Atticus Finch Forgiveness

In literature, there is often a character that serves as a role model for the reader. In To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, that character is Atticus Finch. He is disrespected by a racist society, yet remains forgiving to those that insult him, and teaches his children to do the same. Through the character of Atticus, Harper Lee conveys that forgiveness requires emotional control, but can prevent unnecessary conflict within a community.

Mrs. Dubose, who lived down the street from Atticus, often yelled insults at his children when they walked by. One day, she criticized Atticus for defending a black man in court. This finally put Jem over the edge, and he sought revenge by ruining her flowers. When Atticus learned what had happened, he explained to Jem that “she’s old and ill. You can’t hold her

On the day before the trial, the man Atticus was defending was transferred to the county jail. He was despised by most of Maycomb because of his skin color, and a group of men tried to kill him that night. Fortunately, Atticus had anticipated this, and was prepared to stop them. Scout, who had witnessed the incident, was shocked to see Mr. Cunningham, her friend’s father, among the group of men. Atticus explained to her that “‘Mr. Cunningham’s basically a good man,’ he said, ‘he just has his blind spots along with the rest of us’” (210).

Tom Robinson, a black man, was accused by Mr. Ewell of raping his daughter. During the trial, Atticus was trying to prove that it was in fact Mr. Ewell that hit her. Although Tom was found guilty by the jury, Atticus had made it clear what actually happened. When Mr. Ewell confronted him afterwards, Jem was concerned. Atticus was not, however, and asked his son to “stand in Bob Ewell’s shoes a minute. I destroyed his last shred of credibility at that trial, if he had any to begin with. The man had to have some kind of comeback, his kind always does”