Atticus Finch is a well-rounded and respected resident of Maycomb County, Alabama. In the book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus takes on the duty of being an attorney and a single father of two adventurous children. He believes in equality among races, although a lot of Maycomb County’s white community thinks they are high and mighty compared to the black folk. In a time of injustice, Atticus represents an innocent black man accused of rape making him respected among the black community. At home, Atticus taught his children important life lessons about equality and putting yourself in someone else’s shoes. This character represents the importance of morality and reasonability. Throughout the novel, Atticus has very good morals and In the time that this novel takes places, the black community was seen as lower than the white community. Although Atticus was white, he believed in equality and was the lawyer for a black man accused of rape and abuse named Tom Robinson. Atticus taught Scout and Jem about how it was wrong the kill a mockingbird because they’ve caused no harm. Tom Robinson is a mockingbird to Atticus, so he stands up for what he believes in. It was apparent to Atticus that they would rule Tom guilty. Although the verdict turned out to be guilty, Atticus knew that Judge Taylor and others in the courthouse knew that the Ewell family were lying, and had hope that Tom would be able to get released from jail despite the color of his skin. Another example of when Atticus showed optimism was after the trial when Bob Ewell spat on Atticus. Others were shocked by this occurrence, but Atticus told them that he accepted it. Atticus could’ve easily gotten revenge on Bob, but instead he said, “He had to take it out on somebody and I’d rather it be me than that houseful of children out there.” (Lee, 1960, p. 293). Atticus knew the types of things that Bob Ewell did to his children at home, so he let him spit on him in hopes that he wouldn’t harm his children. Atticus’s optimism shows what a caring father and all around person he In every situation Atticus would be truthful, no matter what or who it would hurt. In the courthouse, both Mayella and Tom Robinson had sworn to tell the truth, and nothing but the truth. It was clear that Mayella was lying about what happened the day of the alleged assault, but Atticus made sure that Tom told the truth about everything that happened because he knew in the end, the truth always prevails. A tremendous example of Atticus’s honesty was the night his children were attacked by Bob Ewell. When Heck Tate arrived at the Finch residence, he delivered the news that Bob Ewell had been stabbed and was laying under a tree, dead. This brought Atticus to the conclusion that his son, Jem had killed Bob Ewell, based on the story Scout told him. Atticus thought that Jem had gotten a hold of Bob’s knife while they were fighting and stabbed him, but Heck Tate said Bob Ewell had fallen on his own knife. Atticus thought that Heck Tate was trying to cover for Jem, which he appreciated, but he didn’t want Heck Tate to cover up for Jem. Atticus said to Heck, “I’m sorry if I spoke sharply, Heck, but nobody’s hushing this up. I don’t live that way.” (Lee, 1960, p. 365). From what he thought, Atticus didn’t even want to protect his own son from the law and potential consequences if it meant he wouldn’t show honesty. This goes to show just how strongly Atticus stands by his
Atticus Finch is a very essential character in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. He is not only the father on Jem and Scout, but he is also defending Tom Robinson. Along with all of the obstacles and challenges that Atticus faces he is still an exceptional role model for the children. He also overcomes the diversity of Negroes and whites that is displayed during his time by standing up and fighting for Tom Robinson and his triumph in court against Bob Ewell. Lee presents Atticus Finch as understanding of Tom Robinson, caring with the children, and calm throughout the Tom Robinson trial.
Atticus Finch is the most significant character, in To Kill a Mockingbird, who challenges racial prejudice as he does not follow the norms, in Maycomb, of being racially prejudice towards others. At first, Atticus Finch is reluctant to take on Tom Robinson’s case; however in the end, he willingly accepts. Unlike the majority of Maycomb residents, Atticus is not racist and makes no distinction upon race, he sees Negroes, just like Tom Robinson, as the same equality as any other person in the Maycomb community. For this reason, he believes they should be trea...
Atticu Finch is one of they key characters in the book who leads by example and shows what courage is. In chapter nine, Atticus takes a case to defend a Negro who has been accused of raping Bob Ewell’s daughter Mayella444. Atticus, the father of main characters Scout and Jem Finch, loves and cares for his children, although since the children’s mother passed away when they were at a young age, Atticus is not always sure of how to fill her role. In chapter thirteen, Aunt Alexandra stays with the Finch family so that she can help them if anything happens while Atticus defends the black man, Tom Robinson. Atticus has always been respected in the town of Macomb, until he takes the Robinson case, which leads to controversy within his friends and his family. On several different instances, the towns people tried to convince him not to, and o...
Atticus Finch is a character of stability in an unstable society. He is a balanced figure who is able to cope with the unreasonable and highly emotional town in which he lives. He can manage the prejudiced white masses and still deal justly with the underprivileged Negro population of Maycomb. He is one of the few people who understand the individual worth of a person regardless of the color of his/her skin. This enables him to defend Tom Robinson based solely on the concept of justice and equality. In his closing argument, Atticus explains that, “there is one place all men are created equal. That place is in a court room” (Lee 205). This justifies the fact that Atticus believes in equality in a society, the equality not only of race, but also of sex, class, and religion as well. His view of equality and justice is a symbol of his own psychological stability throughout the novel. Accordingly, in the final analysis of the story, Atticus represents the “justice” in the community of Maycomb. His stability throughout the book is one of the many characteristics that depict Atticus Finch as the novel’s core.
When people think about heros it is a person in a cape flying into burning buildings to save people or fighting a villain to save the world. According to Oxford Dictionary a hero is a person who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. This shows how just normal people can be qualified as heros. A book that exemplifies this is To Kill A Mockingbird because it is filled with people that went out of their way to help others or the society as a whole. A person who did this in particular was Atticus Finch. Atticus Finch was a hero because he fell under the definition and was admired for his courage, achievements, and noble qualities.
Yet he took the case with no hesitation. Atticus knows the difference between what is fair and what is true justice. He is well aware that whites and blacks have many differences with one another, but is also educated enough to know that there truly is no diversity in equity, and tries to teach everyone including his children this. ”You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view- until you climb into his skin and walk around it.(30)” Atticus is encouraging Scout to respect everyone and consider their true potential without considering false accusations in this quote. He applies what he teaches to his children to the people attending the Tom Robinson trial. Atticus is just one man, but with an unprecedented amount of sense of pride, intelligence, and justice. He reflects the image of the town’s people by showing them what they’ve allowed themselves to become based on their beliefs. He genuinely expresses their deepest consternation. In this quote he tells the audience what they are afraid to hear, but need to hear, “She was white, and she tempted a Negro. She did something that in our society is unspeakable: she kissed a black man. Not an old uncle, but a strong young Negro man. No code mattered to her before she broke it, but it came crashing down on her afterwards.(272)” After stating his point and releasing the profound truth Atticus causes for Mayella and Bob Ewell to lose their composure. Nevertheless people of most of the white people of Maycomb continue to refuse to believe that a white woman kissed a black man. But they undoubtedly believe that a black man with a useless left hand beat and raped an “innocent” white woman. Atticus could have predicted the outcome from before he even took the case and refused to defend Tom Robinson. But he
Few people are the same as they are on the street in their homes. Few people can treat others equally; no matter what colour their skin is. Atticus Finch is one of those precious few. Racism in the town of Maycomb is nothing but disguised by the polite smiles and ladies missionary meetings; although it is the strongest belief that each person of the town holds apart from some such as Atticus. Racism is an issue of great importance, yet to the eye of a visitor waltzing through, it's just a slight whisk of air.
Intro: In the To Kill A Mockingbird novel by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch is a well-respected man through the city of Maycomb. He is a highly praised figure who is trusted, wise and grateful, but is also a man who is respected by his companions and other residents. This is shown when Atticus is given responsibilities and duties, when he is praised for his efforts and when he obtains the black peoples and white peoples respect at the same time.
Since the beginning, Atticus was pictured as an adequate father figure who treated "[his children] with courteous detachment" (6). He never was very emotional, always collected and patient. Though his children believe he acted accordingly simply because he was old and feeble, the further you read into his character you find that he has always had this sense of justice and honor. While most of the novel revolves around Tom’s trial, Atticus faced challenges within himself before he took the case. Despite the fact that he was aware that he would not win “simply because [they] were licked a hundred years before [they] started” (76), he proceeded to defend Tom. Though many people found this act questionable and even infuriating, it was simple to decide when it came down to Atticus ' values. He humbly did not see why the color of someone 's skin should be able to convict them. As a lawyer, he fought against truth and lie and immediately knew that his soon to be client, Tom Robinson, was indeed telling the truth. By taking the case, Atticus held true to his former beliefs. He simply was not willing to give away any part of himself in order to please his community. Additionally, Atticus decides to invest himself in the case because of the example he wanted to make for his young children. Atticus reasoned with Scout that he couldn’t face them, or “couldn’t even tell [her] or Jem not to do something again” (75), if he weren 't to go to trial with Tom. Atticus addresses this idea because he understands that him not taking this case, and going against everything he’s ever stood for, could not make a good example for his kids. If he expects them to have value and structure in their life, he must be their coach. Evident throughout the novel, he teaches honesty and equality to both Jem and Scout. Granted that he would later face hatred
When Atticus took the case of Tom Robinson, He realized it was a difficult decision but he was up for the challenge. Tom, the man that got accused of rape had a bad reputation in the trial because he was black. even though him being from a different race didn’t bother Atticus at all. Scout finds out he is innocent once she sees all the proof and evidence that Atticus had to defend Tom. Atticus knew it wasn’t going to be easy to take the case, but what motivated him was because he knew it would be worth it by using it to give his kids a life lesson. When Atticus said “I’m simply defending a negro his name’s Tom Robinson.” It showed that he is not a judgemental person and hopes to pass it on to his kids.
First of all, he decided to take Tom’s case even though he knew many people would despise him, for defending a black man. “All around us and in the balcony on the opposite wall, the Negroes were getting to their feet” (Lee 211). Atticus used all the courage he had to fight for Tom. Even though Atticus lost the case, and Tom was found guilty, the African Americans that were at the courthouse were very grateful for his willingness to try as hard as he could, despite the circumstances. They stood up in respect as a way to thank him. As mentioned earlier, Atticus went to the jail to help guard Tom (In) against a lynch mob. “You know what we want,’ another man said.’ Get aside from the door, Mr.Finch” (Lee 151). Even though Atticus knew it would be risky, he went right in front of (Prep) the jail to guard the door. These men could have easily hurt him if they wanted. Using his courage (Part), Atticus did not fight back against the mob or at Mr. Ewell when he confronted him and spat on him. Only certain people have the level of courage as Atticus does. Scout and Jem are lucky to have Atticus as their
Atticus Finch is a fictional character in author Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird and he is a resident of Maycomb County, Alabama. In the story he is the most important character, and his relationships with characters are key to understanding To Kill A Mockingbird. Atticus is a lawyer and a father, he is the father of two other major characters in the book Jeremy “Jem” Finch and Jean Louise “Scout” Finch. He defends Tom Robinson, a black man who is wrogfully accused of a rape that never took place. The case is very controversial, and it ends up being more about Mr.Robinson’s race than his innocence. Through out the book, we meet more residents of Maycomb, and notice their relationship with Atticus.
Compassionate, dramatic, and deeply moving, Harper Lee's, To Kill a Mockingbird takes readers to the roots of human behavior, to innocence and experience, kindness and cruelty, love and hatred, and the struggle between blacks and whites. Atticus Finch, a lawyer and single parent in a small southern town in the 1930's, is appointed by the local judge to defend Tom Robinson, a black man, who is accused of raping a white woman. Friends and neighbors object when Atticus puts up a strong and spirited defense on behalf of the accused black man. Atticus renounces violence but stands up for what he believes in. He decides to defend Tom Robinson because if he did not, he would not only lose the respect of his children and the townspeople, but himself as well.
Atticus Finch represents a strongly principled, liberal perspective that runs contrary to the ignorance and prejudice of the white, Southern, small-town community in which he lives. Atticus is convinced that he must instill values of equality in his children, counteracting the racist influence. Lee makes use of several images and allegories throughout the novel to symbolize racial conflict. The children's attitudes about Boo, for example, represent in small scale the foundation of racial prejudice in fear and superstition. The rabid dog that threatens the town has been interpreted as symbolizing the menace of racism. Atticus's shooting of the rabid dog has been considered by many critics as a representation of his skills as an attorney in targeting the racial prejudices of the town.
First, the trial of Tom Robinson is an eye-opening experience for Jem and Scout; there they discover hatred, child abuse, and lying. Seeing pure hate is new and strange for Jem and Scout. They know that prejudice does exist, but listening to and watching Bob Ewell during the trial is astounding to them because Bob Ewell abhors all blacks, especially Tom Robinson. Bob’s daughter, Mayella, makes an advance on Tom, which is absolutely unspeakable and shameful at that time. In addition, Bob Ewell’s hate grows (especially for Atticus) because after the trial his reputation and respect is ruined, even though he does not have a high degree of integrity to begin with. Also, through the