To Kill A Mockingbird Atticus Loyalty Quotes

In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus, a lawyer and the father of Jem and Scout, displays great courage, loyalty, and patience in every situation.

Throughout the whole book, Atticus’ proves time and time again his remarkable courage, particularly during the time of Tom Robinson’s trial. No matter what challenges he faces, he always demonstrates bravery and valor while standing up for the truth. When he took up the task of defending Tom over the alleged rape of Mayella Ewell, he knew he was walking into a dangerous situation supporting a black man in a courtroom in Alabama, and yet he boldly chose to affirm what he believed was right and to argue against Tom’s accusers. Even when “Mr. Ewell approached him, cursed him, spat on him, and threatened to kill him” (248) after the trial, he handled the situation calmly and fearlessly by ignoring him and continuing on his way. Because of this remarkable quality in Atticus’ life, the people of Maycomb love and admire him.

Not only does Atticus show boldness and courage, but outstanding loyalty as well.

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

see.

Lastly, although Atticus exhibits a great many other qualities, his most evident one is his patience with his kids and in the courtroom, especially when dealing with Mayella Ewell. In every chapter of the book that Atticus speaks or acts in, his patience shines through. For example, even when dealing with his kids who continually barrage him with complaints and questions, he acts as every loving father should with patience and slow-temperedness. Not only that, he also demonstrates immense forbearance when interrogating Mayella at Tom Robinson’s trial. Throughout the conversation with Mayella, she repeatedly accused Atticus of mocking her because of the fact that she got irritated when he would call her ma’am or Miss Mayella, and answered every of his questions very disrespectfully. Atticus, however, would respond by “strolling to the window and letting Judge Taylor handle it” (207), instead of bursting out in anger, and also by replying to her disrespectful comments with self-control and politeness. As a result of his tremendous patience at all times, he is able to prevent conflict from happening, and help restore peace.