The quietest people are often the most powerful Society today is quick to stereotype those with a quiet disposition as boring, hermits, misanthropes, inferior, self-conscious, serious, sensitive, shy, lack sociability, lack assertiveness and are considered a ‘second-class’ personality trait. However, characters such as Atticus Finch in ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ published by Harper Lee in 1960 and an influential individual named J.K. Rowling prove these accusations wrongs. Without these quiet contributors, our society would not be blessed with inventions such as the Law of Gravity, Harry potter, Chopin’s Nocturne, Peter pan, Charlie Brown and Google. Those who are quiet usually are thinkers, reflective, concentrators, dislike conflict, enjoy …show more content…
He had a premonition and foresight into the consequences of his actions in defending an innocent African American man, takes responsibility and preventative measure to protect those around him. He sat outside all night solitarily reading and expecting an angry mob’s assault. Atticus was involved in an altercation where Bob Ewell spat tobacco and threatened him while he simply kept calm, wiped his face with a clean handkerchief and adamantly endured the insults. Ewell realised that he failed to provoke Atticus into a fight and claims he was “too proud to fight” and a “nigger-lovin’ bastard” to which Atticus responds, “No, too old” and walks away with quiet dignity. This is reflected when Atticus enlightens Scout, “I do my best to love everybody...I'm hard put, sometimes—baby, it's never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is, it doesn't hurt you." He has the powerful quality of integrity and was know as the man who was “the same in his house as he is on the public …show more content…
It helped rekindle the world’s love for reading and encourage many to pursue writing. J.K. Rowling is a role model for young women, she gained recognition from her intelligence and creativity instead of physical features. She encourages women to pursue their dreams through their hardships,have determination, to express imagination, overcome failures and to excel in areas where sexist opinions are still held. This is demonstrated in her quote “Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life”. She also promotes generosity and humility through her donations to many charities and auctions. In October 2010, J.K. Rowling was presented with the title the “Most Influential Woman in Britain” by leading magazine editors. She supported charities including ‘Comic Relief’, ‘One Parent Families’, ‘Multiple Sclerosis Society of Great Britain’ and ‘Lumos’ (formerly the Children's High-Level
In the book To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus Finch is a lawyer and father of two children. He is a very wise man. “You never really understand a person from his point of view --until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” (Lee 31). This is a quote from Atticus that really sticks the entire book.
Not every girl enjoys doing boyish things. Jean Louise Finch, however, preferred beating someone up than playing dolls and having tea parties. Needless to say, from that, she acquired a rather rough and bold personality. All of these added up, Jean Louise, better known as Scout to friends and family, was a very tomboyish, bold, and worrisome southern girl. Even though she tried to be a young lady, her real self overpowered her efforts more than once. still need another sentence with no more be verbs
Atticus tackles a situation that many would avoid. Defending an African American man during the time of segregation. Although he is very much aware of this fact, Atticus still takes on the challenge. “Scout, you aren’t old enough to understand some things yet, but there’s been some high talk around town to the effect that I shouldn’t do much about defending this man.” (86). Atticus states this fact to scout so that he may understand that Atticus is practically defending Tom against the whole town. Although he’s outnumbered by townspeople, Atticus courageously still decides to defend Tom Robertson; even in the face of uncertain failure.
To confirm Scout’s thoughts on Maycomb’s citizens as being different than they portray, she goes through a heart-stopping event. After the trial, Mr. Ewell was upset with Atticus for Atticus had tried to pin the rape on Mr. Ewell. In Mr. Ewell’s mind, he had to get back at Atticus some way in order to ‘teach him a lesson’ even if it meant risking his own life. One evening as Jem and Scout were walking home, something spine-chilling took place. “Bob Ewell’s lyin’ on the ground under that tree down yonder with a kitchen knife stuck up under his ribs. He’s dead, Mr. Finch.” (357). Scout’s life had flashed before her eyes. One minute her and Jem are wandering home from school and the next they’re being chased down by Bob Ewell. For two young kids
When Atticus defended Tom Robinson during the trial, he said many things that are true about Bob Ewell, but that disgraced him. All Atticus wanted to do was to protect anyone he could from Bob and shed some light on the things he had done. " So if spitting in my face and threatening
“Finally, Atticus displayed the principle of nonviolence, years before Martin Luther King Jr., when he refused to respond violently after the racist Maycomb spat in his face”(“The Redemption”). This demonstrates how Atticus displayed to Bob Ewell that he was the bigger person because after the trial Bob Ewell spat in Atticus’s face because Atticus accused Bob of raping his daughter Mayella which could have been true. The reason Bob Ewell spat in Atticus’s face was not because he was defending a black man in court, but because Bob Ewell felt as though Atticus was trying to embarrass him in front of everyone in the court. Shortly after court was over Bob Ewell spat in Atticus’s face Atticus did not spit back nor did he react violently back to what Bob Ewell did. Atticus said he would rather take all of the physical harm if it means Bob won’t hurt anyone else.
Bob Ewell was infuriated with Atticus after he defends a black man, and causes Bob Ewell to lose his job. Bob then cursed at Atticus and spat on him as a result. With that being said, Bob Ewell is very hostile in this type of situation, but Atticus does not do anything to him when he challenged Atticus to a fight. Atticus claims to Jem, “So if spitting on my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that’s something I will gladly take.” (Lee 211). Atticus tells Scout that walking away from a fight stops the violence. Atticus is not retaliating after Bob spits on his face because it protects his children. Even though Bob wanted to fight with him, Atticus wanted to take the blame because it is harder to ignore people if you fight with them.
Ewell. When Mr. Ewell threatens him, he thinks of it as a good thing because it saves Mayella Ewell from another beating (Lee 9). He also thinks that in the future, white people will pay for how they treated black people and hopes that it does not happen in his children’s time because he does not want it to affect them (Lee 10). He also believes that if he does not help Tom Robinson with his case in court, he cannot ever go back to church or ask Jem and Scout to mind him ever again because God’s law says to be kind to all even enemies (Lee 5). Atticus is very kind to everyone he meets, even if he or she does not deserve
Many people have some role model in their life. In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, a lawyer named Atticus Finch displays a true role model to all in Macomb County. In To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee portrays the real role model that all should recognize and desire to follow. When in the courtroom or with his family, Atticus Finch resembles a good-natured man by heart. With his self-sacrificing nature, Atticus shows Macomb county residents what it means to give wholeheartedly to others despite who they are. Along with his self-sacrificing nature, Atticus displays a peaceful attitude despite any difficult circumstances he may face in his daily life. Finally, Atticus shows Macomb county how to think with a positive mindset. Weather
People can often be harsh and cruel to one another, Atticus Finch a fictional character from the novel "To Kill a Mocking Bird" always seems to find the light in the darkness, he looks at people differently than a normal townsman would. He cares about every man and women and especially his children. Even though Atticus may look at everyone equal many other people may not think the same about him for which when he took tom Robinsons case many people frowned upon him. Atticus is a brave, forgiving and open minded. Atticus shows a strong amount of bravery throughout the novel, one particular part that stands out is when Atticus, scout and Jen went to tom Robinsons house to talk about the case, bob ewell followed them intoxicated and could have caused a lot of trouble is Atticus did not show up and made him go away “can you get my dad”(Lee 156).
In a world of racial discrimination, Atticus faces immense opposition when he advocates the innocence of an accused black man. Atticus even intercepts a drunken mob in order to impede their attempt to injure Tom Robinson. However, in doing this dangerous act, he nearly forfeited his own life. In addition, during the trial, Atticus even made the audacious act of accusing the Mr. Bob Ewell of abusing his daughter. This, in turn, evoked Mr. Ewell to spit in his face saying, “I’d get you if it took the rest of my
Atticus believes that Bob Ewell has a minute amount of human decency, even though he does not. Atticus thinks that Bob Ewell already released all his anger on Atticus. Hence, Atticus Finch underestimates Bob Ewell’s capabilities to keep a grudge towards Atticus’s family. Atticus is mistaken, and Bob Ewell assaults Jem and Scout, nearly killing them. Therefore, Atticus is “too good” and idealistic, being flawed in that way. Atticus Finch has valiant qualities of a hero, but what nearly topples him in the end is his one and only flaw - his naïveté and idealism, caused by his determination to practice what he preaches, that there is good in every person. The most important aspect of Atticus Finch’s heroism, which defines one of the major themes in To Kill a Mockingbird, is his relentless efforts to mold the minds of the people around him for the betterment of
Some of the most influential figures who have contributed to society are authors. One in particular that has affected society greatly is Julie Anne Peters. Peters has written twenty novels that describe the troubles different people go through from books about being suicidal to those of being apart of the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning) community. With each novel comes a lesson that stupendously impacts the reader. Julie Anne Peters has influenced society in the greatest of ways from just writing inspiring stories that show what bullying and sexual harassment can cause.
When Bob Ewell first takes the stand it is obvious to all that he is a wasted human being (Lee 230). Harper Lee crafts his image as a man who has no purpose in life, a drunken individual with flagrant disrespect for his own children. But this same image of Mr. Ewell asks the reader for empathy. Initially, one detests him. How could he risk a man’s life simply to hide the fact that he beat his daughter? When Atticus defends Mr. Robinson, he makes this moral dilemma clear to everyone inside the courthouse. But after the trial, Atticus understands that he has ruined this man’s reputation for life. Because he understands Bob Ewell’s unfortunate circumstances, he feels no hatred when the man spits upon him. Atticus’s principled stance even applies to men like Hitler. When Scout asks “But it’s okay to hate Hitler [sic]?” after school one day, Atticus responds: “It is not. It’s not okay to hate anybody” (Lee 330). This word of wisdom comes from Atticus understanding that Hitler has his own personal
In recent literary history, perhaps the strongest contender for the one character that has had the greatest influence on a generation is Atticus Finch, father of the protagonist in “To Kill A Mockingbird”. Both as a father, and a lawyer, he has served, and still today serves as a pillar of righteousness and morality. The ability for his morality to translate to all people, across ages, races, and cultures, is a feat preformed by Harper Lee in her masterpiece, “To Kill A Mockingbird”. She establishes Atticus Finch as the moral center of the novel by juxtaposing his actions and the relationships with those of the majority of Maycomb. In doing so, she has made him a cultural, and oftentimes personal icon.