Atticus Finch Conflicts

933 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Lessons to learn from killing a mockingbird

In individual’s lives, they may find that they will encounter difficulties that they will overcome to continue and be successful in life, may the struggle be with friends, family, work, and more. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, there is plenty of conflicts that occur. Scout Finch, Tom Robinson, and Atticus Finch are three characters that had plenty of conflicts in the novel that they had to attempt to surpass. When an individual is faced with adversity and hardships in their lives, then they should pursuit to strive to overcome their difficulties because that way they can try to be the finest selves that they can be for the future.

Scout Finch has many difficulties in the story she told, and attempts to overcome these hardships. …show more content…

Atticus is seen as a wise figure within some of the community of Maycomb and by his family as many of his teachings are moral and thoughtful. He was often claimed by Scout to have an “infinite capacity for calming turbulent seas” as he was so calm and “made rape cases as dry as a sermon.” claims Scout when talking about Atticus. This shows us that despite this rough case where Atticus is defending Tom Robinson, he still attempts to be a successful defendant because he is pursuing to be his best self for the sake of others. Subsequently later, Atticus talked and questioned Mayella Ewell about what happened with the situation with Tom Robinson and caused to her cry and deny further questions. This may have been seen by the reader as something positive for Atticus because it shows that her story may not be what correctly happened, but Scout explains “it gave no pleasure to Atticus who hurt Mayella”. This truly shows that despite wanting to win the case, Atticus still feels guilty about what he caused which shows his kindest self. As he wanted to be compassionate to others but still do his job and defend someone else he was lending a hand and being relied on. This hurts Atticus, yet he still needs to find himself get past the difficulties of his emotions. Finally, Atticus is seen talking to the members of the court about how he is “no idealist to believe in

Show More
Related

  • Tom Robinson Quotes In To Kill A Mockingbird

    164 Words  | 1 Pages

    Tom Robinson is a kind black man whom Atticus is defending against the charge that he raped Mayella Ewell. Atticus knows that he will lose because Tom is black, but he also knows that Tom is innocent and that he has to defend him. Tom Robinson is portrayed as a hard-working father and husband in the novel and he was only attempting to help Mayella since no one else would, but she made advances that he refused and her father saw them. On the witness stand, he testifies that he helped her because, "'Mr. Ewell didn't seem to help her none, and neither did the chillun.'" (256). Even though Tom helps Mayella out of kindness and pity, Mayella is trapped and must accuse him of raping her to save her own life. Shortly after being wrongfully convicted

    Read More

  • How Harper Lee makes Mayella Ewell a Vulnerable yet Contemptible Character in To Kill a Mockingbird

    929 Words  | 2 Pages

    With lots of children to take care of Mayella was only able to get two to three years of education and she had no friends. This is why when Atticus asks her about her friends she thinks he is making fun of her. After having to live a life like this we don?t know why Mayella would like to defend her hard-hearted father, but she probably did this because she was scared of what he would do to her if she told the truth. We feel sympathetic towards her at this point but there is still a sense of hatred towards her as she is letting an innocent person being jailed who actually helped her a lot when no one did.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Stereotypes In To Kill A Mockingbird

    1038 Words  | 3 Pages

    Mayella uses this case to cover up the shame in her life because she is extremely lonely, has no self-esteem, and overwhelmed with the amount of unhappiness in her life. Mayella gets extremely defensive in this quote because she knows that everything Atticus has brought up is good evidence and she can’t hold her own. In the jury, it was full of all white men. Mayella acted timid and helpless and suggested in her comment that the man of the jury be brave and heroic. She becomes someone who is vulnerable, valuable, and needs to be protected.

    Read More

  • To Kill A Mockingbird Sacrifice Analysis

    1533 Words  | 4 Pages

    Reassuring that Tom Robinson’s case is dealt seriously, Atticus exchanges his identity as the noble man he is for the reputation of a villain that the town flames and calls names such as “nigger lover”. Sacrificing Atticus’s identity does not give him much room to speak during the case, in fact, without his title as an intelligent, helpful, and wealthy citizen, the people of Maycomb could potentially harm Atticus, which forces him to take a slightly more cautious approach with the people of Maycomb. Concerned with the matter of how her father finds that his actions are right when the majority of the town finds it is wrong. Atticus then responds strongly to Scout, saying that he could not live with himself or tell her and Jem to do the right thing if he did not take the case seriously himself. Atticus’s identity sacrificed for the intention of saving his kids from “Maycomb's usual disease” which is racism.

    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

  • Decoding Symbolism and Prejudice in 'To Kill a Mockingbird'

    1551 Words  | 4 Pages

    Atticus was appointed to defend Tom Robinson in a court trial. Tom was a black man that was being incriminated for allegedly raping Mayella Ewell (Lee 86). Her father, Bob Ewell, accused Tom

    Read More

  • Theme Of Honesty In To Kill A Mockingbird

    1106 Words  | 3 Pages

    Lee uses Atticus’ good nature and respect for people to promote the theme; being strong in one 's beliefs and honest sets a good example for society: “‘First of all,’ he spoke, ‘if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you’ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view-,” (Lee 39) Atticus indicates. This quote shows how fair Atticus is, he try’s to understand other people in different situations. His advice is very true and is valid throughout the entire book, it could even be considered a theme on it’s own. Atticus’ quality of respect is very high and continues on into the trial further into the book which helps him during the case and helps Lee build to the theme: “‘Gentleman,’ he was saying ‘I shall be brief, but I would like to use my remaining time with you to remind you that this case is not a difficult one, it requires no minute sifting of complicated facts, but it does require you to be sure beyond all reasonable doubt as to the guilt of the defendant. To begin with, this case should never have come to trial. This case is as simple as black and white,” (Lee 271) Atticus voices in his final words at the trial. Lee uses Atticus’ powerful personality to express her views to the readers. In Maycomb no one ever did anything that was against the majority, so when

    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

  • 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 treats them as he treats everyone and how he would like to be treated. Atticus should defend Tom Robinson because he prides himself on following the Golden Rule, and if he does not defend Tom Robinson, he could not live with himself. Atticus tells Scout he would not be able to show his face in town if he does not defend Mr. Robinson because he would be going against everything he believes in for what others want him to do. The people of Maycomb trust Atticus to stand up for what is right when no one else has the courage. Miss Maudie says, "Whether Maycomb knows it or not, we're paying the highest tribute we can pay a man."...

    Read More

  • Similarities Between To Kill A Mockingbird And The Odyssey

    1596 Words  | 4 Pages

    Atticus was a man of strong morals and conscience and in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, had to overcome the backlash and hate from defending Tom Robinson. With what seemed to be the majority of Maycomb County against him and his own safety at stake, Atticus knew that he couldn’t win the trial. Yet accompanied by his rationality, good ethics and determination he overcomes the trial. It is not the desired ending, but for his efforts in the trial, Atticus gains the respect of the black community and the respect of others in Maycomb by following through and overcoming the challenges that followed the

    Read More

  • To Kill A Mockingbird Courage Essay

    833 Words  | 2 Pages

    Firstly, Atticus demonstrated mental courage when he undertook the task of defending Tom Robinson, a black man who was wrongly accused of rape, in court. He had to persevere through many hardships in order to make a statement in the community. Atticus knew he would not win the case against the all white jury and like Mrs. Dubose in her struggle against morphine, Atticus lost before he even began. Nevertheless, Atticus knew that Tom was innocent and was willing to stand up for him because nobody else would. Since Atticus stayed true to himself and did only what is morally correct, he fought this case with great determination. He wanted the people of Maycomb to know the truth about what happened to Mayella Ewell, but even the truth would not free Tom Robinson. "That boy might go to the chair, but he's not going till the truth's told." (Lee, 146) Atticus showed true courage in going against Maycomb, a mostly prejudice town. He was given names like “nigger lover” and was looked down upon heavily but that did not stop him. On the other hand, Mayella Ewell decided to lie about the case because othe...

    Read More

  • To Kill a Mockingbird - Equality

    618 Words  | 2 Pages

    Atticus is a good man, a just man. He upholds his morals, and judges by his conscience. He is shaken but not moved by the town of Maycomb in their gossip and hypocritical ways. When offered Tom's case, Atticus knows he will take it on. He won't just stand there with no proper defense for Tom, but he will let the truth be known, and prove that Tom is innocent. "...that boy might go to the chair, but he's not going till the truth's told."

    Read More

  • Examples Of Conflict In To Kill A Mockingbird

    980 Words  | 2 Pages

    Atticus went against mainstream societal beliefs to defend Tom Robinson. In the 1930s, defending an African American in court was considered to be socially unacceptable. It was not only widely accepted that no African American’s word would be taken to be against a white man’s but allowing an African American to be heard in a trial was considered completely outrageous. Therefore, the people of Maycomb scandalised at Atticus’s choice to defend Tom Robinson, creating a man vs society notion in the

    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

More about Atticus Finch Conflicts

Open Document