Research Paper On Atticus Finch

Atticus Finch: Father of the Year or Lawyer of the Century Different characters have different personalities, traits and flaws that shape them as well as influence us (the readers). One of the main and most influential characters in Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, is Atticus Finch. Atticus Finch lives with his two children and cook, Calpurnia, in Maycomb County, Alabama. In the small, Southern town, he is known as the best lawyer and citizen, even though many of his ideas contradict those of the rest of the town. He has numerous characteristics that set him apart from the rest of the crowd. People trust and listen to him, absorbing whatever he says, as long as it fits in with the status quo. While he may not realize it, everything

He is brave, kind and commits wholeheartedly to anything he does. Miss Maudie says, “...if Atticus Finch drank until he was drunk he wouldn’t be as hard as some men are at their best”(60). What Miss Maudie means is that even if Atticus was completely drunk, he’d still be a better man than most men are while they’re on their best behavior. Miss Maudie also says, “ Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public street.” (60) This implies that Atticus,unlike the rest of Maycomb, has nothing to hide from anyone. He is not furtive in the slightest and believes in the truth. During the trial, Atticus gives a very deep, very frank speech to the community, asking them to extinguish their presumptions and make a decision purely based on evidence. He bares his soul and tries to convince the town to break stereotypes and evolve. The fact that they didn’t heed his advice shows how close-minded and different they are compared to

Scout says, “We were far too old to settle our argument with a fist fight so we consulted Atticus. Our father said we were both right”(1). This shows beyond doubt that the children go to Atticus with any problems they might have and rely on his help to solve them. Whether he knows it or not, his children adore him and are enthralled by anything he tells them. Everything he does whittles away at their dispositions. Before the trial, when there is a lynch mob outside the prison looking for Tom Robinson, Atticus puts himself in harm's way to make sure Robinson is safe. His bravery and commitment to the trial as well as his morals and beliefs are shown in this situation. He and Scout gave the entire mob a lesson on ethics and bravery. Scout was able to stand up to the mob because she knew her father would be there to keep her safe. She was confident he wouldn’t let anything bad happen to her. Even though Atticus began to fret, she ignored him and kept going. She used all the lessons he taught her and persuaded the lynch mob to leave Robinson