Atticus's Stereotypes

Although Jem desperately wants to follow in Atticus’ footsteps, his innocence prevents him from being aware

When Scout,Jem, and Dill were trying to get the note to Boo Radley, Atticus catches them and tells Jem “I'm going to tell you something and tell you one time: Stop tormenting that man. That goes for the two of you”(Lee 65) simply because he is older but like hr said it gose for the two of them. As for that Atticus just wants to keep his children safe in general. Atticus is a very mature adult as you can tell in the novel so he is trying to have his chaldren grow to be like him.

The story “To Kill a Mockingbird”, racial stereotyping played a significant part in society. In the Tom Robinson case, even though there wasn’t sufficient evidence to prove guilt, many supported to action of calling the defendant guilty due to his race. One of the main characters; Atticus Finch, decided to act as attorney to the defendant of this case, well aware that this action would have a negative effect on his family’s reputation. Despite this, one could argue that Atticus was wise to defend Tom Robinson for a number of reasons.

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.

“Best way to clear the air is to have it all out in the open(314).” This quote by Atticus shows the extent of his honesty. He doesn’t wish to mislead anyone about the happenings of the night of Bob Ewell’s death, even if that means the townspeople judge him or spread rumors like they do about almost everyone in town. Despite Atticus’s knowledge of this, he still stays true to himself and his beliefs and does not bend the rules, even for his son. Since he’s raised Jem to never participate in nor promote deceit, it would be hypocritical of him to start changing his ways for Jem.

One of the main characters named Atticus is a successful attorney in Maycomb County and has two children Scout and Jem. His strong influence on both of his children teaches them qualities that were rare. In particular, he taught them to be brave and courageous. Atticus did this by standing up for the minority in court. When he lead by example, in turn, his children began to mature.

“Go by Dill’s and get your pants, Jem. Settle it yourselves” (73). Even though Jem was doing something that he shouldn’t have been doing, all Atticus says is to “Settle it yourselves”. He doesn’t provide his children with enough information and knowledge for them to grow up successfully. His lack in providing consequences for their actions causes the children to behave improperly.

Donald Glover once said “We put stereotypes on ourselves”. Everybody does that. But I think it’s just a little harder for black kids to just be who they are” Donald Glover hoped that people saw it’s hard for black people to live in this world and how we struggle, much like Harper Lee does in her 1960 novel To Kill a Mockingbird. All through the novel, Harper Lee brings in the story of Tom Robinson, a black man who was wrongfully accused of sexually assaulting a woman just because of the pigment of his skin. To start, family always teaches you life lessons.

"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 30). Atticus Finch says these words to his daughter, Scout, after he elucidates to her why it is important to not be quick to judge a book by its cover . In Harper Lee's To Kill A Mocking Bird, the main conflicts are centered around prejudice. In the tiny town of Maycomb, everybody is set on tradition and there is no room for oddity. Atticus Finch breaks down the walls that everybody else builds up about first and lasting impressions, slowly but surely. Atticus Finch is a discreet example of practicing equality because he espouses the outcasts of Maycomb.

Atticus appreciates what Heck is trying to do, but he doesn't want anyone to cover for Jem. He knows the legal system will run it’s course and Jem will be in no trouble. Atticus want’s everyone to know that the legal system is not as corrupt as people think it is, and he is trying to make a change.

In a small county called Maycomb, in the 1950’s, racism is viewed as normal, but a white man defending a black man of his own accord is ridiculed regularly. Atticus is an interesting character in the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. He is an excellent lawyer who is very humble and kind. In the story he is assigned an impossible case to win, defending a black man, Tom Robinson, from the accusation of raping a white female. He could deny the case but he wants to take it.

Atticus is guarding the jailhouse to make sure no one hurts Tom Robinson before his trial, when he is approached by Walter Cunningham and his fellow goons. Atticus shows his bravery by standing his ground for what he believes is right in front of his son. When Scout lashes out to her father’s side, Jem holds onto her and tries to stop her from interfering. Then Jem refuses to go home and stands up for his father’s side although the odds were against them, while trying to protect his sister from harm. In page 152, chapter 15, Scout says, “... but from the way he stood, Jem was not thinking of budging.” This shows us that Jem has matured from the boy who would do anything if dared, to a young man who can barricade his emotions and proceed with reason in difficult situations.

Jem is embarrassed of his dad Atticus because he is older than all the other dads. Jem's dad really can't play or do anything because he isn't as young as he was, he thinks that with his dad not being able to do anything he sees him boring and because he is nearly in his fifties. During the novel Jem changes his perspective towards Atticus when he kills a rabid dog and he found out that he was once a one shot Finch. Jem felt amazed at what his father could do with just one shot so he started to think of him like the cool dad and since then Jem admires him on what he does.

During the 1930’s coloured people were thought less of than others. White people were considered on a higher class than coloured people such as Africans and for that reason, they were treated unfairly and unjustly. Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird tells us a story of racism observed from the perspective of a young girl Scout Finch in Maycomb, Alabama. Harper Lee conveys a powerful message on racism and prejudice, as proven by the racial separation, false accusations, and gender stereotypes.

Stereotypes have been around for hundreds of years, from the “savages” in 1492 after european colonization, to gender and racial stereotypes during the 1930s, and many more still in place today. Everyone has to deal with them, and we all do it in a different way. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee includes characters that break stereotypes to show how they are restricting and harmful.