Similarities Between Atticus And To Kill A Mockingbird

Looking at the changes in Atticus, and the relationship he has with his daughter Jean Louise, the question that arises is Does society change for the better, or do those in society adapt to the bad? With reference to both Go Set a Watchman and To Kill a Mockingbird we see the character's adaption to society's ways whereas society making changes to embrace new views on integration within a society. This topic is explored through multiple characters in the both books. First, we see this Jean Louise’s love interest and potential future husband Henry Clinton.

In the text it states, “ … men, especially men, must conform to certain demands of the community they live in simply so they can be of service to it?” (Lee 230) Although Henry knows that

it’s not necessarily right to agree with these racist way of living, he wouldn’t necessarily change it because he know the benefit it brings to him, and because he’s a man is what society “requires”of him.
Next, we see these same racist ideologies in Alexandra Finch. She is Scout’s Aunt who only cares about her image, the Finch family name, and agrees with the derogatory argument in the pamphlet that Blacks are supposed to be beneath Whites. In the text it states “We Finches do not marry the children of rednecked white trash, which is exactly what Henry's parents were when they were born and were all their lives." (Lee 36) From this, readers see that Alexandra is only focus on class and representation. To her, anything and anyone who does not meet up to the Finch standard to her is quite useless.
Then, we see these adaptations Calpurnia. In the text it states, “As long as I’ve lived I never remotely dreamed that anything like this could happen. And here it is. I cannot talk to the one human who raised me from the time I was two years old… it is happening as I sit here and I cannot believe it. Talk to me Cal. For God’s sake talk to me right. Don’t sit there like that!” (Lee 160) When Scout goes to see Calpurnia after hearing about the incident with Calpurnia’s grandson, Calpurnia doesn’t see “her baby, Scout” instead she see’s just another white woman. Therefore, she doesn’t treat her the way she did when she was growing up.
Finally, we see adapting in Atticus.

In fact, he’s the greatest example of adapting to the idealistic views that Maycomb has. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus under no circumstance was willing to side with things he knew were not right. For example, when saying his closing statement in the courtroom defending Tom Robinson Atticus states “You know the truth, and the truth is this: some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around women—black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men. There is not a person in this courtroom who has never told a lie, who has never done an immoral thing, and there is no man living who has never looked upon a woman without desire.” (Lee

208)
This quote explains that Atticus finds it that no matter what race you are, you can do something wrong. Therefore, the argument that Tom Robinson committed the crime of raping and beating Mayella Ewell because of skin color is an unfair argument. This shows that Atticus has a sense of morality, and him being against unrightful actions against those who are not able defend themselves because of something they can control like the color of their skin. This Atticus Finch is completely different from the Atticus we meet years later.
In Go Set a Watchman, Atticus joins a council in support of the idea that those who are colored are below Whites. In Chapter 17, Jean Louise goes to her father’s office where she is greeted by Henry, which turn into a full blown argument. In the text it states, “I don’t know much but I know one thing. I know I can’t live with you. I cannot live with a hypocrite.” (Lee 234) From this, Scout is disappointed in Henry because he isn’t willing to acknowledge the start for change because of who he is.
Then, Atticus, who is standing behind Scout responds with “I don’t know why you can’t.

Hypocrites have just as much right to live in this world as anybody.” (Lee 235) This comment leads into a confrontation between Atticus and Jean Louise where she explains how she is appalled by his recent actions, compares him to Hitler, and most importantly she tells him that the real problem she has with him is that he betrayed her by leading her to believe he was her hero when really he had the same ignorant, racist views of colored people also in Maycomb also. After Scout asks Atticus why is it that colored people are not given the same opportunities and chances are white people. To this he tells her “Have you ever considered that you can’t have a set of backward people living among people advanced in one kind of civilization and have a social arcadia?” (Lee 242) By this Atticus is implying that because blacks are not as “advanced” as whites, it is almost impossible to coexist in a society with

them.
Therefore, since Atticus has adapted to the ways of society it has caused a change in the relationship with his daughter. Jean Louise was raised by the morals that her father instilled in her, and was taught to always do the right thing. However, as we see this very noticeable change in Atticus years later, Jean Louise cannot look at her father as the man he once was. Instead, she sees him as another one of the racist individuals that live in Maycomb which, were were the foundation for the examples Atticus taught most of her valuable life lesson upon.