Atticus Finch is a hero in Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird. The novel covers a span of three years, during which the main characters endure substantial changes. Atticus lives with his son Jem and his daughter Scout in the the small town of Maycomb, Alabama. Atticus raises his children by himself, with the help of some kind neighbors and a housekeeper named Calpurnia. Scout and Jem understand the complexities and differences amongst their neighborhood and town. Unlike most of the citizens in Maycomb, Atticus is different. Although he wasn't seen as a hero during the time the novel took place, his actions are of true heroism. He is a person who is known for certain beliefs and qualities and he is a good-hearted man of strong morals. …show more content…
Atticus stands up to racism, knowing that in doing so, he is exploiting him and his family to troubled times. His moral courage is as strong as his physical courage.
In To kill a mockingbird the courage that Atticus displays in defending Tom Robinson is because of his integrity. Miss Maudie explains to Jem that he stands up for the integrity of Maycomb county. Miss Maudie said "We are so rarely called upon to be Christians, but when we are, we've got men like Atticus to go for us" pg 237 Atticus demonstrated integrity and self-restraint when he walks away from Bob Ewell after he spits in his face. He said “Too old” pg 218 and walked away. Atticus used this situation to teach his children that real strength comes from walking away from a fight instead of making it worse. Another example of Atticus displaying integrity is when he takes it upon himself to tell Helen Robinson that her husband has been shot down trying to escape jail. He could’ve just as easily passed the message onto Calpurnia and told her to say it but he didn’t because of his integrity.
In the novel, Atticus sees past a man's color and looks into the depth of their character. Atticus believes that “you never really understand a person until you consider things from their point of view”. Pg 39 He thinks that everyone is equal and therefore just because Tom Robinson is black, that doesn't mean that he should not defend
The reason that Atticus is defending Tom in which he explained to Scout many times before ; the reason he is defending Tom Robinson is because he believes in justice and that everyone is equal you can just say he believe in equality . He is not just defending Tom because he is black . He told Scout that if he does not defending him he could not be a man that he wants to be he would just be a man without anything : for example we would lack respect for himself . He just would not be the man that he wants to be.
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.
The way he speaks and the amount of thought he puts behind every word he says is proof of how knowledgeable he is. In the novel 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.” This is an important quote to think about while reading the rest of the book because it also applies to Tom Robinson, Mrs. Dubose, and Boo Radley. It shows that Atticus is almost ahead of his time with the way he talks. Atticus' intellect shows in the way he addresses others and answers Scout and Jem's questions, as well as his perception of what others are thinking and how he avoids potentially sticky situations.
Atticus Finch shows moral courage because he is defending an African American because he knows it’s the right thing to do. Atticus is standing up for what he believes in while the majority of the town is against him. In the book Atticus says “but there’s been some high talk around town to the effect that I shouldn’t do much about defending a black man. (Pg. 26 Chapter 9) This evidence shows that citizens of Maycomb do not agree with Atticus. Most people in his town are racist, so they believe African Americans should be treated unfairly. Atticus believes that all people should be treated fair and as equals. He does the job that is needed that others refuse to do. Atticus shows moral courage because he does exactly what he believes. He also treats people fairly. This shows that Atticus is a fair and honest
Even though the odds go against him, Atticus Finch bravely stands up to his beliefs and morals. Futhermore,
Moreover, every other character in the story can be said to have courage, especially Atticus. The book revolves around Atticus and how he has no fear to defend a black man. Atticus is a lawyer that always had justice and never accepts injustice. He defends a black man named “Tom Robinson” who is accused of rapping a white girl whose own father had infact raped. “I’m simply defending a negro his name’s Tom Robinson” “The main one is, if I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this country in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again” (Lee,100). These quotes show that Atticus is not afraid and is brave enough to hold his head up in town even if he defended Tom, an inferior in their society. It also shows how well educated and mature he is that he even connects his job to his kids and he always tries to be good to be the best in his kids’ eyes. He wanted his kids to get along with other people and for them to learn courage from them like Mrs. Dubose, for example.
A significant representation of courage is seen within Atticus. Within To Kill A Mockingbird Atticus speaks of the Tom Robinson trial as a trial all lawyers fear. He must face a court case that will have a profound personal effect upon himself and his family. Atticus summons the courage to recognize that there is a need for justice and that it is his duty to achieve this. Maycomb is a town tainted with stereotypes and racism. Atticus has the courage to overcome the fear of other peoples' dislike. He must face the fear of straining the lives of his two young children and family name. The courage Atticus embodies stems from his "satisfactory" character. Atticus is righteous and unable to turn his back on those who truly rely upon his ability to show empathy. He overcomes the heartless comments of those around them, to see the necessity of his involvement.
Harper Lee's novel To Kill a Mockingbird was published in the year of 1960, and is one of the few American classic novels awarded the Pulitzer Prize. The racism that is prevalent in many southern American towns in the 1930s is brought to life with profound imagery in To Kill a Mockingbird. There are several characters in the book, yet the true main character is the narrator's father, Atticus Finch. He is a man of great integrity and intelligence. A very heroic figure in more ways than one, Atticus possesses traits like being principled, determined, and, more importantly, he teaches others. When looking at To Kill a Mockingbird, one can see that Lee uses lots of description, dialogue, and actions to portray Atticus as a heroic individual.
Atticus Finch is a model father created by Harper Lee in the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird. He is an important figure in the Maycomb, Alabama Community. He raises his children, Jean Louise Finch (Scout) and Jeremy Atticus Finch (Jem) with wide sets of morals, disciplines them, and is a true role model. Atticus allows his children to be individuals and does not try to change who they are. He teaches them fairness and equality among many different types of people in Maycomb. He is always teaching his children about how their actions may affect others, then, as a result, devices punishments to teach Scout and Jem valued life lessons. In many situations, Atticus can chastise his children, but he allows them mature and notice their own mistakes
What if it was possible to learn lessons outside of school? In the book To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee the main characters, Scout and Jem Finch, learn much more outside of school than inside of school with the help of their father, Atticus Finch. The children are living through a rough time in their small town, Maycomb and need help along the way. Atticus is a strong part of the kids success in their lives even if people don’t agree with his decisions. Atticus is a great role model for not only his kids but for the readers of To Kill A Mockingbird.
Atticus shows courage in his job, in his community, and in his family. One way Atticus shows courage is in his job. Atticus decides to defend a black man, Tom Robinson, in a case knowing that people would hate him because of it. He also knows that he would lose the case,yet still defends Tom as if he would anyone else.
Atticus has given us a lot of examples of courage throughout this entire novel. He has shown to never give up and if he has ever found anything hard in life that he would go around that and prove that he can overcome that. Atticus has never stood down from an argument. He has always stood up and taken it as a father should do. Atticus is courageous when at Finch Landing, he explains to Scout that this time he knew that he was " Fighting his friends, and no matter how bitter things get, they are still [his] friends and this is still his home"(76).
Although there are many people looking down at Atticus for sticking up for a man of color he stays courageous through the whole trial. He knows that he isn’t going to win but he’s going to do all that he is capable of. Atticus knows that if he doesn’t stick up for what he believes is right and instead listens to what society wants him to be doing he can’t represent anyone, nor does he feel like he deserves to represent people. “The main one is, if I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this country in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again” (100). Atticus stands by his motives and doesn’t change or have different beliefs in his house than his beliefs out on the streets.
Regardless of one?s race or colour, Atticus has a fair attitude towards all people. Early in the novel, a black man named Tom Robinson was accused of raping a white woman. Atticus took on the case to defend Tom without another thought simply because he treats everyone
He displays his courage many times, but one of the strongest examples happens when he kills the rabid dog as illustrated by the following quote: “With movements so swift they seemed simultaneous, Atticus’s hand yanked a ball-tipped lever as he brought the gun to his shoulder. The rifle cracked Tim Johnson leaped, flopped over and crumpled on the sidewalk in a brown-and-white heap. He didn’t know what hit him”(Lee 127). Atticus’s actions saves his kids and the people of Maycomb. He hates shooting, so he has to overcome his own morals and fears in order to shoot the dog. In fact, Jem and Scout Did not even know that Atticus could use the gun. They are very proud and impressed by the brave act of their father. The strongest example of Atticus’s courage is when he defends Tom Robinson even though he knows there is good chance he will lose the case. Atticus explains his reason for defending Tom Robinson to Jem in the following: “ ‘For a number of reason’ said Atticus. ‘The main one is, if 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”(Lee 100). Atticus uses his own moral compass to decide what is right even though the society of Maycomb does not agree with him. This is true courage. He knows that people will hate him because he is defending a black man. Also, he knows that it could harm his