In Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird she tells the story of a huge variety of characters. Atticus Finch fathers two children, he works as a lawful lawyer and often has to remain absent from home. Robert Ewell fathers eight children, whom he raises on his own do to the death of his wife. Robert Ewell lives as a poor man who rarely receives respect in Maycomb County, the town of which they live. Though they may share the similarity of being fathers, Atticus Finch and Robert Ewell greatly contrast in their morals and views, parenting styles, and in the outcome of their children. Atticus Finch holds himself high with respectable views and morals. He believes that his own self respect is tied with if he ever did something he didn't believe in, he would lose his right of authority. Along with this, Atticus speaks against racism stating that, though some black people may do wrong, that is the same for whites and every other race. He explained that every group of people has it’s good & bad members, and likewise it would be foolish to convict Tom Robinson solely because of his race. When Atticus hears his daughter Scout saying the “n-word” he explains to her of its impropriety and embraced the word around town of him loving blacks claiming that he does, for he loves everyone. Almost the complete adverse of Atticus,is Robert Ewell. Time and time again Tom Robinson dehumanizes Tom Robinson within the court's trial, never referring to Tom by his name or even the pronoun ‘he’. Rather,
Atticus Finch demonstrates his words of, "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," throughout the novel. For example, Mrs. Dubose always speaks poorly of Atticus and all the decisions Atticus decides to make. However, Atticus is always looking for ways to excuse her poor behavior and even goes as far as making Jem read to her and complimenting her every time he sees her. This does not stop Mrs. Dubose from deteriorating Atticus's reputation and character until her death. Atticus also uses the Golden Rule when he decides to help the case of Tom Robinson, an American African accused of rape. Atticus treats Tom Robinson how he would want to be treated. Atticus knows he is going to lose th case due to the extensive amounts of racism in the county. However, this does not stop him from trying his best for Tom Robinson, as he would want others to do for him if he was
Harper Lee's novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, follows multiple dynamic characters, including, Atticus Finch. Atticus is the father of two other main characters, Jem and Scout Finch; as he raises them on his own, we learn that he is honest to his children and leads them by example. Atticus is able to positively influence Jem and Scout, teaching them to respect and be considerate of others throughout the story. In Part One of the story, we quickly learn that Atticus is a wise, considerate father.
Atticus was the defendant in the Tom Robinson case, and he proudly stood up for Tom. He was called a “Nigger lover” throughout the book because he defended Tom. “What kind of parent would I be if I didn't defend him, sure I was assigned his case but if I didn't try my best to defend him then I couldn't tell anyone else what to do.” Throughout the whole thing Atticus resembles a mockingbird, he is innocent and he is defending an innocent man. Jem and Scout also experience this in a way many people including
I believe that Atticus did the proper thing by defending Tom Robinson during the trial. Though it was controversial throughout Maycomb County, he served as an exceptional example for his children by accepting the case and genuinely defending a black man. There were many downsides when Atticus agreed to take the case appointed to him. Initially, his reputation and social status took a blow from this incident. This lead to backlash and insults from people across the community. The Finchs' had one of the highest social statuses in the town, for Atticus had a suitable job with a reputable name. (Lee PAGE) When word about this incident spread, many people disapproved. This was evident when many of Scout's classmates taunted her about her father being "a nigger lover", which they unmistakably picked up from their parents. (Lee PAGE) Atticus' family members were not too pleased with this decision as well. In the text, Francis repeats what his grandmother said, saying "[Atticus] ruinin‘ the family, that’s what he’s doin’". (Lee PAGE) Additionally, Mrs. Dubose had several degrading comments to say about the
Living as a father and a lawyer requires a strong, disciplined character. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus, a father of two children, displayed an example of strong moral principles. Throughout the book Atticus undergoes many different trials and times of hardships. However, through these difficulties, Atticus’ true colors are shown. Atticus possessed patience in times when many others would not have remained calm.
Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird is set in Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930s. Racism is ever present toward blacks and the trial of Tom Robinson, an African American, clearly displays this. Tom Robinson was accused of raping a white woman. The huge detail in this is that it was a white woman. Racial issues are really brought about because of that detail. People during this time would easily take a white man’s word over that of a black man, so nobody would ever trust Tom Robinson, especially since he was a black man being accused of a crime against a white woman. Tom Robinson really can’t do anything to help his case. The only person that can help him is Atticus. While Atticus does not believe that he will win the case, he knows that it is right to do everything he can to help Tom. He knows right from wrong and he will do everything in his power to help people see that, and to help Tom survive this case. Tom Robinson could also be described as a Mockingbird in this story. If proven innocent, he would be
In the beginning of the story we learn of the life of Scout Finch, a little girl growing up in Alabama who is oblivious to the atrocious racial discrimination during this time period. Her father, Atticus Finch is a lawer. So Atticus was appointed the defense attorney for a crippled black man named Tom Robinson. In the process of defending Tom Atticus has many drawbacks for his own social image as well as his family. For example in chapter 15 Atticus almost has to defend Tom from a mob but luckily Scout saved the day. “Cecil Jacobs made me forget. He had announced in the schoolyard the day before that Scout Finch’s daddy defended Niggers. I denied it, but told Jem.” (Lee 99) “He is nothing but a nigger
Bob Ewell accuses Tom Robinson of raping his daughter, Mr. Ewell knows that Mr. Robinson did not rape his daughter, in reality, his daughter was the aggressor. Mr. Ewell tells the police that his daughter was beaten up on the right side which means the attacker is left handed. The trial makes it to court and Atticus shows the jury Tom’s left arm which is inoperable because his arm got stuck in a machine when he was younger. Mr. Ewell was called up to the stand and Atticus points out that Bob is left-handed and drinks a lot, maybe Bob beat his daughter up because she tried to seduce a black man. At the end of the trial, “Judge Taylor was polling the jury: “Guilty… guilty… guilty… guilty…””(Lee 211). Scout learns that no matter how much
I didn’t do it. I know it, Atticus knows it, and Mayella and Robert Ewell know it better than anyone else. I wasn’t the one who harmed Mayella. Yet in five days the four of us, all knowin’ the truth, will be in a courtroom on different sides of the court with two opposin’ stories. One of the sides is built on truth and facts, the other built on lies and evil intent.
Despite the influences all around him from his family, town, and society, Atticus keeps an open heart to any race, and refuses to stoop to the low level of racism.The sole fact of Atticus’s drive to protect Tom Robinson despite all the possible harm it could bring to those he loves. At every chance he gets, he passes on words of nurture to his children to instill kindness towards all people, despite any scenario. When Scout confronts Atticus about hearing him called the term, “nigger lover”, Atticus defuses the term by explaining that the term doesn’t truly mean anything and that he loves all people. “‘Scout,’ said Atticus, ‘nigger-lover is just one of those terms that don't mean anything—like snot-nose. It's hard to explain—ignorant, trashy people use it when they think somebody's favoring Negroes over and above themselves. It's slipped into usage with some people like ourselves, when they want a common, ugly term to label somebody.’
All of Scout’s family claimed to be negatively affected by Atticus standing up for a black man, Atticus disagreed because he believed that all races were equal. To show how unfair discrimination and segregation against African Americans were, and how nothing but a permanent law could stop it. Cousin Francis says “Uncle Atticus is a nigger-lover, it certainly does mortify the rest of the family… he’s ruinin’ the family”(Lee 94). Francis says this to Scout when he is talking about Atticus defending an African American in a case he has basically already lost. If Tom Robinson was white Atticus would not be given as much hate as he has right now.
Racism was one of the largest lessons in the novel. In the story, Atticus defends a black man, Tom Robinson, who has been accused of raping a white women. The entire Finch family is affected by this in different ways. Jem and Scout for example, are both ridiculed by their cousin, and by other adults because both them and their father are considered “n-lovers.” Atticus shows in many ways that he is
“To Kill a Mockingbird”, an acclaimed novel by Harper Lee, is recognized throughout the world. The novel follows a lawyer and his children prior to and during a legal case to defend a black male. That lawyers name is Atticus Finch. Atticus Finch is not just an ordinary father. He teaches his children things no parent of the 1930s, or even the modern time period, would think of doing. His style parenting, compared to modern day parenting and parenting in the 1930s, is unique and is not traditionally the way a parent wants to raise their child.
The novel, To Kill a Mockingbird is a historical-fiction written by Harper Lee. The novel’s main character and narrator Jean Louise (Scout) Finch is introduced to many of the world’s hardships, and its harsh realities. Standing as Scout’s father is Atticus Finch, leading her down the path of righteousness, fairness, and equality. Atticus is an excellent father, whom leaves little to be desired on the topic of parenting. He shows his superb parenting in numerous ways- ranging from the allowing of his children to have their own walks of life, raising his children as individuals, and not hiding his children from the true evils of the world.
First of all, Atticus vigorously fights for his beliefs even when it seems like the whole town, even his family is against him. Before the trial, Atticus was about to defend two men are talking about him and his goals for the trial. One man says “You know the court appointed him [Atticus] to defend this N word. Yeah but Atticus aims to defend him. That's what I don't like about it." (p. 218). Atticus defending Tom Robinson even when the