How Is Atticus Finch Influential

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The first way that Atticus Finch is the most influential character is To Kill a Mockingbird is through his actions. In the story, Atticus made Jem and Scout read to Mrs. Dubose and enforced her willing for them to do so. On page 140, it states, “ ‘Atticus,’ he said, ‘she wants me to read to her.’ ‘Read to her?’ ‘Yes sir. She wants me to come every afternoon after school and Sundays and read to her out loud for two hours. Atticus, do I have to?’ ‘Certainly.’ ‘But she wants me to do it for a month.’ ‘Then you’ll do it for a month’” (Lee 140). In this moment in the book, Atticus is showing to believe in standing up for what you did, admitting what was wrong with your actions, and pay the consequences. This moment shows that Atticus believes in building character, and taking responsibility for one's actions. Another example of Atticus being influential through his actions is how he treats his kids. He treats his kids like he would any other adult. The reader can see this on page 6, it says, “...he played with us, read to us, and treated us with …show more content…

Throughout the book, Atticus interacts with many people of the town, some nice, and some mean. One example of a mean townsman would be Mr. Bob Ewell. In the text the reader sees that , “...this morning Mr. Bob Ewell stopped Atticus on the post office corner, spat in his face, and told him he’d get him if it took him the rest of his life” (Lee 290). When Bob does this, this proves that he does not like Atticus and is a very rude and mean person. On the next page, the reader sees how Atticus reacts. He reacts by saying, “‘I Wish Bob Ewell wouldn't chew tobacco…’” (Lee 291). When Atticus says this, the reader is shown that Atticus does not get phased by physical assault. He plays the bigger man in the situation and ignores the hate that is directed towards him and shuts down Bob with no

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