In the book To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch is portrayed as an honorable man and a hero. Atticus displays noble traits that, in the town of Maycomb, he is admired for. When presented with a conflict that brings attention to different ideas and beliefs of the community, Atticus tries to see the good in both sides consistently. He also leads the way for future generations by setting a good example for both Jem and Scout to follow. Overall, Atticus Finch is a good role model and a hero throughout the text. Atticus strives to treat everyone he meets any person his in his life in need of a smile and welcome arms. When talking to Scout about her day at school, Atticus says, “‘You never really understand a person until you consider …show more content…
It is important that a hero is able to empathize with others. Atticus is not the kind of person to glaze over someone’s emotions on top and make a judgement about them only based on that. When someone is able to look past another’s skin while getting to know them, it shows that they actually are putting effort into getting to know the person. A hero is able to look past surrounding prejudices and get to know people based on who they really are as opposed to who society says they are. In a community where racism is prominent and not many fight the system, Atticus Finch, from the beginning of the case, protects Tom Robinson with a great effort. Late at night, while Tom is in the jail, and Atticus isn’t home, Scout, Jem, and Dill go to find Atticus and realize he is sitting outside the jail. Scout narrates, “We were taking a short cut across the square when four dusty cars came from the Meridian highway, moving slowly in a line. … In ones and twos, men got out of …show more content…
After Atticus has shot the mad dog, Miss Maudie says, “I think maybe he put his gun down when he realized that God had given him an unfair advantage over most living things. I guess he decided he wouldn’t shoot till he had to, and he had to today’” (Lee 98). A hero is known for his noble characteristics. Atticus recognizes that he has an advantage over most people, and he does not use it to his advantage. Many people would brag about being able to shoot well, but only people who knew Atticus from years and years before knew about his ability. Atticus is humble, and although he never comes out and tells Jem and Scout about what they should do with their own abilities, both are in awe of what Atticus is capable of and respect his ways of thinking. Atticus, for the majority of the time, is honest with his children, wanting them to be able to understand what is going on. Tom Brokaw remembers, looking back on the description of Atticus when he reread the book that “There was self-doubt. Atticus knew that he wasn’t a perfect man. He tried as best he could to give Scout the big context of what he was doing and why he was doing it” (Brokaw 62). Imperfection is key when writing a heroic character. Atticus knows that he has both strengths and weaknesses, and so he recognizes and accepts them as a part of himself. Because Atticus realizes this, he is then able to
He strives to give Scout and Jem spirit, bravery and tolerance to others. "If you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. 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" (30). He teaches this life lesson to show that it's actually achievable to live with principles without losing sight of hope or acting skeptical. Atticus is able to highly regard Mrs. Dubose's courage even though he disapproves of her continuous acts of racism.
He treats everyone in Maycomb equally, telling Scout “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) This quote goes to show that Atticus is not racist and doesn't care much about social status, if someone needs a hand he is there to lend them one no matter who they are.
Throughout the novel, Atticus’ assistance to Jem and Scout’s development becomes evident. Atticus takes every opportunity to attempt to teach his children the importance of having an open-mind. For instance, when Scout queries Atticus about Maycomb’s prejudice perspective, he tells her, “You never really understand a person until…you climb in their skin and walk around in it.” (Lee 30) Even during the early stages of the novel, it is apparent that Atticus endeavors to instill the values of empathy and tolerance within Jem and Scout by teaching them how to have multiple perspectives on a situation. In addition, Atticus also attempts to enlighten his children about peaceful resolution in society. For example, when Atticus is chosen to defend Tom Robinson, Atticus tells Scout, you might hear some ugly talk about it at school but…you just hold your head high and keep those fists down.”...
Our hero in To Kill A Mockingbird is Atticus Finch. In this story Atticus finch is a lawyer whose morality and reason makes him the hero of the story. For example in this quote “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you
Imagine yourself doing something that was completely unspeakable of in your society. Now, what if I told you it was something that came down to a concept as simple as black and white? Racial injustice is the biggest problem that is faced throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Atticus Finch was put on the spot many times and during these many occurrences we see his moral and ethically inclined personality show. For this reason, Atticus is indeed a hero to a modern audience because he demonstrates an approach to situations that would better society. Not only does he expresses this through sticking to his conscience and morals; but Atticus also shows courage and puts himself and his reputation at risk in order to accomplish the results he wants to achieve.
Atticus Finch was a true hero, in my eyes. He had all the essentials to being a hero, such as; respect, equality, and quiet dignity. Sure, Mr. Finch didn’t quite reach his goal of winning the Tom Robinson case, but it was the fact that he attempted it, knowing he would lose. A hero is not someone who achieves something, but is a person that attempts to. The journey to your goal might even be more important than the actual achievement, because on your way to the top, struggles appear and you overcome them by learning new lessons to live by in life. In conclusion, Atticus Finch truly is America’s greatest hero.
In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus is an ideal father, who sets a great example for his kids. A picture of Atticus is important to Scout because Atticus teaches Scout many important life lessons about life. Firstly, as Atticus talks to Scout about Miss. Stephanie, he states “if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you’ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. 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,30). Scout realizes that one can never feel someone’s pain, happiness, or glory until she looks at their point of view of things; she learns to consider other people’s situation and feelings. She also understands that she will never know what goes in other people’s lives, and therefore she cannot judge anyone. Scout matures as she learns to apply Atticus’ wise advice to understand Mrs. Dubose and Boo Radley, who are individuals that are misunderstood by the community. Furthermore, as Miss Maudie talks to Scout, she states “Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets” (Lee, 46). Miss Maudie knows about Atticus’ personality quite well. Miss Maudie explains to Scout Atticus is a man with moral principles, he does what he believes is right even if others are not there to praise him. Through Atticus’ exemplary role, Scout understands the importance of integrity, and strong moral values. Finally, when Scout questions her father about the possible outcome of the trial, Atticus states “simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us to try to win” (Lee, 76). Atticus teaches Scout toleration, determination and moral courage. He already knows he is going to los...
Atticus Finch is a heroic character in To Kill A Mockingbird. A hero is a person who is known for certain achievements and qualities. Atticus is known for many qualities he displayed during the novel, as well as various achievements. This makes him a heroic character. Atticus Finch is a hero because he defended a black man in court, proved his abilities and intelligences, and cared for everybody equally.
True role models are those who possess the qualities that we would want to have in the near future and those who interest us in a way that make us want to be a better person. They teach us more about ourselves and encourage us to make better choices. A role model is not just someone who is successful, but someone who has had similar experiences that we have had. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee demonstrates that Atticus Finch is a true role model. Over the course of the novel, Atticus stands up for his beliefs, respects everyone despite who they are and behaves as a true father. Atticus is truly the ideal role model.
Atticus Finch has a personality trait of fairness. Before judging someone he will try to look in their perspective on why they did what they did. Mr. Cunningham brought Atticus crops instead of money because that was the only way he could pay him. Atticus stated “ Professional people were poor because the farmers were poor.” (Lee 27). Meaning that he was teaching Scott the society of people. How everyone makes it in Maycomb, or the level on where everyone stands. “ It's a sin to kill a mockingbird”(Lee 119). IN other words, Atticus means why harm something or someone when they have done nothing to you. He would do what was right while everyone thinks it's wrong. Atticus is non judgemental and feels like everyone should be treated equally in a
Atticus Finch is a very essential character in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. He is not only the father on Jem and Scout, but he is also defending Tom Robinson. Along with all of the obstacles and challenges that Atticus faces he is still an exceptional role model for the children. He also overcomes the diversity of Negroes and whites that is displayed during his time by standing up and fighting for Tom Robinson and his triumph in court against Bob Ewell. Lee presents Atticus Finch as understanding of Tom Robinson, caring with the children, and calm throughout the Tom Robinson trial.
Atticus is a great leader of his family, teaching his children morals and life lessons. He makes them better people by showing them how to deal with the trial and people making fun of them. Atticus teaches Scout how to respect other people. First, Scout learns to respect Atticus, then to respect "Boo" Radley, and finally to respect a whole race of people, negroes. He makes it a common practice to live his life as he would like his children to live theirs, and thus displays the attributes of an honest, respectable, and kind man. Throughout the trial process, Atticus shows Jem and Scout that true courage is standing up for what you believe in and that all human beings, despite their race, deserve respect. "You never really understand a person until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." This quote shows that Atticus wants his children to get along with people, and so other people will respect them for whom they are.
One day, when the rabid, mad dog came along, Atticus shot it. He saved the entire neighborhood from potentially catching some sort of disease. One shot was all it took. “Tim Johnson leaped, flopped over and crumpled on the sidewalk in a brown-and-white heap” (Lee 96). This showed that Atticus Finch was bold, daring, and fearless. Jem and Scout were surprised at the fact that their father was the deadest shot in Maycomb. Miss Maudie told them, “If your father’s anything, he’s civilized in his heart. Marksmanship’s a gift of God, a talent--oh, you have to practice to make it perfect, but shootin’s different from playing the piano or the like. I think maybe he put his gun down when he realized that God had given him an unfair advantage over most living things. I guess he decided he wouldn’t shoot till he had to, and he had to today” (Lee 98). Atticus was a caring man who put others in front of him. With family and friends, he shows his kindness, selflessness, and courage, but most of all, he shows that he is their
Throughout the book To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus Finch demonstrates himself as an honest lawyer, a loving father, and a symbol of righteousness through his beliefs that he instills in his children. Atticus Finch values empathy, respect, and bravery, and he proves himself as a moral compass by teaching both Jem and Scout these values in the form of life lessons.
He states, “Scout, you never really understand people until you consider things from their point of view- until you climb into his skin and walk around in it” (39). This means how sometimes unless you are someone you can’t fully understand them and how they feeling and behaving. Atticus explains to Scout that caring about others will help Scout understand them more. It will help Scout further understand why something may be happening. Also, Miss Maudie also explains how the Mockingbirds in the trees help further understand life lessons. Miss Maudie states, “Mockingbirds don’t do nothing but make music for us to enjoy… they don’t do one thing but sing our hearts out for us” (119). This means how in life, people shouldn’t naturally hate someone or something. People need to be able to care and have empathy for others. People in the book become the characteristic of mockingbirds. For example, Boo Radley. Boo doesn’t do anything to annoy or harm people, but the children decide to