To Kill A Mockingbird Essays: Atticus Finch

736 Words2 Pages

Atticus Finch, a character in the moving novel To Kill a Mockingbird illustrates a strong and moral character through the honorable way he treats and views the world around him. Although uncommon and rather controversial, Atticus’s honesty, hard-working nature, and respectable actions provide the Finch children with a unique understanding of the world around them and inspire countless lives in Maycomb, Alabama. Even in an environment where most individuals treat the Finch family unfairly, this reliable friend and father communicates to his children that they will never understand a person’s motives until they have truly walked in their shoes. With an optimistic outlook and an open mind, one can always learn something new from the experienced and inspirational Atticus Finch. …show more content…

Many individuals personally involved in the Finch family’s life do not understand how he speaks so candidly to his bright yet vulnerable children. Generally, Atticus sees the importance of not “sugar coating” any truths the children seek to understand. His parenting philosophies are illustrated in Chapter 9 when he explains, "When a child asks you something, answer him, for goodness sakes. But don't make a production of it. Children are children, they can spot an evasion quicker than adults” (116). Refusing to “dumb down” the facts of life, he prepares Jem, Scout and even Dill for the insensitive nature of the world they live in. Overall, Atticus displays pure honesty towards his young children and views every day as an opportunity to teach them something of

To Kill a Mocking Bird - Maturation
1082 Words | 3 Pages
Throughout the novel, Atticus’ assistance to Jem and Scout’s development becomes evident. Atticus takes every opportunity to attempt to teach his children the importance of having an open-mind. For instance, when Scout queries Atticus about Maycomb’s prejudice perspective, he tells her, “You never really understand a person until…you climb in their skin and walk around in it.” (Lee 30) Even during the early stages of the novel, it is apparent that Atticus endeavors to instill the values of empathy and tolerance within Jem and Scout by teaching them how to have multiple perspectives on a situation. In addition, Atticus also attempts to enlighten his children about peaceful resolution in society. For example, when Atticus is chosen to defend Tom Robinson, Atticus tells Scout, you might hear some ugly talk about it at school but…you just hold your head high and keep those fists down.”...
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How Does Atticus Show Innocence In To Kill A Mockingbird
1095 Words | 3 Pages
Compassionate, dramatic, and deeply moving, Harper Lee's, To Kill a Mockingbird takes readers to the roots of human behavior, to innocence and experience, kindness and cruelty, love and hatred, and the struggle between blacks and whites. Atticus Finch, a lawyer and single parent in a small southern town in the 1930's, is appointed by the local judge to defend Tom Robinson, a black man, who is accused of raping a white woman. Friends and neighbors object when Atticus puts up a strong and spirited defense on behalf of the accused black man. Atticus renounces violence but stands up for what he believes in. He decides to defend Tom Robinson because if he did not, he would not only lose the respect of his children and the townspeople, but himself as well.
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Comparing 1930's Society, as Depicted in To Kill a Mockingbird with Present Day Society
864 Words | 2 Pages
“You never really understood a person until you consider things from his point of view—until you climb into his skin and walk around it.” Atticus Finch is a man of extreme integrity. He, as both a lawyer and a human being, stands up for his democratic beliefs and encourages his children to stand up for their own, though they may stand alone. Harper Lee showed how far respect went in To Kill a Mockingbird when Atticus defended Tom Robinson in his rape trial. He did not think twice about being ridiculed by th...
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Atticus Finch As A Hero Essay
841 Words | 2 Pages
In Harper Lee’s novel Atticus Finch is represented as a very courageous person whose courageousness the author of the novel brings to our attention all throughout the book but since our time is limited the student needs only to highlight three situations where they feel Atticus Finch is courageous for example he accepts a criminal case that involves a Black...
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TKAM
632 Words | 2 Pages
To Kill A Mockingbird supports the argument that parents are highly influential on their children. It is evident that children do take their parents advice. This story illustrates both types of influences Atticus has on his kids which make them better individuals: the influence he has on them while they grow up and the advice they obtain from him in the future.
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To Kill A Mockingbird Essay
909 Words | 2 Pages
In To Kill a Mocking Bird, By Harper Lee, Fictional Novel, Scout has had many experiences with several characters. She as one of the main characters throughout To Kill Mocking Bird, has always judged other characters or people based on their appearances and actions. Atticus, scouts father explains about this by telling Scout that most people are nice “when you finally see them” (Lee, 376). But how does this theme apply to past minor characters? Does scout later realize that her thought of who the person was before was false? .Based on past characters scout judged before and after. The author Harper Lee shows that in the book To Kill A Mocking Bird, misunderstandings and interpretations, demonstrates the fact that, once you put yourself into someone else’s shoes, you as a human being will later understand and reflect on what you knew about the person before and determine who the person really is, and what morals do they as a character demonstrate. Though this, the theme implies to minor characters in the book such as: Calpurnia, Mrs. Dubose and Dolphus Raymond. Firstly, based on To Kill a Mocking Bird, Scout, understands the fact that most people are nice at first when you see them because of Calpurnia. From the book…”Hush your mouth! Don’t matter who they are anybody steps foot in this house’s yo company” (Lee, 33). In chapter 3 based on this quotation, When Walter Cunningham arrives inside Scouts home, Scout judged Walter. This made Calpurnia as a minor character angry and so she tells scout based on the quote. This makes Scout as a major character feel a bit mad because, Scout never agrees with Calpurnia’s teachings. Though later we as the reader realize that Scout has a change of character in the book. For e...
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To Kill a Mockingbird Essay
621 Words | 2 Pages
The world’s greatest innovator Steve Jobs once said, ”Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most importantly, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” Whenever someone explains what courage is, a person’s definition would be about overcoming fear or having bravery. Despite that, courage can be an individual handling what society is asking from them and going by what their hearts say and dealing with their own problems. This concept comes into play in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, where several of Lee’s characters experience courage by going against societal means. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee connects the characters going through their own conviction to show her theme that courage is going against society’s beliefs and handling one’s situation.
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To Kill A Mockingbird Essay
1782 Words | 4 Pages
Optical illusions can appear to be moving, but really are not. At a certain angle they seem different than in actuality. The same is true about people. It is part of human nature to self deceive as some do not necessarily see the truth from both the outside and inside of a person. On the surface appearances are misleading as it does not take any depth into consideration. In Harper Lee's novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" Scout, the protagonist innocence leaves her naive to the harsh realities of Maycomb. As she involves herself more with the town, people's true colours begin to unravel. Her eyes begin to open to the mirage of her pure life by rumors and actions of the people around her. Along with the verdict of Tom Robinson. Scout learns that reality is different than it appears through her unassuming neighbors, father and the trial.
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To Kill A Mockingbird Essay
947 Words | 2 Pages
In previous eras, anti-Black sentiment was widely acknowledged and sometimes encouraged in the United States. Black litigants have endured a long history of racist attitudes and inequality in the criminal justice system To this day, it is impossible to determine if jurors present an unbiased trial for the defendants regardless of their racial background. Although the undercurrent of racism may continue to be present in modern juries, racial prejudice in the modern legal system is certainly less flagrant as many.
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How Is Atticus Finch Selfish
748 Words | 2 Pages
Through evaluating the character of Atticus Finch, I have found evidence showing him to be peaceful, reserved man, but also one who has the strength to stand for what he believes in and who will do what needs to be done whatever the cost. When one first looks at Atticus Finch, the first thing one notices is his generally quiet and reserved aura. This can be supported by something his daughter, Scout, said: “Our father didn’t do anything” (Lee 94). It is not that Atticus sits around all day doing nothing that bothers Scout, simply that her father is not like other fathers. “He did not play poker or fish or drink or smoke.
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Atticus Finch Hero Essay
1239 Words | 3 Pages
The book definition of a hero is, “a person, typically a man, who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.” Most people often think of a hero as someone that everyone knows, but in reality there are many heroes who are in our everyday lives that we do not know about. To be a hero it is said that you have to be patient, selfless, and have courage. Atticus Finch shows all of these traits on many occasions throughout the book. Many ordinary people like Atticus Finch possess these traits yet not everyone recognizes them.
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Atticus As A Model Parent
482 Words | 1 Pages
When he is confronted by awkward issues Atticus never tries to hide or cover up the truth. He tells Uncle Jack at Finches landing that when a child asks you something, “answer him, for goodness sake.” After Atticus is confronted by the mob outside the county jail, he doesn’t try to pretend that they weren’t there to hurt him. He admits that Mr Cunningham might have “hurt me a little.” When Scout asks Atticus if they are poor, the usual response would be to say no, so as not to scare Scout.
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Atticus Finch: Complexities of Morality
1291 Words | 3 Pages
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch, the father of Jem and Scout and defender of Tom Robinson, is a moral goal post. Yet he too learns about morality, that it is complex and non clear cut. Morality isn’t black or white, not dependent on the outcome or laws, but what is truly the right and courageous thing to do. Through Mrs. Dubose, Tom Robinson’s conviction, and the murder of Bob Ewell, Atticus Finch learns just how complex morality
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Good and Evil in To Kill a Mockingbird
1470 Words | 3 Pages
Growing up happens during the magical times of freedom given to children in their early years. Wise parents discern when freedom is necessary for their children, are very clear about their expectations, and determine fitting consequences for actions out of line. Harper Lee personifies this role of a wise and caring parent in the father figure of her novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus Finch, a character made to mirror the author’s own father, is a lawyer and a well-respected citizen of his Southern Alabama town. Through Atticus, Harper Lee establishes a standard of good and evil, developing the theme of morality during his interactions. Atticus establishes right from wrong in most every relationship, especially with his children, his friends and family, and his occupational ties. These relationships come to the reader filtered through the childlike lens of Scout Finch, Atticus’s young daughter, as she begins to encounter the weighty topics of the adult world.
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Justice In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee
903 Words | 2 Pages
Although he is a strong figure in the community, people now see Atticus as a disgrace. They believe he is bringing shame to his family, and call him a “nigger-lover”. His children, Scout and Jem, also suffer the repercussions due to their father’s actions. It is unfair for these young, innocent children to be put through such traumatic events. Atticus Finch is a good role model to his children, as well as to the community. He himself is also like a mockingbird.
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To Kill A Mockingbird Essays: Atticus Finch

To Kill a Mocking Bird - Maturation

How Does Atticus Show Innocence In To Kill A Mockingbird

Comparing 1930's Society, as Depicted in To Kill a Mockingbird with Present Day Society

Atticus Finch As A Hero Essay

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