More handpicked essays just for you.
Essays on the character of atticus finch
Essay on atticus finch as a person
Essay on atticus finch's character
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Henry Brooke Adams once said “Teachers affect eternity; no one can tell where their influence stops.” Though he was not an official teacher, it would not be unusual if Ms. Maudie spoke those same words about Atticus Finch! Atticus Finch always supported his children and raised them to be themselves. With all their struggles, Atticus’ profound guidance helped his children to always be the better person. Atticus taught his children not to yield to the immoral means of their community. While remaining as much friends as they were parent and child, Atticus’, Scout’s, and Jem’s alliance is a superb example of a positive relationship by how Atticus accepted his children for how they came, how their family always remained close and aided each other during stressful times, and how Atticus and his children, together, stood against the evil ways of society.
Atticus Finch, a widower, raised his children entirely by himself. Without a mother to look after them, Jean Louise (Scout) and Jem Finch were often left alone, performing acts that completely lacked any femininity. Every woman that visited the Finch household would
…show more content…
leave stunned at Scout’s conduct- she needed to be more “lady-like.” Instead of trying to alter his daughter’s personality, Atticus accepted her for who she was and let her continue her boyish games. The Finch family’s relationship is likely the most shining one in the novel. Though it may not seem it at times, their household is the brilliant example of a perfect family. In a town of darkness, their family stands out as the light at the end of the tunnel. Grenville Kleiser said, “By constant self-discipline and self-control, you can develop greatness of character,” which is practically the main principle that the Finches lived by. Every individual in the Finch household had struggles, but, with support from each other, they stayed disciplined and remained the best version of themselves. For example, help from her family enabled Scout to control her aggressive impulses, though it was tough. The relationship of the Finches called each member to fight their bad habits and live an honorable life. Their ways also affected those around them. Scout changed an entire lynch mob’s mindset with her respectful tone and affability, which she acquired at home. Though times are destructive, what we respond with is who we are, and the Finches are righteous. What Atticus ultimately taught his children is what the author, Harper Lee, strove to convey throughout the entire novel: do not give into society’s sinister ways.
The eyes of an ethical being clearly see the immorality in their community, when it is present, and prevent it from affecting them. When condemned by their own family, for defending a colored man, the three remained unified and continued fighting for what was just. Surrendering to wickedness because it seems as if it overpowers goodness, is the common manner, but if one stands up for what is right, more will follow. Atticus is the perfect example of a leader that would not allow anything to corrupt his values- even losing the Tom Robinson trial. Being their role model, he transferred his morals to his children. As the Finches’ ethics cannot be degraded, neither can their
relationship. Atticus’, Scout’s, and Jem’s unyielding relationship is an essential element of the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, because of how Atticus and his children only needed each other, how they fought their hardships together, and how they protected each other from the community’s threatening errors in judgment. Though people continuously advised otherwise, Atticus granted his children the freedom to live the way they want. Together, they helped each other to be their best, every day, and to resist conflict. In a place filled with sin, they kept their probity and fought against what others thought was harmless. In the end, no matter the outcome or journey to get there, the good always conquers the bad. On your journey, though, try to convince more people to come with you.
...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.
Lee illustrates Atticus Finch as a very understanding character, especially during the Tom Robinson trial. During the revolting times of the 1930s, it was outlandish for a white man to stand up for a Negro man. For example, when the towns’ people are talking about Atticus, they say, “You know the court appointed him to defend this nigger.” “Yeah, Atticus aims to defend him, that’s what is don’t like about it” (218). When Atticus is delegated to defend Tom Robinson, he not only defends him because he was ordered to. Atticus intentionally helped Tom and wanted Tom to win. Even though the towns’ people did not like Atticus aiming to defend Tom, he understood that it was his duty to help him. Another example is in chapter 22 when Bob Ewell spits on Atticus’s face. Atticus didn’t react intrusive because he knew that it would affect people’s outlook on the trial and on Tom. Atticus stood above the standard and helped a black man, which earned him respect from the Negro people in town. Atticus was very wholehearted when deciding to help Tom Robinson in the trial.
Through the development of Scout’s relationship with Arthur Radley, Scout develops and becomes more empathetic. Atticus Finch, Scout’s father, is her most consistent role model and used by Lee as the moral compass. Atticus is a firm believer in teaching by example, and his respect of his children is such that he treats them almost as adults, emphasised in the line ‘he played with us, read with us, and treated us with courteous detachment’ pg. 6. This refusal to shelter Scout from the harsh realities of life in Maycomb allows her to learn from experience. The strong moral guidance offered by Atticus allows Scout not only to learn from experience, but also to develop her personal integrity. Atticus exemplifies his strong beliefs, as illustrated when he says ‘Shoot
Atticu Finch is one of they key characters in the book who leads by example and shows what courage is. In chapter nine, Atticus takes a case to defend a Negro who has been accused of raping Bob Ewell’s daughter Mayella444. Atticus, the father of main characters Scout and Jem Finch, loves and cares for his children, although since the children’s mother passed away when they were at a young age, Atticus is not always sure of how to fill her role. In chapter thirteen, Aunt Alexandra stays with the Finch family so that she can help them if anything happens while Atticus defends the black man, Tom Robinson. Atticus has always been respected in the town of Macomb, until he takes the Robinson case, which leads to controversy within his friends and his family. On several different instances, the towns people tried to convince him not to, and o...
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.
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 Finch is a lawyer in the town of Maycomb In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, he is a father of two children, Jem and Scout Finch. He is a man of wise character and considerate soul. He knows his morals and tries to help his children grow up to be successful and happy. Throughout the novel, Atticus acts justly, loves tenderly, and walks humbly by the way he perceives the people in his life, how he succeeds in his job and treats his family.
Atticus Finch is a single parent, and faces most of the troubles and challenges a single parent today must deal with. Unlike other parents though, Atticus is more allowing and open to letting his kids, Jem and Scout, do as they please. His personality may contribute a lot to this. Atticus is kind, easygoing, and shows respect for all human beings. He treats everyone with equal respect, as well as his kids. Atticus allows his daughter Scout to be herself. Scout is the youngest out of the siblings, and fits more into the ‘tomboy’ personality. Aunt Alexandra, Atticus’s sister, believes
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 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.
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.”...
The morals for Scout and Jem to live by come from their father, Atticus Finch. He has experienced evils in his life, like the death of his wife, but he never lost faith in the good of people. He taught Scout and Jem right from wrong when they were young, because their mother was no longer around to teach them. Atticus understands that people have good and bad inside of them, but he feels that the good side can always overcome the bad side. This is true when he backed Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping Mr. Ewell’s daughter. Even though no one else helped Atticus out, he never gave up on Tom Robinson no matter how hard things got.
Atticus Finch, a father of two children. A son and daughter.A very smart father and very strict a times that helps everyone. In my eyes, Atticus Finch is a good so much as to a great father for many reasons such as niceness, race, and standing up for what you believe in and a big reason “Remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird…”, Chapter 10 pg.“Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy…”
To Kill A Mockingbird is an iconic book that has dazzled its’ readers throughout the years. The audience quickly falls in love with the quick-tempered, no nonsense girl that is Scout Finch. Readers, also, become fascinated with Atticus Finch, who seems to be a liberalist in a conservative town. Atticus gains a hero status because of his trial defending a wrongly convicted black man. The town and Scout think of Atticus as a revolutionary. Go Set A Watchman, however, contradicts any idea that Atticus is what some call a man before his time. Instead of a hero, he has become apart of the force that he was fighting in To Kill A Mockingbird. The difference in Atticus large, but so is the age difference
In the book To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch normally is seen as the most heroic and wonderful father out of many american classics. But Atticus’ unique way of parenting, compared to everybody else in Maycomb, is the downfall of this character because the way he leads by example, while trying to make his kids see the best in everyone and have empathy for them, Atticus puts them in danger and teaches them there is no consequences. The simple things such as not following through with his threats, and brushing comments off his shoulder without giving it a second thought are a few examples why his way of parenting is irresponsible.