How Does Atticus Finch Show Prejudice In To Kill A Mockingbird

Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, is set in Maycomb (Modern day Monroeville), Alabama. The time period of the novel is the early 1930s. During this time period, the Jim Crow laws which promoted segregation were in effect. Atticus Finch, one of the main characters, is a white lawyer with two young children Scout and Jem who defends a black man named Tom Robinson. Prejudice is a common practice among the residents of Maycomb. Some of Maycomb’s residents display their prejudice towards Tom Robinson. This is not the case with Atticus Finch. Atticus reveals his character by displaying the qualities of courage, integrity and tolerance to the residents of Maycomb. Atticus Finch educates his children about the importance of true courage. Atticus

For example, he tells Scout not to judge people just because they are different, people should try to understand and love each other. “...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...until you climb into his skin and walk around in it,” (30). Atticus puts into practice what he teaches. Walter Cunningham Jr., Scout’s schoolmate was invited to eat at the Finch’ household. The house maid, Calpurnia offers Walter some syrup, Walter poured a surplus of maple syrup on his meat and vegetable meal. Walter does not know any better because he is from a poor family. Scout reacted in an inappropriate way by causing Walter to feel uncomfortable. Atticus responds by patiently shaking his head at Scout two times to show that her reaction was not appropriate. “‘Did you pay a bushel of potatoes for him?’ [Scout] asked, but Atticus shook his head at [Scout]...[Walter] would have probably poured [syrup] into his milk glass if [Scout] had not asked what the sam hill he was doing...Atticus shook his head at [Scout],” (24). This shows how Atticus puts himself in Walter’s “skin,” tolerating his unusual