Atticus Character Analysis Essay

The main mockingbird of Harper Lee 's, tragic story To Kill a Mockingbird portrays the significance of Atticus Finch’s character throughout the story. Atticus’ ethics are equally well-adjusted throughout the story through many aspects. His extraordinary character gives an overwhelming satisfaction to the story. An important aspect that results in the importance of Atticus’s character is him being a good father and an inspirational role model for his children. The second aspect that results Atticus’s character is him being a good citizen at Maycomb and his equal treatment towards everyone. The third aspect is that Atticus is very knowledgeable about the way the legal system works and how he structures his responses, which makes him an excellent

He always teaches his children good manners, one of which includes showing them the ways in which their actions affect others and punishing them, at times, when they have done something wrong. When Jem damages the camellia bushes of Mrs. Dubose, Atticus punishes both of his children by telling them to read to her each day. Atticus says to them, “It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what” (Lee, 112). This is the day Jem and Scout realize the true meaning of courage and bravery. Also, Atticus always teaches his children life lessons, which proves him as a good father and mentor. One of the lessons that he teaches Scout is when he tells her, “I 'd rather you shoot at tin cans in the backyard, but I know you 'll go after birds. Shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it 's a sin to kill a mockingbird. That is the only time I ever heard Atticus say it isa sin to do something” (Lee, 10). In the novel, the title ‘mockingbird’ is given to someone who has never done any wrong to anyone and only good to everyone but they are still treated unfairly and harmed by the society. Atticus tells his children that it would be a crime if someone innocent is punished or harmed because they do not deserve it. He also explains that Scout and Jem should be one of those people who treat everyone fairly and set an example to others.

Atticus believes that the court will always serve justice to the innocent and punish the guilty. Few moments before the final verdict of Tom Robinson’s case comes out, Atticus addresses the juries, “I am confident that you gentleman will review without passion the evidence you have heard, come to a decision, and restore this defendant to his family. In the name of God, do your duty.” (Lee 205). Atticus knows that the duty of a jury is to make fair decisions. However, the case that he is fighting is of a black man and the legal system at this particular time is racist. So he requests the jury to draw an unprejudiced conclusion by reminding them of their duties. Furthermore, Atticus is a great lawyer who does not celebrate his victory until the final decision is made. When Jem asks if they won the case, Atticus responds by saying, “I’ve no idea.” (Lee 206). Even though Atticus gives proofs that prove Tom Robinson is innocent, he does not get happy or confident that they won the case. He waits until the jury announces their decision because even he is aware that the result might not be in his favour. Atticus fights for his client and does his best to prove that Tom is innocent, however, he also knows that if the jury is biased, the outcome will not be in his favour. Although Atticus does not lose hope, he fights until the very end and does not give up until the final verdict is