Atticus Rationality In To Kill A Mockingbird

The Rationality of Atticus’s Decision

“Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (Lee 119). After Scout and Jem get a gun for Christmas, Atticus reminds them not to shoot at mockingbirds, as they are as innocent and can be, a lesson teaching them and a powerful statement that also signifies Tom Robinson’s innocence. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Harper displays Atticus as a man who defends Tom Robinson, a black man, in a court case through Scout’s perspective both as a child, as well as an adult. The defendant is accused of rape and was in need of a lawyer until Atticus accepts to secure him and his case, as no one was willing to protect a black man when against anyone white,

Atticus does realize, however, that Jem and Scout will undergo cruel comments, but he believes Scout and Jem will be able to conquer them. When Bob Ewell spat Atticus, as well as threatened Atticus, it is made clear that his intent is to seek vengeance. “It was Miss Stephanie’s pleasure to tell us: this morning Mr. Bob Ewell stopped Atticus on the post office corner, spat in his face, and told him he’d get him if it took the rest of his life” (Lee 290). This quote communicates that Mr. Ewell will stop at nothing to get revenge on Atticus for making him seem as he is a fool, which ultimately results in him dieing and wounding Atticus’s children in a way that exposes extensive clarity. Jem’s arm is now broken and Scout was injured. However, in the end, Boo Radley saves both Jem and Scout and everything serves justice when Bob Ewell seems to kill himself when falling on his knife. This signifies that Bob Ewell would no longer pester anyone about anything and will no longer be abusive of his children and continue his irresponsibility. In addition, some may counter that Atticus knows he is putting Jem and Scout in a difficult position where nearly everyone in Maycomb is criticizing them and their family. “‘Your father’s no better than the niggers and trash he works for’” (Lee 135). Mrs. Dubose goes as far as saying that Atticus is worthless, by her definition, and is simply yet another case of the point exhibiting Maycomb’s racism and discourtesy towards Atticus, Jem, and Scout. Despite this, as a result, good is the outcome. Jem and Scout learn to overcome harsh occurrences through the use of courage, another one of Atticus’s means of getting his children to do what is honorable, and get his children to get the better of those brutal moments that drag others