Character Analysis Of Atticus Finch In 'To Kill A Mockingbird' By Harper Lee

In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee presents Atticus Finch as a principled lawyer, committed but single father to Scout and Jem, and a law-abiding citizen. Atticus is a respectable gentleman in society and a role model for his children. Throughout the book we see evidence of his honorable intentions, though he doesn’t seem to reap the rewards. He is morally upstanding, even-keeled, and daring. Because of these things, Atticus is a man who deserves great respect and admiration.

In the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee gives us the character Atticus Finch to give us an example of what courage is through symbolism, pathos, and irony. In this analysis I will talk about about how Atticus’s actions and words all seem to try to teach us something, and that something is courage. We can see the biggest example of Atticus’s courage when he has to talk about Tom Robinson’s case or when he talked to the kids about what Mrs. Dubose was trying to do before her death. Atticus’s courage is the type that allows him to do what he thinks is right even if people don’t agree with him or if it seems hopeless to try. Atticus is also seen trying to pass down his courage and wisdom to his kids throughout the story.

A character trait is the aspect of a person's behavior and attitudes that make up their personality. The novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is known to have strong characterization. One of the most important characters is Atticus Finch, a highly respected lawyer in Macomb County and a father to Jem and Scout Finch. Two major character traits Atticus truly represents is compassion and understanding.

“ People generally see what they look for and hear what they listen for.” by Atticus Finch. Atticus Finch is just one example used by the Author Harper Lee in the book To Kill a Mockingbird. There are many powerful people in this book but some of the best are the quiet but impactful ones. They have many opportunities to speak up and share their opinions like everyone else but instead choose to stand out and say it in their own ways. The quietest people are often the most powerful. Some people might disagree and say because they are quit they don’t have anything good or powerful to say.

Despite living in Alabama in the 1930s, Atticus Finch expects his children to treat everyone- regardless of race or class- with respect and dignity. There are many opportunities for Jem and Scout to concede to the Southern stereotypes of the 1930s, but with the guidance of Atticus and their housekeeper, Calpurnia, the children challenge the common stereotypes of the South- with some lessons learned. These stereotypes are based principally on race and social class. Several cases of these stereotypes arise throughout To Kill a Mockingbird. Many racial and social class stereotypes come out during Tom Robinson’s trial as well as during the children’s everyday lives.

around and go home again, Walter,’ Atticus said pleasantly” (Lee 201-202). Atticus stands up for

“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.” This quote by Atticus Finch, a character in To Kill a Mockingbird highlights one of the reasons why Atticus is honorable. Atticus Finch possesses admirable qualities that can inspire the readers. Atticus has a cool-temper and he never gets angry. He always does his best to pick the right choice, no matter the circumstances. He is courageous in numerous manners as well. These are only a few of the countless, respectable characteristics that Atticus portrays in this novel.

Atticus shows courage because because when Bob Ewell threatens to kill him Atticus does not react with the slightest bit of fear. For example “Mr.Bob Ewell stopped Atticus on the post corner spat on his face and told him he’d get him if it took the rest of his life”(Lee 217). The quote explains to the reader how Bob is a bad man and that Atticus is a good fair man.

Also to use your words to show courage. He also says that no one knows what another person thinks or feels until you see things from their point of view such as stepping into someone’s shoes or skin to truly see and feel what they do. Another thing Atticus tells Jem is "There's a lot of ugly things in this world, son. I wish I could keep 'em all away from you. That's never possible."(chp. 13) I think this is a good quote because it is the truth and it takes courage to tell and teach your children that the world isn’t perfect, and its not just good things all the time. He teaches his children to respect themselves and others because it will get you far in life and you will be more successful. One example he uses to tell them is when Mrs. Dubose is going to die because she stopped taking her medication to break her addiction, but fails because it controlled her body. When this happens Atticus says "Courage is not a man with a gun in his hand. It's knowing you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do."(pg 149) I use this quote again because I think it is an excellent quote because it shows that Mrs. Dubose knew that she wouldn’t survive without her medication but that didn’t stop her from trying to do without it and that is true courage.

To Kill a Mockingbird Essay To be a mockingbird means to be selfless, caring, kind and to keep your morals in all situations. Tom, Atticus and Arthur Radley from the Book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, are mockingbird characters and show it all throughout the book. Atticus Finch, many times over he proves to be unlike the rest of the Maycomb community. When he defends a black man in trial, although there is a large stigma around being a “negro lover”, he also refuses to use his gun skills in front of his children, reason being he wants to set the example that courage is not a man with a gun but someone with stamina to do what’s right. So he tells Jem, “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.

Atticus displays his ability to understand others perspectives, as well as his own. His values do not diminish under the actions of others and more importantly, he enforces these values onto his children. Furthermore, despite being called names by Ms. Dubose, Atticus teaches Jem what it truly means to be a courageous individual. When Jem tells Atticus what Ms. Dubose thinks about him, Atticus does not let it affect him to show Jem “what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand” (128). When Atticus is being put down by others, he maintains a strong stance about what true courage is.

When Atticus said this to Scout he proves that even though it would be nearly impossible to win, he is going to try his hardest anyway knowing what people will think of him. That shows me the courage he has because he is going to fight for what he wants knowing he has no chance of winning, he does it because it is what he thinks is right. Another reason Atticus has courage is because when Miss Maudie was talking about Atticus to Jem and Scout after the trial she wanted the kids to appreciate Atticus. Miss Maudie wanted Jem and Scout to realize how much the kids should value Atticus by saying to them, “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” (288). Miss Maudie can see all the courage that Atticus has and wants Jem and Scout to see that too. Miss Maudie knows Atticus is different because he loves everyone no matter the color of their skin, and the majority of the people in Maycomb feel the opposite. It takes courage to do what everyone is fearful to do. In addition, the

Slaves were able to connect, and change the hearts ofthose who might have supported slavery, but by people reading their passionate stories, they became sympathetic. This account shows that passion and hard work can help anyone succeed their goals, including showing the government the God-given rights everyone deserves! In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus chooses to uphold his rights in order for Tom Robinson to have a chance at his own. One of the characters asks, “If you shouldn’t be defending him, then why are you doing it?” (Lee 100). Atticus responds, “If I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head… I couldn’t represent this country in legislature” (Lee 100). In this instance, Lee uses Atticus as an example of how citizens should uphold their rights, even if they are doing some work solely for the benefit of others’ rights. Today, we can guarantee the rights of ourselves and others around us by acting justly, and standing up for right, even when everyone is telling us we’re

As we were reading to kill a mockingbird I realized that Atticus Finch Is a really great father and lawyer. What really caught my eye in the book was when they accused Tom Robinson of allegedly raping Mayella Ewell. The fact that Tom Robinson only has one good arm and is left handed when Mayella Ewell had punch marks on her along with her neck being choked, all the evidence that Atticus presented showed that Tom Robinson was innocent. And then Tom Robinson ends up being guilty and what happened to him at the kind of end wasn't right and all Atticus wanted was justice and what end up happening to Tom Robinson was very unfair, just because of his skin color. If I was in Atticus position I would be disappointed because you would think people would see all the injustice happening at this time. And would see that what was happening ruined his life and they wouldn't like if that happen to them.

Atticus mentioned that he wants Scout and Jem to be raised without bitterness and with the usual maycomb disease. Atticus raised his kids without stereotypes, and racism fogging up their way of perceiving people. Most white people won't be happy about spending time with a colored woman and Scout is more than happy to hang out with her when Jem wants to be left alone and in church. Sout doesn't see things like racism to Calpurnia. Scout even thought about saying that Calpurnia was a lady as well when their Aunt said she needed to learn how to be a lady. Scout also doesn't realize the family may have financial troubles as she had to ask Atticus about it. Her aunt on the other hand is racist as shown with the family reunion and how their own kin