Atticus Finch And Fear

No matter what anybody says to you, don’t you let ‘em get your goat. Try fighting with your head for a change...it’s a good one, even if it does resist learning’”(Lee 101). Atticus believes in pacifism and teaches his kids to behave the same way. He thinks Scout has the potential to be an intelligent child, but she needs to avoid physical confrontation and instead focus on using her mind to learn and mature. When Bob Ewell spits in his face, Atticus encourages his children to put themselves in the shoes of the Ewell family, saying, “‘If spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that’s something I’ll gladly take. He had to take it out on somebody and I’d rather it be me than that houseful of children out there’”(Lee 292, 293). This exemplifies Atticus’ lessons on empathy, teaching his children that “‘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’”(Lee 39). By encouraging his children to resist fighting and instead use their sense to feel for others, Atticus teaches lessons on empathy and pacifism. In addition, Atticus’ teachings also include racism and morals.

Before Atticus shot the rabid dog, Jem and Scout, as well as the reader had a difficult time understanding Atticus and his personal values. After the dog is shot, Jem and Scout realize that Atticus hides some of his talents for personal reasons. His background sheds light on the overall development of his character as well as goes hand in hand with the development of Maycomb itself.The town of Maycomb can get trapped in a recurring cycle of habits and ignorance that are usually either carried out by the people, or by individuals that demonstrate habitual behavior. For example, while talking to Jem, Atticus exclaims, “I don’t know, but they did it. They’ve done it before and they did it tonight and they’ll do it again and when they do it-seems that only children weep” (Lee 213). In the above example, Atticus is referring to how the jury convicted Tom Robinson despite clear evidence suggesting inevitably otherwise. The fact that the people on the jury convicted Tom, merely because of his race, shows that they are demonstrating negative habitual behavior as well as ignorance. The people’s instinctive racial discrimination parallels the way in which, despite there being movements against it, Maycomb is still segregated into multiple parts. In fact, the town's area for African Americans is entirely separate from the city itself. The way in which the

It is rare to find a courageous and sympathetic person who is willing to stand against social injustice. In Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus represents this rare hero. He is a lawyer and a single parent to his kids Jem and Scout. He understands that society should not be black and white and helps those who are mistreated. Not only does Atticus demonstrate acts of courage and empathy, he is also an excellent role model to his children. Atticus represents the qualities of a true hero by exposing injustice, and through courageous and sympathetic activities, teaching his children moral values.

“Human beings are poor examiners, subject to superstition, bias, prejudice, and a profound tendency to see what they want to see rather than what is really there” ~ Scott Peck. Harper Lee’s novel To Kill A Mockingbird abounds with the injustice produced by social, gender, and racial prejudice. The setting of the book takes place in the 1930s, where racism is a big deal in society. In the novel Harper Lee uses a mockingbird as an analogy to the characters. The Mockingbird is a symbol for Three Characters in the book, Atticus Finch, Tom Robinson, and Boo Radley. The people of Maycomb only know Boo Radley and Tom Robinson by what others say about them. These Characters are then characterized by other people 's viewpoints. In the novel there are many themes that are adjacent to our lives, the one that is found in To Kill A Mockingbird is Human Conflict comes from the inability for one to understand another. “ You never understand a person until you consider things from his point of view- until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” (39)

In the story I predict that the children will end up not meeting Boo, because they are too scared to even walk across the sidewalk by his house. The children were playing baseball and they threw the ball over the fence, and said it is gone forever. That is how scared they must be to not even try and go get it. The children think that he will do the worst possible thing if they even consider getting their ball back. The children believe that if they walk near his house or even grab something by his house that Boo will come out and kill them all. Therefore many of the children are scared because the they believe that Boo will come and hurt them. Some of the kids also say that he goes up to their windows at night and watches them sleep, and if

However, the kids are not quick to accepting people most of the time. Without Atticus being there to guide them along the path of righteousness, Jem and Scout would be just like any other kid in Maycomb. When the kids are confused as to why Atticus was trying to do the ethical thing and defend Tom, Miss Maudie has to explain to them that he was making "baby steps in the right direction" (183). When Jem is still absent minded about the ordeal, Miss Maudie says, "I simply want to tell you that there are some men in this world who were born to do our unpleasant jobs for us. Your father's one of them.' 'Oh,' said Jem. 'Well.' 'Don't you oh well me, sir,' Miss Maudie replied, recognizing Jem's fatalistic noises, 'you are not old enough to appreciate what I said'" (183). The kids are impetuous to judge people, like Boo Radley, and Atticus has to stand up for him against the children. Even if Scout and Jem do a good deed of exemplifying equality, they are following by Atticus' admirable example since he is their father and they live under his influence.

One of the most interesting characters in To Kill a Mockingbird is Atticus Finch. He is a good representation of someone that is strong while keeping in mind other’s feelings. Throughout the book Atticus is show as a kind man who really cares for the people of Maycomb County. However, he still demands justice when someone is treated unfairly, even for the likes of a black man. Atticus Finch is very influential and yet still listens to what needs to be heard. In “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Harper Lee portrays Atticus as a man who values justice, wiseness and fair-mindedness.

All of these pre-conceived ideas are prevalent around Maycomb, but the compassion of Atticus is able to save Scout and Jem from the influence of these ideas and prevents them from contracting ‘Maycomb’s usual disease.’ Atticus is able to use his considerable wisdom and life experience to remove Scout and Jem from prejudice’s influence. Atticus is able to stop the influence, from small things, “Do you defend niggers, Atticus?" "Don't say nigger, Scout. That's common.” This shows that, in any way, shape or form, Atticus is determined for his children to avoid the disease for a more happy future. This comes at a cost though, with Scout slowly losing her childhood innocence as the book goes on. After she witnesses all of the things that have happened, she understands why her father is protecting her

Atticus is a wise father and helps his children accept people no matter how they look or act. This is evident when he says “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view.” (Lee 33). Throughout the novel, Jem and Scout mature at different paces. Atticus guides his children as they begin to grow and mature. “It ain’t right, Atticus,” said Jem.” “No son, It’s not right.” (Lee 243). When Atticus lost the case, Jem expressed how he felt. He had tears on his face. Here was a turning point for Jem because he was old enough to understand the case. Atticus comforted him and agreed it was not right. Atticus shows affection towards his children when they saved him from trouble with “the mob”. “As they passed under a streetlight, Atticus reached out and massaged Jem’s hair, his one gesture of affection.” (Lee 176). At first, Atticus may have been frustrated with his children being at the office. Then, their innocence saved him. Atticus has many characteristics and is a loving father. Atticus displays a valuable lesson about equality and fairness for his children.

One of the many things Atticus is passionate about is to teach his children that everyone is equal and not to judge others “until you consider things from his point of view…until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” Much of Maycomb believe that Atticus is wrong by taking the case of Tom Robinson and thinks he is an inadequate parent. Even Jem and Scout’s cousin Francis quotes, “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… t'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 again. He's ruinin' the family, that's what he's doin'”. Scout attempts to understand the town’s disappointment towards her father and whether he truly is a ‘nigger-lover’ and receives the answer; “I certainly am, I try my best to love everybody…if I didn’t I wouldn’t be able to hold my head up in this town. ” Atticus best

Nelson Mandela once said, “I learned that fear and courage was not in the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.” This quote relates to Harper Lee’s Atticus Finch. In the novel, Atticus Finch is a symbol of bravery in Maycomb. His children, Scout and Jem, learn from him, and that is what causes them to lose their innocence, and focus on how people are acting in Maycomb towards racism. Atticus defends a black man, named Tom Robinson, even though people that supported his opponent, Bob Ewell, were mean to him. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus portrays the theme of courage in the face of evil through defending Tom Robinson, the confrontation with Bob Ewell, and when the men came to hurt to Tom Robinson in his jail.

One assertion about Atticus Finch is that he is a courageous man, who believes in what is right even when it may not be popular. In chapter 17-20, he proves that he is a courageous man when he’s forced with a court case, in which he has to defend Tom Robinson. A black man that was accused of raping a young white girl. The case occurs in the small town Maycomb, where the racial tensions are high. Atticus is a white man and since he is lawyer he has to defend Tom, he knows he cannot win, but he does what is right and goes through with it. That’s why he is courageous, willing to go against all the odds, and do what’s right. Another reason that Atticus is courageous is when Mrs. Dobouse says, “Atticus is a niger lover” (100). This also shows that everyone in the town is against him. They were all once his friends and now because of him defending a black man, now all of the town is against him.

Atticus Finch is a lawyer who does not believe in racial discrimination. His courage is evident by his actions throughout the novel. Atticus accepts the Tom Robinson case having to know that he and his children will have to face racial slurs and many difficulties. “'Your fathers no better than the ____ and trash he works for!'” (102 Lee). This quote shows that Atticus and his children are going through a difficult time caused by the Tom Robinson case. Atticus stands up to his neighbours and to the racism of Maycomb. This is done while knowing that him and his children will have to go through a rough time. Although exposing his children to the difficulties from racism, he still shows courage by defending Tom. This was a very moral kind of courage, Atticus also shows acts of physical courage

The first lesson he teaches the children is about tolerance. Atticus is talking to scout about the Ewells, and how they are low class people that disrespect the laws of Maycomb. He talks about Mr. Ewell, and how he is an alcoholic that would hit his kids. Scout says, “Mr. Ewell shouldn’t do that---” (Lee 41). Atticus responds with “of course he shouldn’t, but he’ll never change his ways. Are you going to take out your disapproval on his children?” (Lee 41). The grievous Mrs. Dubose is scoffing Jem about how, “Your father’s no better than the niggers

He then holds them responsible for what they do and say. Although his ways are different than the societal standards, Atticus’s involvement with his children is effective for discipline. He does not always discipline them in the same manner, but does so in ways fitting to the circumstances. Atticus chooses particular words to express exactly what his children need to hear in order to mend their ways. Often, he simply expresses his disappointment. Sometimes, he uses firm reprimanding. Once, we see Atticus use his keen intellect, employing what Scout calls “the oldest lawyer’s trick on record” (50) so that Jem admits to “putting [Mr. Radley’s] life’s history on display for the edification of the neighborhood” (49), as Atticus describes it. Scout’s father teaches by example countless times when he reminds her that “it ain’t time to worry yet” (70), even when a fire threatens to sweep away all of their belongings. In addition to his honest discussions with Scout and Jem, Atticus gives them many profound lessons through his intentional interactions with others.