How Does Atticus Show Integrity In To Kill A Mockingbird

Atticus makes Jem think about how he would feel if he was in Mrs. Dubose place, and what he would do. Mrs. Dubose really did no damage and because of her illness, Atticus makes it clear to Jem that she represents bravery, and that she was tougher than anyone he knew. Day after day, as Jem kept reading to Mrs. Dubose, he felt empathy towards her and matured as a person.

Through use of characters and repeated scenes and concepts, Harper Lee Highlights the importance of integrity in her book, To kill a mockingbird. She explores the aspect of integrity through different characters, in particular, Atticus, Scout and Calpurnia. Integrity is developed with age and maturity and the character of Scout supports this statement throughout the book and at times, Scout displays a lack of integrity and experiences negative consequences for it. In the dinner table scene, Scout is shown to lack integrity because of her immaturity. Her guest, Walter Cunningham is shamed by Scout when she questions Walter about his eating habits. When Calpurnia takes scout away from the table she says "That boy's yo comp'ny and if he wants to eat up the table-cloth you let him, you hear?"

Along the story To Kill a Mockingbird we can see the characterization of Atticus Finch, a lawyer, a father and a man that stands up for what is right. In a town where people were lead by racism and discrimination, Atticus fights against it to produce a fair environment for his children. As the book goes on we see many characteristics of Atticus that we can easily compare to the ones presented by Jesus on his time on the world. As well as Jesus, Atticus went against faulty beliefs of people thinking that they are better than others, he showed love and patience to people who didn’t deserve it and defended what is true.

Integrity isn’t a black and white definition, one may think they are doing what is right based off of their own conscience. Different values allow people to have different interpretations of integrity, so multiple “integrities” must exist. One can have passionate feelings about a situation that is viewed as unethical while someone, else can have strong integrity for a case that is seen as moral. However, there are certain qualities that show the strength of the integrity no matter the situation. These qualities are present in the main character’s actions in To Kill a Mockingbird, a historical fiction by Harper Lee. In this book, the Finches, especially Atticus, are faced with the racist society of Maycomb, Alabama because of their opposing moral values. Similarly, in the Power of One, another historical fiction by Bryce Courtenay, PK also goes against a racist society. Everyone around him is taught to dislike the African Americans, however, since he was once in their position when he was younger, experiencing racism, he felt equality between everyone. He built a school against the views of everyone else and didn’t care if he got in trouble for it. Both of their sacrifices are in pursuit of justice and equality and they both disregard the consequences that accompany their actions. Through these books and the character’s actions, an interpretation of integrity can be devised. Integrity is defined as persistently following one’s high ethical and moral standards, regardless of the racist society's pressures and the repercussions one’s opposition leads to.

1) Atticus is an empathetic person who tries to make sure people are treated equally, and in the case of his children, that people should grow up and make a positive difference. Atticus shows his empathy by telling Scout to try to understand what Miss Caroline is going through. Harper Lee is trying to show that with empathy, everyone benefits, and there would be less hate and injustice. Atticus says, “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). Atticus is telling Scout to look at the world through Miss Caroline’s eyes, to see why Miss Caroline reacts the way that she does. Atticus believes that if Scout can see how scared Miss Caroline is, with teaching a new school in a new way, then Scout can understand what makes Miss Caroline act the way that she does. When Scout asks Atticus why he is angering the town by defending Tom Robinson, he says that he must, or else he would no longer be reputable. Atticus says, “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win.” (Lee 101) Atticus leads by example, and that if he did not hold himself to the same standard that he wants Scout and Jem to be at, then he is no better than the rest of the town. He knows that he is going to lose, but wants to show his children that it is important to do the right thing no matter the consequences or result, and

People can be respectful and understanding as well as be courageous. The readers of the fictional novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee see this being portrayed by the character Atticus Finch. Atticus plays a crucial part of the story. Along with guiding Scout Finch through her coming of age. In the story, Scout as well as her brother Jem learn that Atticus is a very respectful person who takes time in understanding them and that his age does not define him because he is very courageous. Throughout the duration of the novel the reader sees the kind of man, father, and lawyer that Atticus truly is. Atticus shows to be a respectful and understanding character as well as be courage.

I believe that the answer to why everyone in the balcony stood up is very complicated. One of the reasons is out of respect. Atticus sacrificed his dignity to take on Tom’s case. He is the best lawyer in town and he was assigned to a Black man's trial. Almost the entire town believes that Atticus made a mistake for standing up for Tom. The town is even going as far as to take it out on Scout and Jem. As a White man standing up for a Black man it has been hard for him. Atticus went over social boundaries to help a man that he knows is innocent. Helping Tom cost Atticus his reputation. The second reason they stood up for Atticus is out of appreciation. When Atticus stood up for Tom, he did something that not many White men would do. Sacrifice

Dubose. Mrs. Dubose was an elderly lady who lived 2 doors north of the finch’s house. Mrs. Dubose had a pure hatred towards Scout and any of the finch family members, except Atticus. She thinks that they are rude and ignorant people. Scout does not like Mrs. Dubose’s attitude. Scout said, “She was vicious. Once she heard Jem refer to our father as “Atticus” and her reaction was apoplectic” (133). In this excerpt, Scout was walking by Mrs. Dubose’s house and attempted to be nice. Scout said,”Hey Mrs. Dubose” (133), Mrs. Dubose responded with a rude and ruthful comment, “Don’t say that to me you ugly girl” (133). Since then, Scout developed hatred and falsely judged Mrs. Dubose. Scout later realized that Mrs. Dubose was facing difficulties, due to being a morphine addict. Scout finally realized that it was Mrs. Dubose’s health that made her so cranky. In the book it said “Jem opened the box. Inside, surrounded by wads of damp cotton, was a white, waxy, perfect condition camellia. It was a snow-on-the-mountain” (148). Mrs. Dubose had asked Jem to read to her every day. In this section, Jem found out the tragic news, of Mrs. Dubose’s death, and she didn’t care too much. However, Mrs. Dubose left a box for him box which contained a flower, a camellia. That was a precious flower and Jem had received it from her because of the kind gesture, of reading to her. Although Mrs. Dubose had said some bad things to Scout and Jem, she

In Harm’s Way. The characters in these novels and play exhibit courage, strength, determination and morality to teach, inspire, and encourage those around them. The qualities of integrity, empathy, and the many aspects of morality are reiterated throughout Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus Finch, a man who possesses all of these attributes, is a prime example of a great leader: showing integrity through prominent rectitude in his daily life.

Atticus believes that everyone, no matter how bad they seem, has some good in them. He displays his views on the town when he declares, “‘Why reasonable people go stark raving mad when anything involving a Negro comes up, is something I don’t pretend to understand’” (Lee 117). At the moment, Maycomb is dealing with a rape case with an African American. Atticus is willing to contradict the prejudiced town’s opinion on this racial issue because he is following his moral values. He hopes people will see situations like these as moral issues instead of racial issues. Atticus wants people to realize that everyone, including those of different social classes and origins has some merit in them worth saving. Atticus sends Jem to apologize to Mrs. Dubose

Having integrity means that you are honest and fair. Being fair means that you see everyone as equal and treat everyone with the same amount of respect. It also means that you have strong moral principles, meaning that you stand up for what you believe in. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Dead Poets Society, and in today’s world there are different people who have many impacts as a positive influence on others. In To Kill a Mockingbird, the main character who has a positive influence on others in his life is Atticus Finch. Atticus finch shows integrity towards his children and also towards Tom Robinson the black man he is working for. Atticus taught his children many valuable life lessons that he thought were needed to live a successful life by using integrity with his words. In the novel when Mrs.Dubose the old women at the end of the street said rude remarks to the children, Atticus reassured the children that they cannot judge a book by it's cover. In other words he told his children that even though she's rude to them, there is usually a reason behind how she acts. Little did the children know that she was addicted to morphine and going through many issues of her own due to her old age. Even though Mrs. Dubose insulted their father many times, he knew that she had her own issues and they shouldn't hold it against her. When Scout brought up the rude remarks Mrs. Dubose was saying about Atticus and standing up

In “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, the fatherly figure of Jem and Scout, Atticus, explains to Scout that Ms. Dubose can voice her crude remarks, however her opinion will not affect the way Atticus wants to act if it meant going against the stereotypes in his time. I strive to become a person like Atticus, who does not alter his morality to fit in with the majority around him because I am always weary of other people’s opinion about me that I cannot live for myself.

However, he is still willing to do so out of his love. Moral education wise, Atticus passes on knowledge of many critical and beneficial ideals to Scout. For example, Atticus makes Scout and Jem read to Ms. Dubose as "punishment" for Jem smashing her flowers. During this period, the children learn a lot about Mrs. Dubose's situation, as well as her underlying character/persona; they realize she is a compassionate, brave, and tenacious woman. (In the end she give Jem the single White Camellia as token of her gratitude.) Afterwards, Atticus tells them "I wanted you to see something about her - I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that it’s a man with a gun in his hand." (Chapter 11, Page 112) Here, and throughout the whole experience he put them through, Atticus is teaching his children about the ideal of courage; it is not simply the use of violence, rather, it is the determination and persistence to succeed even against seemingly insurmountable odds. This is how Atticus shows his love for Scout by educating her in a variety of fields. (And through various methods)

Likewise, Atticus scolds Jem when he goes and cuts off all of Mrs. Dubose's camellia buds. Mrs. Dubose is an old and sick woman who had to take morphine to relieve the pain she was in due to her sickness. However, now, she wants to die clean and no longer take morphine. She has overcome her morphine addiction and has gained Atticus’ respect because of that. Mrs. Dubose is definitely a strong woman, but with different ideals than the Finch’s. She believes that Atticus should not be defending a Negro and says that openly to Jem and Scout. Jem, enraged, cuts off all of her flowers, but learns that this is the wrong thing to do when he gets in trouble for it. Atticus, “held out his other hand; it contained fat camellia buds. ‘Jem,i he said, ‘are you responsible for this?’ ‘Yes sir.’ ‘Why’d you do it?’ Jem said softly, ‘She said you lawed for niggers and trash.’ ‘You did this because she said that?’ Jem’s lips moved, but his, ‘Yes sir,’ was inaudible. ‘Son, I have no doubt that you’ve been annoyed by your contemporaries about me lawing for niggers, as you say, but to do something like this to a sick old lady is

Integrity is a quality that is most important in contributing to a just and equal society. Integrity is a state of being honest and having strong moral conscience. In the book the writer focused on integrity upon various characters but mainly on Atticus; which he was honest about the whole case in defending Tom Robinson. Atticus had displayed integrity various times in the book. He would never go against his integrity but if he did he would never be able to live up to it. Atticus was the type of guy that favored equality and justice; he would always make the choices that would be equal and just. Atticus always made his choices in his right mind of his conscience. Boo Radley had integrity and he had displayed it when he was protecting the kids from Bob Ewell. He was honest and thought of the good morals to help the kids. Mrs Maudie had integrity and she would tell the truth and have good intentions and wouldn't get involved in the gossip around town. She would keep