Examine How Lee Presents the Character of Atticus in to Kill a Mockingbird

There are countless themes that are in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee, but the themes that stand out most are bravery, stereotyping, and the most essential theme courage. "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 you see it through no matter what."

Atticus is a mockingbird for the Maycomb society. He has the correct attitude towards different races. In Tom Robinson’s case, he provides strong arguments Tom’s accusation and proves that Tom Robinson did not rape and harm Mayella Ewell. Even though Atticus failed to restore Tom back to Tom’s family due to racial discrimination existed commonly in Maycomb in 1930s, Atticus leads the society to take the first small step in the right direction in the battle against racial discrimination, according to the quote stated by Miss Maudie, “Atticus Finch won’t win, he can’t

A third characteristic of Atticus is his daring personality. The very thought of defending a black man’s case was socially unacceptable during the 1940s, much less encouraged for a lawyer. However, Atticus is bold enough to do what is right and take the chance. He very well knows from the start that the jury’s prejudice would outweigh the evidence in the end, but he decides to risk it. Another example of his daring character is Atticus’s parenting style. He does the best that he can as a sole parent for Jem and Scout, despite the frowns of social disapproval that his methods bring. Even Atticus’s sister, Alexandra, criticizes him because he does not use a firm hand with them. A third example of his daring personality is when he shoots the mad dog. Atticus even says, “I haven’t shot a gun in thirty years” (Lee 127) but still takes a risk in order to

Within Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”, Lee creates a sense of unconformity through the characterization of Atticus being lawful and supportive on the idea of mutual concessions which separates him from the social norms of being a man in Maycomb.

To continue, Atticus’s peaceful nature, truly makes him the standout role model in Macomb County. While being a father of two children or a lawyer in Macomb County, Atticus Finch resembles a peaceful soul no matter what he is doing. For example, when Atticus lost the jury on the Tom Robinson case he remained calm and collected, as Harper Lee wrote, “Atticus put his hand on Tom’s shoulder as he whispered. Atticus took his coat off the back of his chair and pulled it over his shoulders.” Here Harper Lee is portraying a peaceful character, in how Atticus found out that he lost the jury he did not fight and get ugly, but

While numerous citizens in Maycomb express how “Atticus[‘s] aim to defend him. [Is] what [we] don’t like about it”(Lee, 218) and that he has “got everything to lose from this... I mean everything.”(Lee, 195) Atticus full heartedly stands behind the fact that if he didn’t defend the Tom Robinson case he “couldn’t hold up [his] head in town... [and] couldn’t represent this county in the legislature.”(Lee, 100) This reveals the moral importance this trial means to Atticus, as he believes that everyone should be treated equally, regardless of their skin colour as “men are not to be trusted around women—black or white... a truth that applies to...no particular race of men.”(Lee, 273) Atticus’s personal definition of courage is revealed to Jem after he is forced to read to Mrs Dubose for an entire month. As defined by Atticus, real courage is “when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.”(Lee, 149) Similarly, Atticus’s raw motives concerning the Tom Robinson trial run on the evident fact that he knew he was “licked a hundred years before start[ing]”(Lee, 101) Mr Robinson’s trial, but nonetheless defended him to his last breath. Atticus’s definition and actions correspond and show the reader how his values are congruent, no matter the situation. All in all, Atticus’s personal beliefs and values suggest to the reader

Going against the preconceived notions of society can be very challenging. Atticus Finch displays bravery throughout To Kill A Mockingbird by standing up for his beliefs in all aspects of his life. Maycomb is a corrupt town full of preconceived judgements and unjustified assumptions. Rather than be a bystander to the misjudgements of his fellow townspeople, Atticus stays true to himself.

Atticus accepts the Tom Robinson case fully aware of the prejudice, but he finds that if he did not try he would lose important qualities that make up who he is. “...if I didn’t [defend Tom Robinson] I couldn’t hold my head up in this town, I couldn’t represent this town in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again.” (Lee, 100) Atticus proves that ignoring the case would change who he was and make him a disgrace his to profession and the family. His integrity, pride, and honor would be jeopardized, something he cared more about then what other people

Atticus is an important character throughout the novel, he has a large influence of the community of Maycomb County that he is strongly valued in. He is revealed to us through his words and actions as a courageous and unprejudiced man with good values and morals. At the beginning of the novel Atticus Finch takes Tom Robinson’s court case, Tom Robinson is a black member of the Maycomb town who has been accused of rape of Mayella Ewell. In the 1930’s this was a very controversial case for Atticus to be supporting as throughout the community and the Unites States there was a problem of racial inequality. Blacks were not seen to have equal rights as whites and were seen as the lower class and “trash”. Atticus says that “When it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s, the white man always wins”. This shows that although he is exposing himself and his family to the anger of the white community, he would rather stand by his moral values than join the rallying community of racially

Throughout Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, the reader surveys multiple personalities of different characters mentioned. These personalities vary greatly in meaning. In the novel, Lee has emphasized the importance of Atticus. The reader can deduce Atticus’ significance from the emphasis of his loyalty to his work and his family. Furthermore, with evidence of Atticus’ perseverance and experience, the audience can come to the conclusion that Atticus plays a crucial role in clarifying the meaning of the novel.

One of the most moving characters in the 20th century American Literature is Atticus Finch. Because of his significant intelligence, calm wisdom, and admirable behavior, Atticus was respected by everyone in Maycomb, even the poor. Atticus Finch is one of the most authentic and noble characters in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and his character remains, constant throughout To Kill a Mockingbird. He began as a honorable citizen who was admired and respected by his neighbors and even when he lost the trial, but still in the end, he was still looked up to, both of his children and all levels of the community.

Atticus, being a lawyer and trying to help an African American convicted of rape says many things about his work ethic. He stands up for blacks even though it may not be the popular vote. Although many people did not, he does everything possible to try and help Tom prove himself innocent. He tries to teach his kids respect and honesty through his job. One thing he says to help teach them is “Its not okay to hate anybody.”

Atticus Finch is a man who will not let himself be tainted by the opinions of other people. It was against common culture to simply let a black man be guilty of any crime in this time of the novel, however Atticus knows that the justice system should be fair to every man. He uses all of his time and energy to make sure that Tom Robinson has the fairest trial that he can possibly have. At one point Scout finally makes a huge realization: “Then Mr. Underwood’s meaning became clear: Atticus had used every tool available to free men to save Tom Robinson, but in the secret courts of men’s hearts Atticus had no case“ ( 241). This proves that Atticus was determined to fight for what he believed in even though he knew as soon as he was assigned the case he would lose.

Due to racism and the issue of it, finally Atticus was seen as the hero of Maycomb, but at the same time, he was looked down upon due to defending a black man. During the twentieth century and to this day there is a hugely controversial issue on racism, and who or what it affects. Through the book, Atticus is seen as a “racial hero” for supporting Tom Robinson in racial equality and people believed that they could speak or say what they wanted to a black person. As stated he was trying to support Tom and Atticus was the man of the town for trying to stick up for the town. In To Kill a Mockingbird the author tries to embrace the ideas that some people in the South deny their southern way of life and do not like to live in a world of judgment and can not live in the way that people are judged on color (Crespino 81-82). "There’s four kinds of folks in the world. There’s the ordinary kind like us and the neighbors, there’s the kind like the Cunninghams out in the woods, the kind like the Ewells down at the dump, and the Negroes” (Lee 258). This point goes back to racism and how the town is treated and how the people of the

Atticus Finch is a very respected man in Maycomb. He shows respect to a lot of people