Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee

Atticus Finch is a widower and the father or two children. His character can best be summed up as a man whose character is nearly the complete opposite of the general population of the town and indeed, many white people who lived in the southern states of America. He is a man without prejudice and racial hatred and is a good-hearted man of strong morals. He brings up his children the way he sees right, and defends the innocent represented by Tom Robinson in the novel.

Atticus is a man who knows no prejudice or racial hatred and this is what makes him unique in the novel. Contrary to the general feeling of the town, Atticus sees past a man's colour and looks into the depth of his character. In the beginning of the novel, on page 34, he tells 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.'; He manages to do this even though it means going against most of his neighbours and his family.

Which shows that Atticus is a man of strong morals and principles and a man who will stand up for what he believes is right. When asked by his children why he chose to defend Tom Robinson when he knew he would most likely not win he replied to them that is he hadn't, he wouldn't be able to believe in himself anymore. He chose to defend Tom Robinson because to choose not to would be going against all his personal morals and principles.

Because of these strong morals and principles, he is greatly respected by those in Maycomb 'who count'; Miss Maudie remarks upon Atticus 'We trust him to do right.'; Even those who don't fully agree with his non-racist attitude respect him. Not only is he respected for his character though, as his children find out. Jem and Scout, especially, are disappointed that Atticus doesn't seem to do anything the other men in the town do. He doesn't drink, he doesn't smoke and he doesn't play sport. Yet when a rabid dog enters the street and is likely to threaten the townspeople, Atticus is called upon to deal with it. Here we learn along with the children that Atticus is known as 'One Shot Finch'; for his remarkable ability with the rifle to hit nearly any target in the first shot.