Atticus Finch Conservatism

The book "To Kill a Mockingbird" is a story of life in an Alabama town in the 30's. The narrator, Jean Louise Finch, or Scout, is writing of a time when she was young, and the book is in part the record of a childhood, believed to be Harper Lee’s, the author of the book..

What it Means to Kill a Mocking Bird: an in depth analysis of the morals in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird

In 'To Kill a Mockingbird' many morals about the themes in the novel are portrayed through different issues and events. The major themes are appearance vs. reality courage, maturity and prejudice. Each of these themes has an event in the novel that help the reader understand its message.

Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” is set in a small Southern United States community called Maycomb during the Great Depression era. The whole book primarily revolves around segregation and racism and how it relates to Maycomb’s history. It eventually leads to the trial of Tom Robinson where he is accused of beating up and raping Mayella Ewell. Even though it was clear that Tom Robinson did not do anything wrong he was convicted by an all white jury simply because he was black. The trial of Tom Robinson and its verdict shows an example of how segregation in the court system prevents fair trials from occurring.

Atticus teaches his children, Jem and Scout, strong morals and says “You never really understand a person until you climb into his skin and walk around in it” (Lee 35?)  This shows that Atticus had a strong heart and did what was right.  He was not racist nor prejudice towards blacks.  Even after Atticus clearly proves Tom innocent, the jury comes to the heartbreaking decision  "guilty... guilty... guilty" (Lee 282). “Here, Harper Lee is showing the tragic fate of a mockingbird in society. After showing nothing but kindness and helpfulness to the community, Tom is judged guilty of rape for one simple reason... he is black and she is white”

In chapter 11, Atticus and Jem are talking about Mrs. Dubose, and how she was the bravest person Atticus has ever met. Atticus is talking about how she has courage, and implies “It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.” (149) This shows that Atticus wants to stick to Tom Robinson’s side because he is courageous. He knows he is going to lose, but is sticking to his views and fighting for Tom Robinson anyways. In chapter 20, Atticus is giving his speech in the courtroom. Atticus says “ To begin with, this case should never have come to trial. This case is as simple as black and white.” (271) Atticus means that it is obvious on who is going to win, but he is going to defend Tom Robinson, no matter what because that is the type of person he is. It didn’t matter if Atticus knew he was not going to win because he wants to prove a point that race should not matter, and everybody should be treated equal. He wanted to just have one person see past color and think that Tom Robinson might not have committed the crime. In chapter 22, Miss Maudie says “Atticus Finch won’t win, he can’t win, but he’s the only man in these parts who can keep a jury out so long in a case like that.” (289) Overall, Atticus knows how to make the right decision and follow what he

Times are always changing and new ideas are born every day, nothing is static. New ideas, always need a radical man or women to help the world see that there are better ways of thinking. The small town of Maycomb county, in Harper Lee’s book To Kill a Mocking Bird, had their man to bring them into this new era of thinking, Atticus Finch. His gentle attitude shows an outstanding amount of kindness, determination, and wisdom. He is faced with difficulties that have been around all his life, and he never once falters in his character.

This shows that Atticus is an honorable and respectful man that is conscious that he needs to stay that way if he wants the townspeople and his children to trust and have an amicable relationship with them. Atticus preferring that option goes along with the case to prove innocent the black man, Tom Robinson. By accepting to defend a black man even though it could tarnish him. it upholds the themes of putting others first and that of not discriminating others and not taking away opportunities because of their color. While the case becomes the forefront of everything in that town and the nasty comments continue Atticus always remains cool and collected,but his children do not. That is why he advises Scout when he realizes she want to start a fight , “Try fighting with your head for a change”(101). As time passes Jem and her learn to adapt and not react in uncivil ways, enough so that Scout recognizes, “I had become almost accustomed to hearing insults aimed at

On a chilly winter morning, Atticus rushed a tired Jem and Scout into clothing and out of their beds. He told them there was a fire in Miss Maudie’s house and they should stand in front of the Radley house where it was safe. They saw the flames engulfing Miss Maudie’s house and ran down the street to the Radley’s house. Watching the events unfold, Scout said to herself, “…I saw Atticus carrying Miss Maudie’s heavy oak rocking chair, and thought it sensible of him to save what she valued most” (71). She was proud that Atticus thought to save Miss Maudie most prized possession. As members of the community we're pulling furniture out of the house, Dick went to the top and threw furniture out on a mattress. As the flames rose and tore down the stairs,

Throughout the book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Jem was influenced by Tom Robinson's Trial and Atticus’s definition of courage. Atticus’s definition of courage changed the way Jem thought about Mrs. Dubose. For example, “I wanted you to know what real courage is... It’s when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyways and you see it through no matter,” (Lee 149). In this quote, Atticus describes what courage, he states that courage is doing something even though you’ll know that you will fail. Another example is on page 149, “He picked up the Camellia, and when I went off to bed, I saw him fingering the wide petals,” (Lee). This is to say that Jem was now playing with the Camellia that Mrs. Dubose had left for him.

In the story, To Kill A Mocking Bird, written by Harper Lee, originates in a small fictional town in Alabama called Maycomb. The main character, Scout, is a 6 year old girl who goes on many adventures which include going to school with her brother, to investigating the Radley’s after school. The time of her adventures takes place in the Great Depression, where Scout’s family was wealthier than most. Unlike most children, Scout has a few advantages. These include her ability to read and write, and her curiosity. Her adventures begin when she finds out about Boo Radley.

Chapter 1- The book starts out with Scout, Jem, and Dill and this little boy from Mississippi meet during the summer. Dill tries and plays all these games to get a plan for Boo to come outside. Jem finally runs into the Radley’s yard and touches the outside of the house. Chapter 2- Dill goes back to Mississippi for school and Scout is starting first grade.

Chapter Two starts off with Herb's three closest friends arriving to clean the Clutter home. At the same time, Perry and Dick go to Mexico using fake checks. In Holcomb, everyone is distrustful of their neighbors, people lock their doors, keep their lights on at all times, and suspect people they've known their whole lives. Bobby Rup, Nancy's boyfriend, is considered the main suspect; however, he is ultimately ruled out even though he is the only person who has a reasonable motive for the murders. Back in Dick and Perry's storyline, parts of Perry's horrible childhood filled with abuse and abandonment are shared with the reader. Within the Clutter investigation, the Holcomb police rule out robbery as a motive, but after finding a missing radio,

The title of Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, is first mentioned when Atticus gives Scout and Jem air-rifles for Christmas and tells them, “Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (Lee 119). Lee chooses to use this phrase for the title of her novel because it’s referring to innocent people like Tom Robinson and Boo Radley both of which, are like the mockingbird, and only wish to bring a bit little happiness into a harsh time period in the world. Despite their efforts, they were punished, shout away, and in Tom’s case killed. Miss. Maudie explains what the mockingbird's significance to Scout, "Mockingbirds don’t do one thing except make music for us to enjoy.

Richard submits to authority when he fights Harrison. Richard does not want to fight Harrison because he does not want to do whatever the white people tell him to do. Richard does not want to be inferior to the white people. He even compares the fight in a way people make dogs and chickens fight. “ ‘But those white men will be looking at us, laughing at us,’ I said. ‘What the hell,’ Harrison said. ‘They look at you and laugh at you every day…’ It was true. But I hated him for saying it. I ached to hit him in his mouth, to hurt him. ‘What have we got to lose?’ Harrison asked… ‘Then lets fight for’em.’ I’d feel like a dog. ‘To them, both of us are dogs,’ [Harrison] said (Wright 241). Harrison “reveals” the truth about what the white people actually