In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, one of the main characters serves as the ‘Moral Compass’ in the storyline. Atticus Finch, a father of two children who is also working as a lawyer, is considered as a “Christ-like” figure in the novel, due to the human characteristics and persecution that he had. He shows the attribution of sacrificing himself, treating all people as equal, and having for compassion under various circumstances. To start with, Jesus shows the characteristic of self-sacrifice in the Bible, and so does Atticus in the novel. Jesus is so mighty and He could have lived however He wanted to. However, instead of choosing to live for His benefit, He made a precedent for human beings. “Christ suffered for you, leaving …show more content…
When Levi threw a great feast for Jesus, there was a great crowd of tax collectors and sinners, sitting with Jesus and His disciples. Then the Pharisees murmured, saying, “…Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners? And Jesus answered and said to them, Those who are healthy have no need of a physician, but those who are ill; I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:30-33). Jesus did not sat only with “not sinful” people, but also with sinners and tax collectors. He was equal to everyone, even the tax collectors and sinners. 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. From Atticus’s conversation with Scout, he shows equality just like Jesus did to the tax collectors and …show more content…
When Mary’s brother, Lazarus, died for the glory of God, Mary cried in front of Jesus, saying that Lazarus would not have died if Jesus was with him. “Then Jesus, when He saw her weeping and the Jews who came with her weeping, was moved with indignation in His spirit and was troubled…Jesus wept” (John 11:33-35). Jesus did not ignore her but listened to her when Mary cried in front of Jesus, even though Jesus had seen so many people dying, He did not think that Lazarus was one of the person who is dying. Jesus cared one individual person and wept with Mary with His whole spirit. Just like Jesus showed compassionate in this situation, Atticus shows compassion when he received foods from Tom Robinson and the black community. Atticus knew that Tom do not even have enough food for himself and his family but did his best to serve Atticus in the uttermost, showing thankfulness. Atticus knew the fact that Tom was doing his best to serve him, “Atticus’s eyes filled with tears… ‘Tell them I’m very grateful’” (p. 286). Atticus burst into tears, because he was overwhelmed with Tom’s generosity. This was the time when Tom should be having a very hard time, being in the court with the prejudiced people mocking him, but Tom did his best to show appreciation by the gift from the heart. Jesus showed his compassion when He saw Mary crying, and just like Jesus, Atticus exhibited compassion when he
In this story, Atticus defends Tom Robinson with compassion. Atticus is a very respected upper class white. He comes from an old family and works for the state legislature. He was asked to just be the lawyer, not to actually defend. When Atticus states, "I'm simply defending a Negro.
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.
When most people were against him and are trying to convince him not to, Atticus was determined to continue defending Tom Robinson (an African American who was accused of raping a white lady name Mayella Ewell - Mr. Ewell's daughter). (Make it active voice ?) Due to his good morals, Atticus felt like he needs to help Tom Robinson “This case, Tom Robinson’s case, is something that goes to the essence of a man’s conscience --- Scout, I couldn’t go to church and worship God if I didn’t try to help that man” (108). As addressed in To Kill a Mockingbird, Jim Crow laws manipulated individuals ethics to think that blaming African Americans is fine since all they do is not good (change the wordings). This type of discrimination made African American victims of jails and crimes that they did not even consider doing but were thought of doing because of racial segregation enforcement (popularity?) within the Southern society of the US. However, Atticus was different and believed that Tom robinson is innocent since he understood (understands?) how people discriminate others and was aware (is aware) of different types of prejudice (in that time period). So, due to Atticus’ good morals and values, he was willing to try his best to support the truth (who was right or something) and help Tom Robinson which makes him a great parent because (he is a person of morals?) of his good morals and values (delete morals and values?). Atticus (atticus’s ?) belief (of noting using one’s power to hurt each other … ?) that people should not harm each other should be admired. For instance, Miss Maudie (Atticus neighbour) was confirming to Scout that what Atticus said about Mockingbirds is right “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They
Atticus views that it is his duty to do his best in the Tom Robinson trial and feels no
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus is perceived by many as a very empathetic character because of many reasons. For example, as you know Atticus is a well-respected lawyer in Maycomb and many people look up to him, and even though he knows that defending Tom Robinson will harm that reputation among white people, he still chose to defend Tom Robinson. His ability to empathize with Tom Robinson shows not only the type of person he is, but also how he treats every one equally. Atticus’ spirit of empathy is not just shown in the Tom Robinson case. After the case is over, Bob Ewell greets Atticus by spitting on him and saying some rude remarks. But Atticus reacts calmly and doesn’t fight back. When the children hear of this situation, of course they are furious, but Atticus being the person he is tells them simply “…If you can just stand in Bob Ewell’s shoes a minute. I destroyed his last shred of credibility.” (Lee, 292). Another example of Atticus being empathetic is when he is speaking to Uncle Jack about lying to Scout Atticus says “Jack! When a child asks you something, answer him, for goodness’ sake. But don’t make a production of it. Children are children, but they can spot an evasi...
During a time when black people were thought to be lower than white people, Atticus defended a black man in court. He said to his children, "I'm simply defending a Negrohis name's Tom Robinson," (pg. 75). It required a lot of confidence and caring for Atticus to defend Tom, and the black community knew that Tom did not stand a chance without Atticus' help. They respected him and looked to him as a hero. They showed this when they stood up for him in the courtroom. Reverend Sykes said to Scout in the courtroom, "Miss Jean Louise, stand up. Your father's passin," (pg. 211). The entire group of black people who were there stood up for him. Also, the parishioners at Calpurnia's church made Jem and Scout feel welcome when they visited their church. This showed that the black people also respected Atticus' family. If Atticus were just trying his best in a difficult circumstance, then he would not be as respected as he was by the black community. The black people greatly acknowledged the qualities that Atticus displayed by defending Tom and looked to him as a hero because of these qualities.
Atticus shows great compassion and tolerance when he stands up for the Negroes. He stands up and represents Tom Robinson because he believes that everyone should be treated equally in the court of law. He knows that because Tom was a Negro there would be a slim chance of winning. That fact never discouraged him though because he says that the main reason he is representing Tom is because, ' if I didn't I couldn't hold up my head in town, I couldn't represent this county in the legislature'; (75). He recited a speech, which clearly states that Tom Robinson is not guilty. In that speech he says, 'our courts have their faults, as does any human institution, but in this courts are the great levelers, and in our courts all men are created equal'; (205). He believed that prejudice and stereotyping is wrong and he tries to teach these morals to Scout and Jem.
For many, Atticus is a beacon of justice however, he embodies forgiveness in its purest form. His character shows that justice is not elusive of compassion, but rather that through the pursuit of justice one can obtain forgiveness. “Jem, see if you can stand in Bob Ewell’s shoes a minute. I destroyed his last shred of credibility at that trial… So if spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that’s something I’ll
Atticus was faced with a dilemma of helping Tom or not, shows his inner character standing up for what is right. After Atticus agrees to take the case of Tom Robinson, Scout asks him why he is defending Tom he replied by saying, “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”(Lee 86). This is one of few quotes where Atticus expresses his feeling about defending Tom Robinson, Atticus is one of few people who see everyone the same and does not judge people based upon race.
Lee illustrates Atticus Finch as a very understanding character, especially during the Tom Robinson trial. During the revolting times of the 1930s, it was outlandish for a white man to stand up for a Negro man. For example, when the towns’ people are talking about Atticus, they say, “You know the court appointed him to defend this nigger.” “Yeah, Atticus aims to defend him, that’s what is don’t like about it” (218). When Atticus is delegated to defend Tom Robinson, he not only defends him because he was ordered to. Atticus intentionally helped Tom and wanted Tom to win. Even though the towns’ people did not like Atticus aiming to defend Tom, he understood that it was his duty to help him. Another example is in chapter 22 when Bob Ewell spits on Atticus’s face. Atticus didn’t react intrusive because he knew that it would affect people’s outlook on the trial and on Tom. Atticus stood above the standard and helped a black man, which earned him respect from the Negro people in town. Atticus was very wholehearted when deciding to help Tom Robinson in the trial.
Atticus is a great leader of his family, teaching his children morals and life lessons. He makes them better people by showing them how to deal with the trial and people making fun of them. Atticus teaches Scout how to respect other people. First, Scout learns to respect Atticus, then to respect "Boo" Radley, and finally to respect a whole race of people, negroes. He makes it a common practice to live his life as he would like his children to live theirs, and thus displays the attributes of an honest, respectable, and kind man. Throughout the trial process, Atticus shows Jem and Scout that true courage is standing up for what you believe in and that all human beings, despite their race, deserve respect. "You never really understand a person until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." This quote shows that Atticus wants his children to get along with people, and so other people will respect them for whom they are.
Towards the end of To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus decides to represent a colored man by the man of Tom Robinson, who is being accused of raping Mayella Ewell, Bob Ewell’s daughter. Atticus believes that Tom is innocent, but he does not think that Tom will be found not guilty because of they way the townsfolk treat colored people. They treat them like dirt; like they are worth nothing. Atticus went ahead and represented Tom despite the fact that he knew the townsfolk would call himself and his children names and treat them disrespectfully. Even Scout’s relative Francis said rude things about them. “‘I guess it ain't your fault if Uncle Atticus is a nigger-lover besides, but I'm here to tell you it certainly does mortify the rest of the family-...’ ‘Just what I said. Grandma says it's bad enough he lets you all run wild, but now he's turned out a nigger-lover we'll never be able to walk the streets of Maycomb agin. He's ruinin' the family, that's what he's doin'.’” Atticus set a good example for Scout and Jem. He had a difficult decision to make, but he chose what he thought was
Throughout the novel, Atticus displays empathy by trying to understand other people’s perspectives and what their conditions are. Mr. Cunningham, father of Walter Cunningham, is a poor farmer who was a client of Atticus. Because of the Cunningham’s financial state he was unable to pay Atticus for his services, “Mr. Finch, I don’t know when I’ll ever be able to pay you” (Lee 22). To which Atticus replied, “Let that be the least of your worries, Walter” (Lee 23). Atticus never
Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus demonstrates himself as a loyal, humble man towards his family and especially towards Tom Robinson. Atticus respects and desires for everyone to be treated equally, no matter the color of their skin, thus he remains loyal to Tom since he believes that Tom deserves a fair trial. When Atticus tells Scout that “the main reason is, if I didn’t defend Tom I couldn’t hold my head in town, I couldn’t represent the country in legislature, I couldn’t tell you or Jem not to do something again” (86), he means that if he does not defend and show loyalty to Tom, he will have not stood up for true justice and equality, thus shaming himself forever. Therefore, even when faced with so much opposition, Atticus continues to stick up for Tom because he wants to promote and uphold justice and fairness for all to
...Scout, I couldn?t go to church and worship God if I didn?t try to help that man.?? Atticus would help a man if it is the right thing to do, he does not consider what people think of him, he will only be bothered if does not help, then he is going against his moral beliefs. Atticus shows his beliefs, truthfulness, and justice.