Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
Tolerance to kill a mockingbird
Prejudice vs. tolerance to kill a mockingbird
Discrimination themes in to kill a mockingbird
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: Tolerance to kill a mockingbird
What is the ideal man? Someone who is strong and powerful? Or is it somebody who upholds their values and is committed to all sectors of their life? I believe the latter. In Harper Lee's, To Kill a Mockingbird, we are presented with a man who symbolizes all of those characteristics. Atticus Finch is the ideal man; he is a caring father, a dedicated and talented lawyer, and a symbol of tolerance in the deeply prejudicial town of Maycomb.
As a father, Atticus strives to teach his children how to become respectful, and productive members of society. To do this, he uses his actions and words, often setting a good example for his children. One of the main lessons he teaches his children is that, "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view" (Lee 30). This lesson along with the others he teaches Jem and Scout allow them to become better people as they grow up. Not only does Atticus teach his children life lessons, he also cares deeply about them, taking care of them after their mother's death, rather than shipping them off to live with another family member, as would have been common for most widowers with children in those days. Atticus also feels the need to teach his children about reality, rather than sugarcoat the truth, Atticus is almost always honest with his children, telling them about the world. When Scout asked Atticus, "What's rape?" (Lee 135), he replies with the truth saying that "rape was carnal knowledge of a female by force and without consent" (Lee 135). These lessons taught by Atticus are only surpassed by the example he sets for his children in his everyday life. Atticus is always polite and respectful, even to those who are unpleasant to him, like Bob Ewell, and Mrs. Du...
... middle of paper ...
...not a good enough reason to convict them of a crime. Many people like Maudie Atkinson were amazed by his resolve. Not only did Atticus fight racism, he fought prejudice as a whole. He would never treat anybody differently or unfairly for any reason. When Bob Ewell, a man who had threatened his children's lives was killed, Atticus wanted whoever killed him to be brought to justice, even if it was his own son. This clearly shows his commitment to equality, and to creating a society free of prejudice and intolerance.
When you consider Atticus Finch, it is obvious that he is an ideal man. His moral code allows his to stand out amongst his peers and rise above prejudice, intolerance, and inequality. In my opinion, Atticus Finch is the ideal man; he is a caring father, a dedicated and talented lawyer, and a symbol of tolerance in the deeply prejudicial town of Maycomb.
...reinforcing the idea that the roles are now switched. Atticus keeps calm during most of the situations, but lets others boss him around and take control while he mainly sits and waits nearby. Scout and Jem begin to stand up for their father when he will not stand up for himself and act caring as if they were in charge of Atticus’ actions, protecting him from the evils of others. Scout supports this idea when she begins to talk very adult-like with Mr. Cunningham, especially showing her thoughtful wisdom when speaking of “entailments”. Atticus later shows that he is proud of his children for sticking up for him when he did not himself by massaging Jem’s hair in his “one gesture of affection.” So while Atticus often is being the best father figure he can to Scout and Jem, they are also very helpful to him by taking control of situations that he would not be able to.
When people think about heros it is a person in a cape flying into burning buildings to save people or fighting a villain to save the world. According to Oxford Dictionary a hero is a person who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. This shows how just normal people can be qualified as heros. A book that exemplifies this is To Kill A Mockingbird because it is filled with people that went out of their way to help others or the society as a whole. A person who did this in particular was Atticus Finch. Atticus Finch was a hero because he fell under the definition and was admired for his courage, achievements, and noble qualities.
Atticus is a fair and honest man. Atticus is one of the only men in
Atticus Finch is a character of stability in an unstable society. He is a balanced figure who is able to cope with the unreasonable and highly emotional town in which he lives. He can manage the prejudiced white masses and still deal justly with the underprivileged Negro population of Maycomb. He is one of the few people who understand the individual worth of a person regardless of the color of his/her skin. This enables him to defend Tom Robinson based solely on the concept of justice and equality. In his closing argument, Atticus explains that, “there is one place all men are created equal. That place is in a court room” (Lee 205). This justifies the fact that Atticus believes in equality in a society, the equality not only of race, but also of sex, class, and religion as well. His view of equality and justice is a symbol of his own psychological stability throughout the novel. Accordingly, in the final analysis of the story, Atticus represents the “justice” in the community of Maycomb. His stability throughout the book is one of the many characteristics that depict Atticus Finch as the novel’s core.
Although Atticus is not like every other parent, he shows his love to his kids in his own ways. He does not need to be kissing them, hugging them or buying them things to show his affection for them. His ways are unique ways that show that Atticus is a positive parental figure. Another good piece of evidence that shows that Atticus is a positive parental figure is that he sets a good example for the children. He sets a good example by being honest and telling them why he has to defend Tom Robinson even if that decision jeopardizes his reputation and the family. When Atticus was talking to Scout about defending Tom he said, “The main one is, if I 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” (100). These words show that Atticus values equality and justice and it is setting an excellent example for the kids to follow at such a young age. Atticus defends Tom Robinson, an African American man, because he believes in equality for all. Atticus also mentioned that before he tells the children to do something or follow values he, Atticus, must display them first, and he
Instead of talking more, he prefers to show.(EVIDENCE, ELABORATE) Also, Atticus is not a type of father who would love his children dearly all the time. At times, he will be firm and teach them harsh lessons about life when necessary. This is evident when he took Jem along with him to tell Helen Robinson about Tom Robinson’s death. This way, Atticus allows Jem to learn lessons about prejudice and other principles in life. Also, throughout the novel, Atticus works to develop his children’s respective consciences and character, through teaching vital lessons with objectives, such as though humanity has a great capability of evil and wrong doings, it also has a great capacity for good. Also, the evil can be looked upon as good, if one approaches things with an outlook of compassion and understanding, instead of hatred, thus his objective is to teach them to be more compassionate and gracious towards others in life.
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.
Atticus Finch as a parent teaches Scout and Jem moral values and tries his hardest to pass on to his children his way of thinking. Atticus worries that his children sees to much racism and injustice, and tries to show his children that all people are equal no matter the color of their skin. He teaches them to go against the norm in Maycomb which is prejudice and unjust in their actions.
Consequently, Atticus Finch acts justly, loves tenderly and walks humbly through his job and his family. Ultimately, he acts justly through his acts of kindness and understanding. Also, he loves tenderly by showing the ones that he cares about their worth. Lastly, he walks humbly by not caring about other people’s opinions but himself. Atticus Finch is a man with full respect and love given to. He is a role model for his family and to all of his town people.
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.
Even though the odds go against him, Atticus Finch bravely stands up to his beliefs and morals. Furthermore, he
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.
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.
Atticus is always guiding Jem and Scout with advice so that they will become more compassionate people. Atticus sets a good example for the children when Mr Ewell confronts him. Even though he is provoked and insulted, Atticus simply has a “peaceful reaction”. This shows the children never to get into fights with people when they are upset about something. Atticus shows children about courage and all the forms it appears in. When Jem is told to read for Ms Dubose and she dies, Atticus explains to Jem about her morphine addiction, and how she died “free”. This shows Jem that courage isn’t always where you expect to find it, and that if you have some compassion, you see people for who they really are. The most important piece of advice he gives his children is that “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 important for the children to know, because it helps them to be more caring people, and they use this advice throughout the novel.
Although they are critiqued, some people do whatever they can do to improve our society. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch proves himself to be a hero. This small-town lawyer exhibits bravery, strength, and modesty when faced with objection during Maycomb’s quarrel for justice. Without a doubt, Atticus proves that anybody can stand for what he or she believes is right.