Essay Hero, Mind Reader, Philosopher, Father: Atticus Finch

Although they are critiqued, some people do whatever they can do to improve our society. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch proves himself to be a hero. This small-town lawyer exhibits bravery, strength, and modesty when faced with objection during Maycomb’s quarrel for justice. Without a doubt, Atticus proves that anybody can stand for what he or she believes is right.

In Harper Lee`s astounding novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch is the glue that holds the County of Maycomb together. Atticus Finch is a lawyer, widower, father and the pure definition of a fair, patient, and courageous human being, who is willing to step out into the dark, unfair world of racism, discrimination, and prejudice, to lend a hand to any victim in need. No matter what race, gender, culture, or religion you have been blessed with, you can count on the Atticus Finch of Maycomb County to be there. Atticus was revealed by his own words, what the people in this story say about him, and his actions. He is shown as the spark of justice, the sign of patience, and the ray of courage in this blind world that is flooded by the

Atticus practices the ethic of sympathy and understanding that he preaches to Scout and Jem and never holds a grudge against the people of Maycomb. He finds something to admire in everyone he meets. He recognizes that people have both good and bad qualities, and he is determined to admire the good while understanding and forgiving the bad. For example, in Chapter 19, Atticus chooses to respect the Ewell’s in the courtroom, who are otherwise seen as horrible people. “Well, Mr. Finch didn't act that way to Mayella and old man Ewell when he cross-examined them.

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.

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.

Even though the odds go against him, Atticus Finch bravely stands up to his beliefs and morals. Futhermore,

Atticus Finch is remarkably courageous throughout the novel. Atticus does not retaliate when Bob Ewell spits in his face, goes to Tom’s cell knowing there would be a mob, and does his best in court to exonerate Tom. Firstly, Atticus does not retaliate when Bob Ewell spits in his face. Atticus says “ ‘...if spitting in my face saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that’s something I’ll gladly take’ ” (Lee 218). Atticus is being disrespected in one of the worst ways by a man he could destroy, but knows that he was helping a victim of abuse, Mayella, so he does not make things worse by retaliating. Secondly, Atticus knows there is a mob coming, but nevertheless goes to Tom Robinson’s cell to defend him. Atticus knows the possibly dangerous mob is coming, with Scout observing “He seemed to be expecting them” (150). However, Atticus recognizes that he is Tom’s only hope, and utilizes his immense courage to face the mob. Thirdly, Atticus does his best to defend Tom in court. As Scout tells us, “Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed” (241). Atticus knows from the beginning he has next to no chance to win the trial, but still tries for Tom’s sake, for the other black people in the community, and for the chance he could appeal it and change laws for the good of African Americans. Atticus is an amazing example of courage in the face of adversity for his actions in To Kill A Mockingbird.

In short, Atticus Finch was a decent human being in a time when they were few and far between. He was unique in the way he taught his kids, the way he treated people, and the way he practiced law. He always kept in mind his quote, "You never really understand a person (...) until you climb into his skin and walk around in it" (39). It's no wonder why he is such a beloved character in Harper Lee's novel, To Kill a

Mr. Finch in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is a hero due to his honesty, his courage, and his want to persevere in hard times for all. Atticus Finch must be honest and stay true to his word by being the man of better judgment. He must make hard decisions without bias toward another group or person.

To kill a Mockingbird is one of America's favorite books. It is a nobel that everyone should read at least once. It is a great story full of wonderful characters, but one character stands out from the rest, Atticus Finch. Throughout the novel he is ridiculed for doing the right thing, but they still hold high respect for the man that he is.

One assertion about Atticus Finch is that he is a courageous man, who believes in what is right even when it may not be popular. In chapter 17-20, he proves that he is a courageous man when he’s forced with a court case, in which he has to defend Tom Robinson. A black man that was accused of raping a young white girl. The case occurs in the small town Maycomb, where the racial tensions are high. Atticus is a white man and since he is lawyer he has to defend Tom, he knows he cannot win, but he does what is right and goes through with it. That’s why he is courageous, willing to go against all the odds, and do what’s right. Another reason that Atticus is courageous is when Mrs. Dobouse says, “Atticus is a niger lover” (100). This also shows that everyone in the town is against him. They were all once his friends and now because of him defending a black man, now all of the town is against him.

Atticus Finch As A Hero     When Harper Lee was writing her first book “To Kill A Mockingbird” I doubt she thought it would ever grow to be as popular as it is now. “To Kill A Mockingbird” won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1961 and the Quill Award for Audio Books in 2007. Due to it’s popularity, there is a lot of room left for arguments and controversies. Such as on racism, politics, social structures and just the way people go about living their life. In “The Rise and Fall of Atticus Finch” written by Christopher Metress, he claims that Atticus Finch is not the hero everybody makes him out to be.

Even though not everyone is always right, Atticus Finch is a genuine, moral literary character because he knows that you must understand a person and know them before you can judge them, instead of always trying to do what other people are doing or what they believe, he does what he believes is the right thing, and he teaches Scout and Jem important life lessons. To Kill a Mockingbird is a very compassionate and emotional book that explains important life lessons. In this book, the character Atticus Finch shows the reader different viewpoints of his life, which he teaches to his children.

Atticus Finch is a very moral character in the novel in that he does what he thinks is right, not what others think is right. He takes every opportunity to try and pass on his morals and values to his children, Jem and Scout. He does this by answering their questions honestly and treating them like adults and with respect, yet he still recognizes that they are still children and are bound to make silly mistakes. Atticus shows his commitment and morality in the novel by representing a convicted black person, Tom Robinson. In the courtroom, Atticus is polite and respectful towards Bob and Mayella Ewell. Atticus only really lectures his children on the immorality of taking advantage of those less fortunate and this is a philosophy or value that he abides by, even in the animal world, by refusing to hunt. He is a man of conscience in that he values justice and believes that people should only get what they deserve. He doesn’t particularly life the law of crime yet when presented with the opportunity to defend Tom Robinson, he takes it. From the beginning, Atticus knows that he won’t win the case but that doesn’t stop him from putting in as much effort as he can into Tom’s defence. What makes him even more of a man to admire is that he doesn’t represent Tom because he is black and perhaps pities him, he defends Tom because Atticus knows that he is

There is always someone who will push against the current. The character, Atticus Finch, in the fictional novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is one of these people. Atticus plays a major role in the story, becoming the voice of reason and the symbol for justice. Atticus is a single parent trying to raise his children right