From personal experience, many take a stand for what they believe in, like when I believed that something is right, I stick to the thing I think is right. Like one time I had believed that proper manners are right, and so I stood for that one time when I had told my sister to say thank you to her friend, after she had received something from them. And so, in class we’ve read a book called ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ (bestselling prize winner) that had been written beautifully by the author Harper Lee, and was written as the genre, Realistic Fiction. To Kill a Mockingbird takes place in a small town called Maycomb and has many unique characters such as Atticus, a lawyer that enjoys reading, Scout, a young girl who tends to dress like a tomboy, …show more content…
My first example of Atticus supporting/standing for equality can be found on chapter 11, when Scout ask Atticus if he is a negro lover, which Atticus replies by saying “I certainly am. I do my best to love everybody (144).” This supports Atticus’s passion for standing for equality, because he says he tries to love everyone, which this symbolizes equality. My second example of Atticus supporting/standing for equality can be found on chapter 20, when Atticus is doing his speech during the court case of Tom, which Atticus says “What was the evidence of her offense? Tom Robinson, a human being (272).” This supports Atticus’s passion for standing for equality, because he specifically states Tom being a human being, which is what we all are, so this symbolizes equality. And finally, my third and final example of Atticus supporting/standing for equality can be found on chapter 20, when Atticus is speaking to the courtroom during his speech, which leads him to say “There is not a person in this courtroom who has never told a lie (273).” This supports Atticus’s passion for standing for equality, because by what Atticus had said, it shows he sees all as equal because he believes that all had never not told a
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.
Atticus Finch is the most significant character, in To Kill a Mockingbird, who challenges racial prejudice as he does not follow the norms, in Maycomb, of being racially prejudice towards others. At first, Atticus Finch is reluctant to take on Tom Robinson’s case; however in the end, he willingly accepts. Unlike the majority of Maycomb residents, Atticus is not racist and makes no distinction upon race, he sees Negroes, just like Tom Robinson, as the same equality as any other person in the Maycomb community. For this reason, he believes they should be trea...
Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus demonstrates himself as a loyal, humble man towards his family and especially towards Tom Robinson. Atticus respects and desires for everyone to be treated equally, no matter the color of their skin, thus he remains loyal to Tom since he believes that Tom deserves a fair trial. When Atticus tells Scout that “the main reason is, if I didn’t defend Tom I couldn’t hold my head in town, I couldn’t represent the country in legislature, I couldn’t tell you or Jem not to do something again” (86), he means that if he does not defend and show loyalty to Tom, he will have not stood up for true justice and equality, thus shaming himself forever. Therefore, even when faced with so much opposition, Atticus continues to stick up for Tom because he wants to promote and uphold justice and fairness for all to
Atticus Finch is another victim of prejudice in the novel. After accepting to defend Tom Robinson, the town doesn't treat Atticus as an equal. The people of Maycomb believe that Atticus should not present a proper defense for a black person. Atticus doesn't care for this because he believes in equal rights. Atticus does not believe in racism or prejudice. Many people believe that Atticus should not defend a black person in court. This is because many people in Maycomb think a black person is guilty before anything is announced. While Atticus is defending Tom, Atticus makes the jury think differently about Bob Ewell. This makes Bob threaten and disrespect Atticus and his family. Atticus is not bothered by this because he knows he is doing the
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.
Albert Camus once said, “Rebellion cannot exist without the feeling that somewhere, in some way, you are justified.” This genius makes it clear that one does not rebel against society unless one feels that it is for the better. This accurately sums up the mindset of both young Scout Finch, the main character of To Kill a Mockingbird, a classic American novel, and Harper Lee, the author, when they made their decisions to go against “the flow” and follow their hearts. Scout Finch goes against the flow by being one of the only people in Maycomb who discounts racism enough to voluntarily associate with black people, and Harper Lee goes against the flow by publishing a controversial novel that does not agree with everyone in America. The author
Atticus’s character reflects true integrity and this integrity makes him the most accepting and equal character. First, Atticus accepts a very controversial role as Tom Robinson’s lawyer, and this shows how he doesn’t care that Tom is black. Even with a majority of the town against him, he tried his best to win the case. They may have lost, but he fought a tough battle that no other lawyer would have. Second, Atticus views the world through other peoples standpoint. Mrs. Dubose was a major aspect in this viewpoint. She may have been cruel at times to the finches, but she was very ill and was expected to pass soon. He treated Mrs. Du...
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.
His words reflect those of Atticus Finch when he says: “...in our courts all men are created equal” (274). Atticus’ message is relevant because it models what Martin Luther King Jr. wanted for this nation. King wanted to live in a world where people would not have to fear they would be persecuted based on their race. Atticus explains that that is exactly how the world should work. The two of them taught Americans that judgement should be reserved until character is accounted for.
The unforgettable, Anne Frank, wrote long ago, “Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands” (Goodreads). In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, the novel revolves around three children named, Scout, Jem, and Dill. It follows them through their years of growing up and coming to understand the importance of lessons, Atticus, Scout and Jem’s father, advises them. Furthermore, Lee shows often the best lessons are learned outside the classroom.
Atticus is fighting for equal rights. In chapter 20, Atticus says ,”There is not a person in this courtroom who has never told a lie,.. never done an immoral
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
To Kill a Mockingbird is a story about equality. In the setting of this book (Maycomb, Alabama) the inequality of races is completely normal to people’s everyday lives. The disrespect of African-Americans in this book is an ordinary occurrence that most people have grown up accustomed to, but there are some who don’t wish to be a part of this discrimination. One of these people being Atticus Finch, the father of Jem and Scout. Atticus uses the world around him to teach his children how to give all people respect no matter what their race or social class is. Atticus Finch is a good-hearted, moral lawyer in the discriminatory town of Maycomb Alabama. Amongst the blabbermouths and discriminatory townspeople of Maycomb, Atticus wants his children to be different from them, and to learn how to respect the dignity of everyone using the changes in their lives to teach them.
Harper Lee achieved the most important dream of a writer; her book is timeless. The theme of To Kill a Mockingbird, courage, is one that no one can deny is a central idea not only in the novel but also in life. People believe that courage is something that everyone is born with, but I disagree. Atticus once told Scout, “"They're certainly entitled to think that, and they're entitled to full respect for their opinions," said Atticus, "but 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.” Only courageous people can teach others to stand up for what they truly believe in.
In Harper Lee's novel To Kill A Mockingbird the protagonist Scout face offenses by others because of her father's justice for defending an African American in court. Scout Finch lives with her brother Jem, and their father Atticus, in the sleepy town of Maycomb during the Great Depression. As Atticus, the father of the protagonist faces the moral dilemma in chapter 29-30 of the incident with Bob Ewell. Atticus moral dilemma will reveal his character and his beliefs. Bob Ewell attempted to hurt Atticus children in order to get revenge on Atticus for defending the African American who was accused of raping his daughter in court. Atticus has a hard time of choosing whether to tell the town that Bob Ewell died of an accident, or his son or Boo Radley killed Bob Ewell. Atticus is a famous lawyer in Maycomb and he believes in legal justice.