Atticus Finch Role Model

Dr. Steve Maraboli, an author once stated, “The truth of your character is expressed through the choice of your actions. This refers to how important it is to develop good character and how it can be an example for others. In Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch, the father of the protagonist Scout Finch, is man with with great character and example in the novel. Atticus is known as a good father to Jem and Scout, and his example to his children help them grow to be very intelligent young children. Furthermore, Atticus’s role as a very prominent lawyer, especially his will to defend black people like Tom Robinson, sets a great example to the people who are racist. Finally, Atticus, as a citizen of Maycomb uses his character

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.

Lastly, Atticus shows his kids how to show courage throughout the book. Atticus was a good example of showing courage when he took the Tom Robinson case. He knew Tom Robinson needed help and Atticus showed that it is always right to help anyone. He said “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 help that man (Lee 139).” Another example of Atticus showing courage is when he shoots the dog so it doesn’t hurt anyone. Atticus did not want to shoot anything,

Instead of explaining to his children how the white society should treat others of a different race, he teaches his kids about equality. He says to Scout: "I do my best to love everybody... I'm hard put, sometimes—baby, it's never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is, it doesn't hurt you" (Lee 144). In other words, Atticus declares that he does his best to love everybody, which teaches Scout that she should not judge or mistreat others by race, but to give equal respect to all mankind. Moreover, Atticus gives his children a perspective on what real courage is. He says to Scout: “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what” (Lee 149). Atticus’ statement gives Scout a lesson. She learns that courage is not doing a hard task and being able to succeed in it. It is about believing in something and doing your best to achieve it, even though you may not succeed. Atticus teaches his kids moral values by telling them the act of true courage and leads them to the path of

Atticus Finch displayed a notably unusual parenting style throughout the book. Atticus speaks to his children in a completely open manner, not sugarcoating anything, essentially conversing with them as honestly as he would with a fellow adult. Atticus' behavior towards his kids demonstrates the respect he feels towards them. He seems to think that they are mature enough to handle topics most people don't think are suitable for children. Not only is he open and honest with Jem and Scout, he even makes compromises and promises between them and himself, whereas other parents would have a mentality consisting more of "I have the final say in the

Atticus and his children both had to deal with the adversity against them because of the communities differences in opinion. They kept their integrity through it all with Jem and scout having their father’s moral advice and support to help them. Though many succumb to the pressures put on us, there are also many Atticus’s out there that have a moral and ethical conscience backing them up. They become a role model that breeds integrity through their moral practices. “Before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself.  The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience.” (Lee, pg.108)

By being the moral focus of the novel, this once again allows for Atticus to be the character that his children look to follow and emulate. Lastly, Atticus teaches his children extremely important lessons, such as to consider situations through another person’s point of view. Atticus explains 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 33). By encouraging the ability to look at a situation

Atticus is compassionate, this allows him to sympathize and forgive. Furthermore, He tries to incorporate this trait into his children. An example of him demonstrating this is when he talks to Scout about school. “You’ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from their point of view-until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.”(30). this quote demonstrates compassion from Atticus because he explains to scout that everyone thinks and feels differently. Also, he tries to help Scout because she did not want to go to school anymore. One of the reasons is because she did not understand why Miss Caroline did not allow her to read at home. Scout use this compassionate quotes from Atticus to realize Miss Caroline felt mad because her knowing how to read was not a part of Miss Caroline's plan to teach the kids. Another example of Atticus

Atticus Finch is a model father created by Harper Lee in the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird. He is an important figure in the Maycomb, Alabama Community. He raises his children, Jean Louise Finch (Scout) and Jeremy Atticus Finch (Jem) with wide sets of morals, disciplines them, and is a true role model. Atticus allows his children to be individuals and does not try to change who they are. He teaches them fairness and equality among many different types of people in Maycomb. He is always teaching his children about how their actions may affect others, then, as a result, devices punishments to teach Scout and Jem valued life lessons. In many situations, Atticus can chastise his children, but he allows them mature and notice their own mistakes

In today’s society, a hero is often seen as someone who puts themselves into a directly fatal situation for the purpose of saving other people. A hero is less often thought of as someone who teaches lessons that in turn, could easily save lives. In Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus Finch is a hero to his children, and to Tom Robinson. Atticus devoted a year to defending Tom Robinson when all odds were stacked against him. He spent his time with his children teaching them right from wrong. He tried not to push his opinions on them so they could become their own people, but he tried to set a good example. Atticus very rarely put himself in direct danger because of his actions, but because of his opinions. His opinions affected the views of the people of Maycomb. Atticus Finch was a hero in the most day to day sense.

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.

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.

This quote develops the central theme of the novel. Atticus does not give much of an explanation. Atticus is honest about what he wants his children to do or not do. He is protective over them yet lets them have their freedom.

Atticus is a great parent. He does many things that make him a great parent such as, being respectful, giving great advice, and he is very caring. To begin with, Atticus does not expect the respect of his children but earns it, this is shown many times, but the best example is when he tells Scout “We’ll go on reading as we always have.” (pg.41) he is showing he respects Scout because he believes she is smart enough to read and agrees more with Scout than her teacher. Secondly, he gives them great advice, when Scout is upset about her teacher telling her not to read, Atticus tells her that she will get along with people better if she can climb into their skin and walk around in it. He makes her understand what is happening in her life and resolves her issue. Lastly, Atticus is very caring.

Over the past three years, here in Maycomb County, I have kept a memory box of all the items that remind me of enjoyable times or times where I learned something very important. Atticus has taught me a lot about society through his recent court case concerning Tom Robinson’s innocence. He taught me not to label people based on if they are black or white. He taught me to stand up for what I believe in and to not worry about what other people think and say. The biggest thing that I have learned is to be yourself and keep strong even in challenging situations.