Atticus Finch is a brilliant character who takes a huge stand in Harper Lee’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird.’ The book is based in the 1930’s from a little girl named Jean Louise’s point of view, though people call her Scout. The section of the book being discussed is her father Atticus taking a stand and defending a Negro man named Tom Robinson against the white trash Ewell family. It makes sense for him to take this stand for more reasons than one. It makes sense because of this man’s brave, selfless character. In chapter one it is said that Atticus paid for his brothers education for medical school. “For several years thereafter he invested his earnings in his brother’s education.” Pg, 5. This reflects his selflessness, most people wouldn’t do that. Especially in this setting and time period. In chapter 15, Atticus leaves the house late at night to keep Tom Robinson safe from the mob made up of the people of Maycomb. ““I’m going out for a while,” he said. “You folks’ll be in bed when I come back so I’ll say goodnight now.” With that, he put his hat on, and went out the back door.”Pg.198. …show more content…
When Scout started asking Atticus about the Tom Robinson case, Atticus says something minor and often overlooked. ““ Do you defend nig*ers, Atticus?” I asked him that evening. “Of course I do, don’t say nig*er, Scout. That’s common.””Pg.99. Atticus doesn’t see the need to divide Negroes from white people. In his eyes they are to be treated equally. In chapter 9, Atticus says something that is major to the theme of the book, and on how people should be treated equal. “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win.”Pg.101. Just because the world is and has been accustomed to one race or one color doesn’t mean Atticus has to be. The want for equality this man has can be seen here as another reason to defend
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.
Harper Lee's novel To Kill a Mockingbird was published in the year of 1960, and is one of the few American classic novels awarded the Pulitzer Prize. The racism that is prevalent in many southern American towns in the 1930s is brought to life with profound imagery in To Kill a Mockingbird. There are several characters in the book, yet the true main character is the narrator's father, Atticus Finch. He is a man of great integrity and intelligence. A very heroic figure in more ways than one, Atticus possesses traits like being principled, determined, and, more importantly, he teaches others. When looking at To Kill a Mockingbird, one can see that Lee uses lots of description, dialogue, and actions to portray Atticus as a heroic individual.
Atticus wants his children to ignore what everybody thinks of him when defending a negro. During a conversation between Jem and Atticus, tells Jem,” As you grow older, you'll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, whenever a white man does that to a black man, that white man is trash.” (223). At the court Atticus is sure that he will lose but wants to make a statement to this racist society. He wants this county to treat black people just how they treat white people....
“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, 33) What Atticus means in this quote, is a lot like the quote “don’t judge a book by its cover”. It means you shouldn’t judge anyone by the way they look. You have to get to know them first. * “Imagine you’re playing a game of monopoly. The money is handed out. The player on your right gets double your a mount and the player to your left gets triple your amount. There is also a change of rules. Instead of collecting two hundred dollars when you pass go like the other players, you
Atticus shows great compassion and tolerance when he stands up for the Negroes. He stands up and represents Tom Robinson because he believes that everyone should be treated equally in the court of law. He knows that because Tom was a Negro there would be a slim chance of winning. That fact never discouraged him though because he says that the main reason he is representing Tom is because, ' if I didn't I couldn't hold up my head in town, I couldn't represent this county in the legislature'; (75). He recited a speech, which clearly states that Tom Robinson is not guilty. In that speech he says, 'our courts have their faults, as does any human institution, but in this courts are the great levelers, and in our courts all men are created equal'; (205). He believed that prejudice and stereotyping is wrong and he tries to teach these morals to Scout and Jem.
Atticus Finch shows, in many ways, the true definition of a hero, but no situation was more important than the Tom Robinson trial. In Maycomb, the thought of taking a negro’s word instead of a white man’s was ridiculous to the citizens, especially over a matter as serious as a black man raping a white woman. Regardless of this information, Atticus still takes on Tom Robinson’s case and tries to make as big of a difference as possible. When Scout asks him if he thinks that he will win the case, Atticus subtly replies “No, honey” (76). Atticus goes on to explain, “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try and win” (76). Basically, Atticus believes that just because it is unlikely that he will win, it does not mean that he should just give up without trying. Throughout all the discrimination, Atticus remains tough and tries to achieve his goal, no matter how hard it is. This was an example of moral courage. Even Scout knows how hard her father is trying by comparing Atticus’ efforts to “watching Atticus walk down the street, raise a rifle to his shoulder and pull the trigger, but...
Atticus must live with himself before he can live with others. In the novel, Atticus even says, "Before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience." This clearly illustrates how Atticus must do what he thinks is right, because he can only live for himself and not others. Atticus demonstrates this when he refuses to treat African Americans with disrespect, as many other people in Maycomb do.
Needless to say, because Atticus is defending Tom Robinson, an african american, it gets his family criticized for defending “Negros”. Cecil Jacob tells Scout that her father “defends nigger” (Lee 74). Mr. Bob Ewell calls Atticus a “nigger lover” for defending Tom Robinson. Ever since Atticus took the case for Tom Robinson, The Finches became from being applauded to criticized for defending Robinson, and again applauded for trying his best to defend Tom
Discrimination divides and brings hatrid, whereas acceptance brings unity and love. When they had another trial about this case, Atticus could have brought up that their opinions might be biased. That they are convicting him of rape for no other reason than he’s black.
Atticus was incredibly courageous taking on tom Robinsons case against the prejudice of Macomb County and he shows incredible courage when he says, "Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try and won." He wants the people of Maycomb to hear the truth about Tom Robinson, "That boy may go to the chair, but he's not going till the truth's told." Chapter 15, Page 146. He was against the whole white community including his own sister practically said that he was a disgrace to his family Atticus tells scout when she asks him why he is taking the case he says "For a number of reasons. 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.
"There's something in our world that makes men lose their heads—they couldn't be fair if they tried. In our courts, when it's a white man's word against a black man's, the white man always wins. They're ugly, but those are the facts of life” (Lee ,223). Atticus told the jury thus quote. In tough situations Atticus always has great judgement. No matter the color, Harper Lee shows Atticus's character to be the most responsible out of most, he's also one of the most important characters in the book and is greatly talked about throughout the
During the life of Atticus Finch, racism proved itself to be an enormous problem. Many blacks and mixed people were seen as unworthy, different, and even lesser human beings. Although, Atticus was in the minority, he believed all people should be treated equally. One very important scene in the book involved a court case between a girl and a black man. Atticus Finch, believing all people should be treated with the same respect, was asked to defend the black man. Considering all the man’s background, work ethics, and personality, he discovered that the black man was no guiltier than the girl. Although in the end the black man was voted guilty, Atticus stood and fought for what was right. He displayed the equality, which Jesus wanted for all people, even if the decision would not benefit
Another example that suggests this is, On page 99 when the scout says to atticus,” Do you defend N-word’s Atticus”? Atticus responded with,” Of course I do. And don’t say the N- word Scout. That's common”. As a result of atticus defending african americans, he shows his kids that it is ok to defend people of color, even though in the south slavery was very prevalent and most people did not like nor respect african americans.
Atticus is very compassionate towards the blacks, trying to protect them in a racist town like Maycomb. Scout does not understand why Mrs.Dubose and Francis call Atticus a “nigger-lover”, asking if he is one, but Atticus says: “I certainly am. I do my best to love everybody […] it’s never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name.” (Lee 144-145). Even though many define “nigger-lover” as a bad term, Atticus points out that all he is arguing for is black rights, as they are too poor to afford proper legal defense. Atticus does not take racial discrimination lightly; he believes Maycomb treats blacks unequally. Not only does Atticus display affection to the blacks, he wants other white folk to do the same. After the Tom Robinson trial, Jem questions Atticus about the verdict against Tom, believing the ruling to be bias. Atticus
Similarly, when Atticus got to defend Tom Robinson, the black Negro who was in a trial by the false charge, Atticus shows the equality toward all people. Scout, who had been teased by friends who are prejudiced, asked Atticus, “‘You aren’t really a nigger-lover, then, are you’ ‘I certainly am. I do my best to love everybody” (p. 144). Atticus does his best to love everybody, no matter what race or color he or she has. Which means, he is being equal and treating people all the same.