Atticus Finch is a brilliant character who takes a huge stand in Harper Lee’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird.’ The book is based in the 1930’s from a little girl named Jean Louise’s point of view, though people call her Scout. The section of the book being discussed is her father Atticus taking a stand and defending a Negro man named Tom Robinson against the white trash Ewell family. It makes sense for him to take this stand for more reasons than one. It makes sense because of this man’s brave, selfless character. In chapter one it is said that Atticus paid for his brothers education for medical school. “For several years thereafter he invested his earnings in his brother’s education.” Pg, 5. This reflects his selflessness, most people wouldn’t do that. Especially in this setting and time period. In chapter 15, Atticus leaves the house late at night to keep Tom Robinson safe from the mob made up of the people of Maycomb. ““I’m going out for a while,” he said. “You folks’ll be in bed when I come back so I’ll say goodnight now.” With that, he put his hat on, and went out the back door.”Pg.198. …show more content…
When Scout started asking Atticus about the Tom Robinson case, Atticus says something minor and often overlooked. ““ Do you defend nig*ers, Atticus?” I asked him that evening. “Of course I do, don’t say nig*er, Scout. That’s common.””Pg.99. Atticus doesn’t see the need to divide Negroes from white people. In his eyes they are to be treated equally. In chapter 9, Atticus says something that is major to the theme of the book, and on how people should be treated equal. “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win.”Pg.101. Just because the world is and has been accustomed to one race or one color doesn’t mean Atticus has to be. The want for equality this man has can be seen here as another reason to defend
When looking at To Kill a Mockingbird, one can see that Lee uses lots of description, dialogue, and actions to portray Atticus as a heroic individual. The most important thing Atticus teaches in To Kill a Mockingbird is the message about how to best educate a child. From the beginning of the book, it's plain to see that Atticus has been down on his luck most of his life. "It's when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyways and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do"(124).
"There's something in our world that makes men lose their heads—they couldn't be fair if they tried. In our courts, when it's a white man's word against a black man's, the white man always wins. They're ugly, but those are the facts of life” (Lee ,223). Atticus told the jury thus quote. In tough situations Atticus always has great judgement. No matter the color, Harper Lee shows Atticus's character to be the most responsible out of most, he's also one of the most important characters in the book and is greatly talked about throughout the
Atticus’s children are in confusion and constantly ask their father about his case. Atticus said”. If I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this county in the legislature. i.e. a.75. Clearly we can see that he has lots of respect for this county and for blacks.
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” (Lee, 33) What Atticus means in this quote, is a lot like the quote “don’t judge a book by its cover”. It means you shouldn’t judge anyone by the way they look. You have to get to know them first. * “Imagine you’re playing a game of monopoly. The money is handed out. The player on your right gets double your a mount and the player to your left gets triple your amount. There is also a change of rules. Instead of collecting two hundred dollars when you pass go like the other players, you
Throughout the time approaching the trial, Atticus is commonly called a, “N****r Lover.” Mrs. Dubose even says, “Yes indeed, what has this world come to when a Finch goes against his raising? I'll tell you! Your father's no better than the n****rs and trash he works for” (Lee 135). This quote shows the strong hatred that the citizens have toward the Negroes and anyone who supports them. They have this strong hatred for the Negroes for no real reason other than their skin color. Scout realizes what is going on with the racist remarks and cruel comments, but can not understand how one human could be so mean to another. However, the evils related to race are not the only evils that Scout experiences during the
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...
Discrimination divides and brings hatrid, whereas acceptance brings unity and love. When they had another trial about this case, Atticus could have brought up that their opinions might be biased. That they are convicting him of rape for no other reason than he’s black.
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.
In the passage, Atticus shows fairness by saying “Some Negroes do lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are are not to be trusted around women---black or white.” (273, Chapter 20; Lee) Atticus is giving his closing statement in the trial of Tom Robinson’s case. This proves that Atticus is all about equality for all and freedom for all. Atticus is fair when it comes to everybody because that’s what he stands for.
During the life of Atticus Finch, racism proved itself to be an enormous problem. Many blacks and mixed people were seen as unworthy, different, and even lesser human beings. Although, Atticus was in the minority, he believed all people should be treated equally. One very important scene in the book involved a court case between a girl and a black man. Atticus Finch, believing all people should be treated with the same respect, was asked to defend the black man. Considering all the man’s background, work ethics, and personality, he discovered that the black man was no guiltier than the girl. Although in the end the black man was voted guilty, Atticus stood and fought for what was right. He displayed the equality, which Jesus wanted for all people, even if the decision would not benefit
This shows that atticus has strong values and that he makes sure that his children learn by example so that
Atticus is very compassionate towards the blacks, trying to protect them in a racist town like Maycomb. Scout does not understand why Mrs.Dubose and Francis call Atticus a “nigger-lover”, asking if he is one, but Atticus says: “I certainly am. I do my best to love everybody […] it’s never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name.” (Lee 144-145). Even though many define “nigger-lover” as a bad term, Atticus points out that all he is arguing for is black rights, as they are too poor to afford proper legal defense. Atticus does not take racial discrimination lightly; he believes Maycomb treats blacks unequally. Not only does Atticus display affection to the blacks, he wants other white folk to do the same. After the Tom Robinson trial, Jem questions Atticus about the verdict against Tom, believing the ruling to be bias. Atticus
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.
In today’s society there is still unfairness seen towards people because of their gender, towards people who are part of a minority group, people who have different religious beliefs or because of their social class. But because people, like African Americans, no longer want to be treated with inhumane conditions, people protest and push forward movements like the Civil Rights Movement to be able to have and let their children be part of a society that is better than the ones that were part of it. People, like Atticus, make society a little better for the others because Atticus is a person who understands that everyone carries different lives filled with different life experiences that shape their lives. Atticus does his best to understand while having patience with others, including his children.
Similarly, when Atticus got to defend Tom Robinson, the black Negro who was in a trial by the false charge, Atticus shows the equality toward all people. Scout, who had been teased by friends who are prejudiced, asked Atticus, “‘You aren’t really a nigger-lover, then, are you’ ‘I certainly am. I do my best to love everybody” (p. 144). Atticus does his best to love everybody, no matter what race or color he or she has. Which means, he is being equal and treating people all the same.