person of morals?) of his good morals and values (delete morals and values?). Atticus (atticus’s ?) belief (of noting using one’s power to hurt each other … ?) that people should not harm each other should be admired. For instance, Miss Maudie (Atticus neighbour) was confirming to Scout that what Atticus said about Mockingbirds is right “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They

    Read More

  • Families In To Kill A Mockingbird

    656 Words  | 2 Pages

    He says “I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this country in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not do something again” (Lee 75). He states that he must represent the law no matter what downfall it has for his reputation. Atticus is older than most of the fathers in Maycomb, but follows different moral. He defends anyone regardless of their race or color. This shows how The Finches are well respected and applauded for being well-proper.

    Read More

  • How Does Atticus Show Integrity In To Kill A Mockingbird

    1025 Words  | 3 Pages

    In a racist town where people are overly judged based on rumors spread around. A man who has yet to be seen named Boo Radley is made into the town monster. Little do they know that Bob is one of the only people in Maycomb who does not judge people by their race. In the book “To Kill A Mockingbird” written by Harper Lee, the main character Atticus Finch is a lawyer in the little town of Maycomb. Atticus Finch the father of Scout and Jem has been faced with one of the hardest cases of his life. Atticus is forced to defend a black man named Tom Robinson on the fact that he raped a white girl named Mayella Ewell. Some people may argue that it does not make sense for Atticus to take a stand to defend Tom Robinson, because he will lose his trust

    Read More

  • Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird

    876 Words  | 2 Pages

    Firstly, Atticus Finch acts justly, fairly, and always helps others who need it. One of his clients, Mr. Cunningham, pays Atticus in entailment. Scout asks her brother, Jem what the meaning of paying in entailment is, “Jem described it as a condition of having your tail in a crack … one morning Jem and I found a load of stovewood in the back yard … Mr. Cunningham had more than paid him” (Lee 20-21). Atticus believes that no one should get any disadvantages because of one’s lower financial state. He shows justice by allowing Mr. Cunningham to pay him in different sources other than money. Also, Atticus is a very wise man. He talks to his daughter with full empathy and understanding to try and help her. When Scout is complaining about her teacher’s attitude towards her, Atticus gives her great advice that, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view … until you climb into his shoes and walk around it” (30). He is teaching Scout to be just. He tells her to look at things from a different perspective and notice the difference from hers to someone else’s. Similarly, Atticus who is a white lawyer takes on a case of a black man, Tom Robinson. Therefore, Scout is made fun of for having her father d...

    Read More

  • Stalin Vs. Hitler

    2651 Words  | 6 Pages

    Josef Stalin, a politician from the earliest beginnings of his life, strove to achieve a national sense of power during his reign over the citizens of Russia. Adolf Hitler, however, a born high school dropout somewhat longed for a place in life. He rather fell into his role as a politician, after his brief shortcomings in arts and sciences. These two individuals developed varying ideas to put their controlling minds to work to lead their political parties in the direction of total domination of the state.

    Read More

  • Legacy and Leadership: Mikhail Gorbachev

    1289 Words  | 3 Pages

    Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev showed legacy and leadership when he launched a program of political, economical, and social reform for the Soviet Union. He changed and influenced many people lives positively with his reformations, and started a “revolution” that later seemed to get out of his grasp, causing the end of the Soviet Union.

    Read More

  • Respect in To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

    485 Words  | 1 Pages

    Atticus demonstrates his character by defending Tom Robinson. Atticus leads by example, showing the highest respect for everyone in Maycomb, not discriminating by color or class. His serious defense for Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman, proves his high ideals. Atticus fights a hopeless battle against the racism in the town. Atticus not only shows his non prejudice through the trial of Tom Robinson, but also through his everyday dealings with Calpurnia. Atticus refutes Aunt Alexandra persistent attempts to fire Cal and claims that she is one of the family.

    Read More

  • c

    659 Words  | 2 Pages

    Atticus should not give up his character, parental authority, and position in town to please the racist beliefs of others in Maycomb. Atticus cannot stand racism and says, "As you grow older, you'll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don't you forget it—whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash. " Atticus should take a stand and defend Tom Robinson, to treat his children with valuable lessons and to keep his conscience clean. For these reasons, it does make sense for Atticus Finch to defend Tom Robinson in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

    Read More

  • Leon Trotsky Essay

    895 Words  | 2 Pages

    This statement is extremely accurate in relation to Leon Trotsky. Trotsky, as recognized by Lenin in his last will and testament, was the most talented man in the committee to take the highest office, and yet in hindsight historians ‘cannot conceive how he would be in a position to do so’ (Pipes) . Despite Trotsky possessing talent and ability to lead as demonstrated in his career as Commissar of War where he won the Order of the Red Flag , his political position limited his influence in the power struggle between himself and Stalin. Moreover, Trotsky lacked the public image Stalin had, ‘he lost to the man with a superior understanding of Soviet public life”(Service) . Thus, it is these factors of an individual’s political role and public image that take priority over deciding party leadership rather then ability of talent as a politician.

    Read More

  • Theme of Courage in To Kill A Mocking Bird

    792 Words  | 2 Pages

    Atticus was incredibly courageous taking on tom Robinsons case against the prejudice of Macomb County and he shows incredible courage when he says, "Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try and won." He wants the people of Maycomb to hear the truth about Tom Robinson, "That boy may go to the chair, but he's not going till the truth's told." Chapter 15, Page 146. He was against the whole white community including his own sister practically said that he was a disgrace to his family Atticus tells scout when she asks him why he is taking the case he says "For a number of reasons. 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.

    Read More

  • Who Is Lenin A Revolutionary Leader

    428 Words  | 1 Pages

    Lenin was considered one of the foremost revolutionary leaders of the 20th century. Lenin was portrayed as a ruthless and cruel leader, but it was Lenin’s clarity of vision would ultimately guide the Bolsheviks to power. His vision of the future for Russia and the USSR was not so clear. Although he was a revolutionary leader he was not a politician, and his legacy would contribute to the political and ideological, division that led the

    Read More

More about Compare And Contrast Gorbachev And Atticus

Open Document