Isocrates' The Educated Man versus Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird

The Greek philosopher Isocrates describes the characteristics of an ideal citizen in his essay, “The Educated Man”. From his point of view an educated man is not one who has pursued higher education but one who has good character and contributes to his society. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch is portrayed as an educated man because he has excellent morals and knows how to conduct himself. Atticus and the “educated man” are both the ideal and perfect members of a community and family. They are strong-minded, charismatic, and honorable – traits that most people strive for. The diction that Harper Lee uses when describing Atticus Finch helps create the image of the perfect and educated man.

Isocrates addresses the fact that an educated man has self-restraint and is always in control of his actions. An educated man never lets temperament, selfishness, or weakness overcome himself. One’s ability to carry himself in a honorable fashion is imperative for being a true educated man. Isocrates established a school of rhetoric is 392 B.C. that taught the art of persuasion to orators. From Isocrates’ perspective, an educated man is “not duly overcome by [his] misfortunes, bearing up under them bravely”. (line 9-10) By persuading others, an educated man can win arguments, or judicial trials in Atticus’ case, without having to be ill-mannered. When Atticus loses Tom Robinson’s case he doesn’t blame the jury for being prejudice or even Bob and Mayella Ewell for lying. Atticus stays calm under pressure and during stressful times. Later, when Atticus discuses Tom's death with Aunt Alexandria, he tells her that: “I told him what I thought, but I couldn’t in truth say that we had more than a good chance. I guess Tom was tired of taking white man’s chances and preferred to take his own.” (p. 235-236) Atticus knows that killing Tom Robinson was unnecessary and that they would have had a good chance with a better jury. However, he does not lose his temper and continues to think clearly. Even with all the things that he and his family have had to endure, he understands that violence or revenge will not solve any of his problems. It is in this way that he is an educated man.

Another characteristic of an educated man is that he is able to endure things he feels is distasteful.