Atticus Finch Moral Development

Atticus Finch is widely regarded as one of the most influential characters in modern literature. His pivotal role in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee exemplifies this influence and demonstrates his positive effect on his children, Jem and Scout. Throughout the novel, Atticus leads by example and provides lessons and teachings for his children to follow. His wisdom proves to be an instrumental part in the maturation and development of his children, and helps them to grow, learn, and adapt to the changing world around them. Atticus Finch teaches his children important lessons by forcing Jem read to Mrs. Dubose, remaining pacifistic, and defending Tom Robinson; therefore, he is a beneficial father and role model for his children.

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.

The Finch family is hopeful. Atticus has brought his children up by his values. The children, Jem and Scout, are taught to hope, by their father, Atticus. Both are impacted form the work Atticus has done, he has defended an African American. Jem learns from Atticus to never lose hope, and he does not lose hope throughout the novel. The children also show that there is hope in the future for people to be nonjudgmental. They did not understand how a jury could convict a man whom they knew was innocent and this was astonishing for them. Atticus explains to Jem that it has happened before and will happen again, sadly he also told them,"... when they do it - it seems that only the children weep...” (Lee, pg 232). Atticus is the wise one; he explains the problem to the children. He tells them that injustice will always happen. Atticus tells the children that bad things happen in the world, but only children find it hard to understand. The message of hope carries on in the book, is that despite her debut into the adult world, she avoids absorbing the prejudices of the community around her. Scout becomes our hope for a more tolerant future. However all hope is not lost in the end. As Scout realises that Boo is no one to dread and the two become friends, so too do we realise that the town can likewise learn to shed its bigotry and embrace its subject of unfound malice. Jem and Scout learnt that hope is always there, from there father, Atticus in the novel, To

In books, many characters go through moral development. The book To Kill A Mockingbird shows many examples of characters that go through this development and characters that help others develop. While there are many different characters in the book, the focus is on the development of Jem and Scout Finch with the help of Atticus and Calpurnia. The kids are introduced when they are young and over the span of the book, the adults teach and help them, making them have a different understanding of the world only two years later. With the guidance of Atticus and Cal, Jem and Scout go through a big moral change.

In a small town in Alabama, called Maycomb, during the Great Depression, a rape trial is underway. Atticus Finch, a Maycomb lawyer, tries to persuade the jury and other townspeople in the courthouse that Tom Robinson, who was falsely accused of raping Mayella Ewell. In this trial, Atticus speaks directly to the jury to protect Tom and prove to the rest of the town that Tom was falsely accused by Bob Ewell. During the trial of Tom Robinson, Atticus appeals more to pathos in order to prove his point that Tom was innocent by also asking hypophoric questions and relying on anaphoric sentences to reinforce his confident tone.

Growing up happens during the magical times of freedom given to children in their early years. Wise parents discern when freedom is necessary for their children, are very clear about their expectations, and determine fitting consequences for actions out of line. Harper Lee personifies this role of a wise and caring parent in the father figure of her novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus Finch, a character made to mirror the author’s own father, is a lawyer and a well-respected citizen of his Southern Alabama town. Through Atticus, Harper Lee establishes a standard of good and evil, developing the theme of morality during his interactions. Atticus establishes right from wrong in most every relationship, especially with his children, his

Lastly, Atticus emphasizes how vital inner peace and making the moral decision in a given situation is to maturation. For instance, in a conversation with his children, Atticus comments, “Before I can live with other folks I got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn’t abide by a majority rule is a man’s conscience.” (Lee 105) By emphasizing the importance of having personal integrity and doing the ethical thing in any circumstance, Atticus provides his children with wisdom that will carry them through life. Therefore, through unremittingly reiterating the importance of moral decisions, proving the need for pacifism and establishing the importance of multiple perspectives, Atticus verifies himself as a major contributor in Jem and Scout’s development into adolescence.

“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.” This quote is said by Atticus Finch in Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill A Mockingbird. Throughout the novel, the protagonist, Scout, has learned and grown from what she has discovered about people around her and how they live their lives. Furthermore, the point when she fully realizes what her father had said about understanding others would be when she stood on Arthur Radley’s porch after she walked him home.

“If you learn a simple trick, Scout, 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.” This is just one of many examples of Atticus Finch parenting his children. When it comes to parenting, Atticus Finch, a fictional character in the 1960 novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, certainly knows what he’s talking about. His unique, then controversial, approach at raising Scout and Jem is a big part in To Kill A Mockingbird. He teaches them to be themselves and not care about what other people think of them, he teaches them to not judge people unless they really know what they’re going through, or their side of the story.

In the past century, there have been many great novels written. One of which is Harper Lee's, 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. In the novel it introduces a prominent character who not only was a good father but also a well respected, and compassionate man. This person is Atticus Finch. Through all the struggles and pressures, he stands strong as a very positive father figure, making sure to educate his children with important values including equality, bravery, and knowledge.

Every child comes of age by recognizing reality and the ways of the world, and as this happens they begin to forget the silly games and make believe that once entertained them. In Harper Lee’s book, “To Kill a Mockingbird”, Jem and Scout are the kids of Maycomb defence attorney, Atticus Finch. He raises his children to respect and love everyone. Atticus has always been the children’s main influence, however as they start school they begin to have more experiences outside of the home and their family life. The main thing introduced to Jem is racism. Especially after their father takes on a case of a black man, Tom Robinson. Jem starts out as an immature little boy, however he comes of age due to several instances such as, helping the Cunningham boy, being punished by Mrs. Dubose, helping his best friend Dill, and defending his sister in a scary event.

Childhood is an important part of anyone’s life as they learn to cherish and remember. In the story, Jem and Scout Finch are two kids trapped in a racial society during a time of segregation and inequality. Living in a time like this was a difficult lifestyle, and especially at a young age. Atticus Finch, the wise father of the two children, is a fighting lawyer who defends an innocent man who happens to have dark skin. They had to grow up quickly and take the role of young adults in order to keep their family, town, and each other safe.

Atticus Finch and the book To Kill a Mockingbird has served as a literary example of the Jim Crow South. This is of importance since Atticus Finch lived in the Jim Crow South, but he did not act so, he responded to the harsh realities of racism differently from the white southerners in the book and real life. Atticus Finch, although a fictitious character has sparked much debate between students, scholars, and those alike. Atticus Finch is what some such as Ann Althouse would call the epitome of justice and fairness. Others such as, Joseph Crespino would disagree and call him an ordinary, unexceptional lawyer. The question of Atticus Finch's character has been debated since the publication of To Kill a Mockingbird and is widely debated today.

While many may view a family as a mother and a father raising a few children, Atticus Finch proves that a family doesn’t have to fit the mold to flourish. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus raises his two children, Jem and Scout, after his wife passed away. Just because Atticus isn’t married, doesn't mean he isn’t able to provide for his children physically, emotionally, and mentally. Miss Maudie comments on his parenting by saying, “Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets” (Lee 61). Atticus is a good parent for his children because he is able to set an example without remarrying. Scout and Jem learn to be honest, kind, and respectful to everyone from Atticus. Scout, the novel’s narrator, doesn’t feel any sense of emptiness by not having a mother to raise her. The Finch’s may not be a traditional family, but Atticus’s parenting shows that they are able to be successful and happy.

In recent literary history, perhaps the strongest contender for the one character that has had the greatest influence on a generation is Atticus Finch, father of the protagonist in “To Kill A Mockingbird”. Both as a father, and a lawyer, he has served, and still today serves as a pillar of righteousness and morality. The ability for his morality to translate to all people, across ages, races, and cultures, is a feat preformed by Harper Lee in her masterpiece, “To Kill A Mockingbird”. She establishes Atticus Finch as the moral center of the novel by juxtaposing his actions and the relationships with those of the majority of Maycomb. In doing so, she has made him a cultural, and oftentimes personal icon.