Atticus Respectful In To Kill A Mockingbird

501 Words2 Pages

In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee presents the idea that respect is demonstrated by treating people the way people want to be treated so that others can give one that respect back. Social justice requires respect because if one did not have respect for others views and thinking, then people would stop tolerating each other and become selfish in their thoughts and actions. The character of Atticus Finch demonstrates respect by the way he treats those of different gender, how he teaches his children, and how he treats outcasts of a town. Atticus is respectful because he treats other genders the same as everyone else. This part of the book took place in the courtroom after Bob Ewell’s questioning and Mayella Ewell was on the stand for Atticus …show more content…

This part of the book takes place when Scout,the youngest of Atticus’s children, has come back from her first day of school and the teacher wants her to stop learning to read and write. She was talking to Atticus on the porch and he said, “ You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view-..” (33). Atticus reveals that he is respectful due to the way that he is unbiased to other people. Atticus is telling this to Scout because he wants his children to do the same and be open-minded to everyone she encounters. Atticus is respectful because of his unbiased view of people in Maycomb county and of people in the world. Atticus is respectful because he does not get into other people’s business. This part of the book takes place when Jem was trying to get information on the Radleys. According to the text it says,” When Jem would question him Atticus’s only answer was for him to mind his own business and let the Radley’s mind theirs,..” (11). Many of the townspeople of Maycomb circulate rumors about the Radleys. Atticus refrains from talking ill about them, and he tells his children that they “Should mind their own business.” It shows respect because he protects and is mindful of people’s privacy or

Show More
Related

  • Character Analysis Of Atticus In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

    992 Words  | 2 Pages

    Atticus did what no other person would do in Maycomb, he defended a negro man in court. In the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, Atticus is a lawyer that has to defend Tom Robinson because Tom was accused of raping a white lady. Others in Maycomb don’t agree with Atticus because he took a black man’s words over a white woman’s word. Atticus is a man of morals with integrity, so he did the right thing and took Tom Robinson’s side. It makes sense for Atticus to take a stand to defend Tom Robinson because he follows his morals and the golden rule.

    Read More

  • Archetype In To Kill A Mockingbird

    1092 Words  | 3 Pages

    This is a very important trait to realize because many people are not kind to everyone because of differing religious, social, or racial backgrounds. Throughout the entire book, Atticus demonstrates this trait to everyone. One instance is where he teaches his children a lesson to love everybody no matter the color of their skin. Scout asks him, “You aren't really a n*****-lover, then, are you?"(144). To which he replies, “I certainly am. I do my best to love everybody”(144). Moreover, Atticus leads by example and teaches his children about accepting others. He tells Scout and Jem, “N*****-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

    Read More

  • Atticus Finch: Literature’s Best Dad of the Century

    758 Words  | 2 Pages

    Atticus is well-known in the modern age for being a calm, stoic, and unwavering figurehead, no matter the situation. Even while watching Miss Maudie’s house burn down, he simply stands there, as if he “might be watching a football game,”(94). His mannerisms not only show the others present that he is an unknowingly strong male role model, they also calm the atmosphere of the entire street, even if only by a minuscule amount. This depicts his status as a good father because it supplies his kids with someone to look up to in a crisis. Atticus proves that he is a worthy role model when Jem uses his unruffled likeness to assure Scout that all will be well: “‘Don’t worry, Scout, it’s not time to worry yet,’ said Jem, … ‘see there, [Atticus isn’t] worried yet,’”(94). This is significant because it also teaches the kids to follow in Atticus’s footsteps and be more placid and less temperamental. These quotes also illustrate just how much authority Atticus has over Scout and Jem’s decisions and actions. Not only does Atticus’s seemingly eternal state of serenity set a good example for his children, it also makes him a subconscious leader for the rest of the town.

    Read More

  • Atticus Finch's Role Model In To Kill A Mockingbird

    966 Words  | 2 Pages

    Even though Atticus is more intelligent and sophisticated than others in Maycomb, Atticus shows respect to even the poorest, most uneducated farmers by addressing them politely and with great courtesy. In his own home, Atticus regards Calpurnia, a Negro woman, as an equal member of the household and trusts her to parent Scout and Jem in his absence. Another example of Atticus’s respectfulness is when he strips down in the courtroom, and Scout describes: “...he unbuttoned his vest, unbuttoned his collar, loosened his tie, and took off his coat” (Lee 271). Atticus chooses to take off his formal attire in order to appeal to a jury of white farmers, and by doing so, he shows the jury that he believes everyone is equal in the eyes of God. Atticus’s ability to see the value in the individual makes him not only an effective lawyer, but also a respectful citizen and an influential moral

    Read More

  • Respect in To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

    485 Words  | 1 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Atticus Discrimination In To Kill A Mockingbird

    488 Words  | 1 Pages

    The first reason that Atticus does not like discrimination is because nobody would help Tom Robinson Atticus. Atticus stood up for Tom because he does not like discrimination. “He in there mr Finch a man said he is we heard Atticus say. And he’s asleep so don't wake him”(204). Atticus was keeping the mob from bothering Tom so he would not be able to sleep. Atticus took a stand to tell Tom’s wife Helen that Tom was shot because no one else would. “Tom’s dead Aunt Alexandra put her hands to her mouth they shot him”. Atticus is taking Cal to tell Helen that tom was shot because he was trying to escape prison. They are going to tell helen because no one else would.

    Read More

  • Atticus Defending A Negro

    467 Words  | 1 Pages

    Atticus is wise and always mindful of others based on how he treats others and reacts to certain situations. His job is to defend people who need him because he’s a lawyer and race should not be a factor that determines whether he will try his best when defending someone. When he has to defend a “Negro”, the town spreads gossip about him because they are so focused on society and how they would be viewed if they supported him. Scout becomes confused when she hears about her father and she decides to confront him about it, “Atticus sighed. I’m simply defending a Negro. . . Scout you aren’t old enough to understand some things yet, but there's been some high talk around town to the effect that I shouldn't do much about defending this man.” (75).

    Read More

  • To Kill A Mockingbird Atticus Actions

    1028 Words  | 3 Pages

    He hopes that no one will judge Jem and Scout in light of their father defending a black person. More importantly, he hopes that his children will not become racist and bitter due to seeing how ugly and complicated of a case this case will be due to involving two races. He knew what he is getting himself into is not going to be easy, he says to Scout,” You might hear some ugly talk about it at school, but do one thing for me if you will: you just hold your head high and keep those fists down. No matter what anybody says to you, don’t you let ‘em get your goat. Try fighting with your head for a change… it’s a good one, even if it does resist learning"(101). Atticus knows that he and his family are going to face a lot of derision from many people in their town, he expresses to Scout that she will have to face a lot of criticism. It will be for the higher purpose of defending/helping Tom Robinson, an innocent man that deserves justice. He also expresses to Scout that she should not listen to what people say and not let the negativity get to her. He tells Scout that she should hold her head high and not to be violent. Atticus is defending Tom Robinson because he

    Read More

  • Scout Finch Maturity

    884 Words  | 2 Pages

    Admittedly at the beginning of the novel, Scout disliked Atticus’ physical appearance and thought he was listless. She discussed with Jem how “Atticus was too tired to play football”, and how he was “old and feeble”. Scout was disappointed he wasn’t like “The younger fathers in Maycomb” and often complained to others how he was too old to do anything. But regardless of his figure, Scout matured significantly from Atticus’ positive influences and not only respect him, but like him. Since a child, Scout and her older brother have been treated with respect and as adults. Living at a time of white supremacy, Atticus counteracts the hateful, destructive racism

    Read More

  • Effects Of Fathers In To Kill A Mockingbird

    1139 Words  | 3 Pages

    He wants to have a real relationship with his kids. Atticus says to Scout, “You just hold your head high and keep those fists down… Try fighting with your head for a change,” (76). He always makes sure to watch out for Jem and Scout; he knows when to get onto them and when to let them learn and make mistakes on their own which gives his kids a different kind of respect for him. When Scout gets in trouble for acting out towards Francis she talks to Uncle Jack about it. He tells her how disappointed he feels towards her and begins saying that she can not call people such things. Scout gets upset and starts saying to Uncle Jack, “You ain’t fair… you don’t understand children much… When Jem an’ I fuss Atticus doesn’t ever listen to just Jem’s side of it, he hears mine too,” (113). They recognize how fair Atticus acts towards them, therefore to endure different treatment feels absurd and Scout does not know how to react to it.

    Read More

  • Atticus Finch Symbolism

    1430 Words  | 3 Pages

    In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee has used the figure of Atticus Finch to be a symbol of hope and a role model for his children and all who live in Maycomb. His role as a lawyer challenges him at times, but he remains an admirable figure in the 1930’s. His sense of justice shows that he wants the best for everyone such as the first clients he had where he ‘had urged them to take the state’s generosity in allowing them to plead Guilty to second-degree murder and escape with their lives.’ Even though these men are clearly guilty, Atticus wants everyone to have the best outcome and live another day. Atticus’s symbolism with a mockingbird helps to show how he doesn’t do anything just for himself, but for the good of the community, this is shown

    Read More

  • Atticus Finch Respect

    992 Words  | 2 Pages

    All Human Beings in the world deserve to be treated with passion and respect. Often in society, certain individuals fail to treat everyone with the compassion and respect that they deserve. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, a man named Atticus Finch makes it a priority to teach his children about the importance of treating everyone with compassion and respect. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee teaches society that all human beings should be treated with respect and compassion, regardless of their actions.

    Read More

  • To Kill A Mockingbird Adversity Analysis

    2074 Words  | 5 Pages

    I do my best to love everybody... I'm hard put, sometimes—baby, it's never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is, it doesn't hurt you." (144). In this quote, Atticus gives Scout as well as the readers a lecture in how racism works. Atticus strongly and emotionally tells Scout that only racists use the term “nigger-lover” to suggest that someone is favoring African-Americans more than the white people. Atticus points out to Scout that he is arguing for equality and loving everybody on the same level. In this quote, the purpose of Atticus Finch is to explain to others that racist term to negatively use against others is not good nor acceptable but to love and treat others with respect rather than disrespect. As the novel goes on, Atticus faces many many struggles, both in and out of the courtroom. He is laughed at and disrespected by the white racists in the community. Despite all this, Atticus believes in equality and states "Which, gentlemen, we know is in itself a lie as black as Tom Robinson's skin, a lie I do not have to point out to you. You know the truth, and the truth is this: some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around women—black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men. There is not a person in this courtroom who has never told a lie, who has never done an immoral thing, and there is no man

    Read More

  • Atticus Finch Moral

    472 Words  | 1 Pages

    He contributes this to her moral education by having a conversation about Scouts experiences.  Scout brings up that someone at school told her that her father was a “n***** lover” ().  Although the exact saying was a derogatory and hurtful term, Atticus admitted he “certainly [is].  [He] do[es] [his] best to love everybody,” (144).  He explained to Scout that even though others were being critical and rude about his decision, he sticks by it.  This is important to the development of Scout considering it allows her to develop her own opinions of race, social class, etc. without the influence of

    Read More

  • To Kill A Mockingbird Life Lessons Analysis

    1025 Words  | 3 Pages

    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

    Read More

More about Atticus Respectful In To Kill A Mockingbird

Open Document