Character Analysis Of Atticus In 'To Kill A Mockingbird'

After Scout confronts Atticus about “defending negros”, Atticus replies on how this decision is for his own dignity: “‘For a number of reasons’, said Atticus. ‘The main one is, if I didn’t, I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this county in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again.’” (123; ch.9). Out of the lots of prejudice in Maycomb County, Atticus is one that looks passed race and gender. He holds equal respect for those who abide by the laws of being human. Not much of population consist of people like Atticus, who is not just fighting for Tom for the sake of the town, but for his own virtue. It takes a lot of integrity to stand up for what is right during that time and that is exactly what Atticus is making an effort to do.

In the case of to Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee crafts a clear idea of family dynamic between the main characters, using the parent-child relationship between Atticus, Jem, and Scout as the main example. Atticus, who raised Scout and Jem as a single parent, passes his morals to his children in order to help them see the world in a more productive and open minded way. While talking to Scout about how to better get along with people, Atticus explains to her 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). This advice from Atticus affects Scout and her outlook on how she has dealt with others, and this change is how her family, mainly Atticus, impacts her and makes her a better person. This family influence also applied to Jem. For Example, when Bob Ewell dies and Heck Tate is trying to explain to Atticus why Jem should not come forward as guilty, Atticus tells Heck Tate that he needs Jem to be treated fairly: “ ‘If this things hushed up, it would be a simple denial to Jem of the way I've raised him. Sometimes I think I’m a total failure of a parent, but I’m all they've got. Before Jem looks at anyone else he looks at me, and I’ve tried to live so that I can look squarely back at him…” (Lee 366). Atticus wants Jem to be treated like an adult because Atticus raised Jem to take responsibility for his actions, and although he questions how he raised Jem and Scout, he wants to stay committed to what he is trying to teach them. This family relationship shows how Atticus taught his children, but also

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.

Atticus teaches scout and Jem self respect by setting examples for them. When Atticus decides to take the Tom Robinson case he teaches his kids self respect. After asked why he took the case he said that Atticus has been asked to defend Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman. It is a case he cannot hope to win, but he tells Scout that he must argue it to uphold his sense of justice and self-respect. He also shows scout and jem self respect by not showing off his God given gift. He taught Jem and Scout to have thick skin. He made sure to have them not allow someone to get under their skin. An example of a moment where Jem or Scout have to have a lot of patience for someone is when was throwing around the N word, tho she retaliated she didn't pay it that much attention. Another example is again when Atticus took the Tom Robinson case.

For example, Atticus explains to Scout that other people's perspectives are just as important as hers. In the book on page 39 Atticus tells Scout “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.” Atticus explains that if you don't know what a person has been through and what it is like to be like them, you shouldn’t judge what and who they are. Also on page 205, Atticus gives the reader an important lesson about being polite. It says “Atticus had said it was polite thing to talk to people about what they were interested in not about what you were interested in”. This shows that it is better to be nice and polite and not talk about yourself all the time. If we didn't teach this in schools, kids would not learn that it's not okay to be rude to people and learn that other people are just as important as you

If you were a parent would you want the best for your kids? Would you want to teach them to search out for the true meaning of dignity and respect? This was the goal of one father, Atticus Finch. Being a nearly fifty-year-old man with extremely young children he wanted to share his wisdom and firsthand experiences with his children to shape them into a respectable young man and woman. Throughout his life, Atticus is taught many experiences himself about not judging someone, and to stand up for the helpless and defenseless. Some important morals that he carried through to teach his children in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird is to never judge someone by their social class or race, and to fight for the justice of all the people of Maycomb.

First, Jem and Scout learn that things or people aren’t always what they seem to be. There are two minor characters that most help to emphasize this important lesson. To start, there is Ol’ One Shot. In the novel, Scout and Jem jump to the conclusion that Atticus is incapable of doing anything “cool” like the fathers of their schoolmates’ can. Because of Atticus’ old age, the children take notice that he never plays football, fishes, hunts, etc. However, after Atticus is handed a rifle, they realize what he can do. Miss Maudie shouts, “I saw that, One-Shot Finch” (128), and later tells Jem, “...Atticus Finch was the deadest shot in Maycomb County in his time” (129). By this statement, and by hearing about Ol’ One Shot, the children learned that they do not know every little detail about everyone, and that they shouldn’t make judgements so immediately like they did. Jem and Scout did not know about Ol’ One Shot, but once they found out, their opinions about their father changed. Thus, they took in that people aren’t always what they seem to be. The next character

    To begin,  Jem and Scout have a father named Atticus who is a lawyer and has such a good character, that even he defends colored people for crimes even though most know that if a black person is tried in court, not at anytime did he or she receive a fair and unprejudiced decision toward their fate.  Based on Atticus and his overall character and actions, one can say that one of the most impactful and poignant lessons that Atticus ingrains into his children’s brains is to always live humbly towards life and live positively and politely.  Several instances of Atticus being reserved and respectful and most importantly impacting Jem and Scout would be when he shot a dog with rabies when nobody else particularly wanted too and shot it dead between the eyes and never told anyone about being “the best shot in town”.  It most left Jem in utter awe as Miss Maudie Atkinson, a neighbor of the

"First of all … if you can 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 their point of view- until you climb in their skin and walk around in it (page 39)" This quote from a conversation between Atticus and Scout shows how he believes in the idea of widening your perspective, and being able to show others what it's like to see things in a new light. Atticus is a father of two, so it's very important for him to give his children lessons that they will be able to keep with them for their entire lives. " Simply because we're licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win. (page 101)"

Atticus teaches Scout to always be forgiving of people that she does not particularly like. For example, at the beginning of the book, when Scout is complaining about how her new teacher Miss. Caroline whipped her, Atticus says that “You never really understand

Atticus preached the wisdom of sympathy and understanding to Jem and Scout and never holds grudges against anyone in Maycomb. Atticus was older than many other fathers, which embarrassed Jem and Scout, but Atticus’s wise parenting quotes, “Before Jem looks at anyone else he looks at me, and I’ve tried to live so I can look squarely back at him,” which ultimately wins their respect for him. Another respectable thing he taught his children was how to be literate. He recognizes the importance of teaching Jem and Scout how to respect others and learn about courage. An important example, when Mr. Dubose was dying, he made Jem go read to her, which leads up to a crucial lesson about strength and courage by stating “I wanted you to see what real courage is…it’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through, no matter what.” The most important aspect in the major themes in To Kill a Mockingbird, was that he didn’t just tell his children things he wanted them to consider important, he actually lives according to such lessons. For example, even though he knows he will not win the case and is “licked” he goes ahead and pursues it anyway. As a father his most important role seems to be as a guidance above all else and his children, much like the rest of the community respect him

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

The valuable lessons that Atticus teaches and demonstrates to his children (Jem and Scout) in the novel To Kill a Mocking Bird are very crucial. Atticus teaches Jem and Scout to put themselves into other people’s skin before they pre-judge a person. Atticus also teaches the two children compassion and forgiveness. The children learn an important lesson not to kill a mocking bird during the novel from Atticus. Throughout the novel several incidents happen where Atticus teaches Scout and Jem these very valuable lessons.

Throughout the story, it becomes obvious that Atticus is a good teacher to his children Jem and Scout. In the beginning, he tells Scout that “‘You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view’”(Excerpt 1). This shows that Atticus wants his children to try to understand others better, and he is teaching them important life skills. He also tells Scout that “‘you’ll have to keep your head about far worse things’”(Excerpt 5). Atticus lets Scout know that things can always be worse, and he teaches her that in the future she will need to keep her head and resolve situations in well thought out and

In this novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird”, mockingbirds are portrayed as generous, kind, and innocent. In comparison, both birds and humans sing. In a way, mockingbirds are humans too. They all sing their heart out and enjoy life. The characters I chose were Atticus, Scout, and Boo. If these characters could sing a song in the novel one may wonder what song would match their characteristics and qualities. In the case, of Atticus Finch, he is respected by mostly everyone in Maycomb because of the intelligence and wisdom of his character. Since its the age of racialism, Atticus was asked to defend a black man. He agreed to defend this man, he has sympathy for black people but some of the townspeople of Maycomb scorn him for his decision. But Atticus