Rights and Responsibilities
Potter Stewart, a notable associate justice in the Supreme Court once said, “Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have the right to do and what is right to do.” By this, he means that being moral and ethical isn’t always dependent of the limitations of law, but what is truly the moral thing to do. Atticus Finch, the main protagonist in To Kill a Mockingbird , is the father of Scout and Jem Finch. He is morally upright, believing in perspective and equality, no matter race or background. In Harper Lee’s classic novel, Atticus Finch undergoes multiple changes in his morals as he learns that morality is more complex than he thought it was.
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Mrs. Dubose, the neighbor of the Finch family, demonstrates extraordinary courage, which in turn, teaches Atticus what courage, an aspect of morality, is, and how being moral is not about the end result. In the beginning of To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus shoots and kills a rabid dog, inadvertently instilling in his kids the idea that courage is a man with a gun. Atticus knows this is not the case. After attacking Mrs. Dubose’s plants, Jem has to read to her. Unbeknownst to him, Mrs. Dubose was dying and she was addicted to painkillers. Yet as a final act, she breaks this addiction. Atticus remarks, “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his
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hand.” (Lee,149). In this Atticus conveys the true meaning of courage: staying true till the end. Ms. Dubose was seriously ill, yet decided to persevere. He takes this to heart, that courage isn’t a man with a gun. He notes, “It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what”(128). No matter the outcome, it is important to act morally and courageously. Moreover, Atticus is taught, along with his children, that courage, an aspect of morality, is staying true till the end, no matter what. This is what he does when he takes the case of Tom Robinson. Atticus applies this lesson of courage to the trial of Tom Robinson, where he takes a case knowing he will lose. In the beginning of Harper Lee’s novel, Atticus Finch learns that morality and courage isn’t just about doing what is right, but doing what is right no matter what. In Harper Lee’s classic, Atticus Finch, the noble, upright lawyer who defends Tom Robinson, faces bigotry and racism head on, pouring his heart and soul out onto the jury, in the hope that he can force them to see the truth: Tom is innocent. Moreover, he learns through Tom’s conviction that though it may seem futile to try to fight the odds, he has a moral obligation to what is right, no matter the impact on his reputation or safety. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Tom Robinson is falsely accused and is convicted of rape. Judge Taylor, wanting to give the poor man his best fight, assigns Atticus the job, one which he almost reluctantly takes. In Maycomb, Atticus Finch is known for his moral uprightness. Miss Maudie, while reminiscing on the trial and Atticus’ selection as lawyer remarks, “ We’re so rarely called on to be Christians, but when we are, we’ve got men like Atticus to go for us… Did it ever strike you (to Jem) that Judge Taylor naming Atticus was no accident? I thought, Atticus Finch won’t win, he can’t win, but he’s the only man in these part who can keep a jury out so long in a case like that”(Lee, 246). Her remarks demonstrate that it is undoubtedly Atticus who would give an African American a chance in an all white court with an all white jury. Unlike most white lawyers, who, in such circumstances, may not try their hardest, Atticus takes this case with purpose, carefully composing a plan to incriminate Bob Ewell, the true criminal, in order to vindicate Tom. In his closing statement, Atticus speaks from the heart, pleading with the jury to find Tom innocent, saying, “ In the name of God, believe him!” (234).In the end, however, Tom is found guilty after hours of deliberation and Atticus, who says he is tired, leaves visibly broken, his spirit crushed. For a man who was always the standard of morals for those around him, he begins to question whether it was worth it. With a tired body and weary soul, he returns home, retreating to bed. His sister, realizing these things, notes that it kills him inside, hurting him more than he lets on. The next day, he awakes to find an assortment of gifts left by the friends of Tom Robinson, showing their appreciation. He had made change, planting a seed in the jury, showing his devotion to Tom’s friends and family, and by setting an example for his children. In an age of true racism, he managed to make the jury question their morals, taking hours to condemn the man. Though it did not seem like it, doing what is right truly pays off, and Atticus sees this. Miss Maudie even notes that this is a small, yet important baby step on the way to change. During the trial of Tom Robinson, Atticus’ morals change, as he learns that though it may seem futile, it is important to act right, as acting morally makes gradual, yet important change. In the conclusion of To Kill a Mockingbird, all things come to head and Bob Ewell is killed after attacking Jem and Scout. This scene teaches Atticus a poignant lesson, that morality isn’t bound by the law, but what is truly right. After a play, Bob Ewell assaults Jem and Scout. A scuffle ensues, and in a self defense via bystander situation, Boo Radley kills Mr. Ewell. This places Atticus in a precarious situation. He wants someone to take responsibility for the killing, as it is the law. He also suspects it is Jem who kills Bob. Atticus, in this moment, makes a decision that is ethical and moral, but illegal. Not wanting this to follow his son for the rest of his life, he wants Jem to take responsibility for the killing. Yet it is Boo who kills Bob Ewell. Not wanting to cause more issues, Heck Tate then convinces Atticus to “let the dead bury the dead”(317). In this, Heck is telling him to let it go. Bob pays his life for his sins- Jem and Boo should not have to. Eventually, Atticus gives in, explaining to Scout, “Mr. Ewell fell on his knife”(Lee, 317). This predicament teaches Atticus that morality isn’t black and white, and that sometimes, the right thing to do isn’t the legal option. In the end, Atticus sees this and let’s the murder go without any legal action, because it was the right thing to do. In the stunning conclusion of To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch learns that morality isn’t defined by laws, but what is the right thing to do, no matter what. Morality is the principles discerning how one lives their life, whether it be courage, right from wrong, or ethics.
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
is.
Scout is a young girl growing up in the south, she is intelligent, thoughtful, and good natured. Her identity is somewhat uncommon during the time she lives in. She is characterized as a tomboy, who doesn’t always act “lady like” or proper by southern standards. Scout most likely became the type of person she is by the care of her father, Atticus. He shapes her mind, while trying to protect her from a dangerous world and preserving her childhood.
Some people do not know right from wrong, in, To Kill a Mockingbird we know that there was a black man accused of rape, given it is the 1930s in the South U.S, nobody will support this man, except Atticus Finch, a man that stands up for what is right. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses the character Atticus Finch to show that it is important for people to stand up for what is right because otherwise justice will never have a chance to prevail. Atticus shows this when he defends Tom, teaches Jem after the trial, and Atticus teaches Scout about the way she acts towards others.
Although they are critiqued, some people do whatever they can do to improve our society. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch proves himself to be a hero. This small-town lawyer exhibits bravery, strength, and modesty when faced with objection during Maycomb’s quarrel for justice. Without a doubt, Atticus proves that anybody can stand for what he or she believes is right.
Growing up in Maycomb, Southern Alabama in the 1930s was not an easy thing. Amid a town of prejudice and racism, stood a lone house where equality and respect for all gleamed like a shining star amid an empty space. The house of Atticus Finch was that shining star. Jean Louise Finch, also known as “Scout”, is given the opportunity of being raised in this house by her father, Atticus. I stole this essay from the net. As she grows, Atticus passes down his values of equality and righteousness to Scout and her brother Jeremy Atticus Finch, also known as “Jem”. In “To Kill a Mockingbird”, by Harper Lee, we see Scout learns many lessons about dealing with prejudice by observing the behavior of other characters in the story.
Mrs. Dubose was a real brave woman in the eyes of Atticus. Atticus tried to teach his children the true meaning of bravery by setting her as an example. Mrs. Dubose struggled so hard to die in the way that she wanted to die in, but she also did not ask for help although it was hard for her to fight the addiction alone. “Most of the time you were reading to her I doubt if she heard a word you said. Her whole mind and body were concentrated on that alarm clock.” (Harper Lee, 120)
It is a common question as to why Atticus Finch would defend Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman. What sense did it make, to stand by a negro like him? The Golden Rule Atticus lives by and the kind of person he is may have something to do with it, as well as the influence of his two kids, Jem and Scout. Now, after reading the whole text of To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus defending Tom makes perfect sense.
...death, but to leave this world free of addiction. Atticus uses Mrs. Dubose as an example of true courage to show Jem that courage isn't a man with a gun, but someone who fights for what's right whether he or she wins or not.
People who demonstrate great courage are often driven by the unwavering determination in their hearts. Mrs. Dubose, an elderly neighbor of the Finches, is a cantankerous ill-tempered woman who continually insults Scout and Jem as they pass by her house. One day, Jem destroys Mrs. Dubose’s camellia plants in a fit of rage, and must read to her every day as his punishment. Over the course of the month, Jem and Scout are forced to endure Mrs. Dubose’s constant tantrums during their reading sessions. After her death, Atticus tells Jem that Mrs. Dubose had been heavily addicted to morphine, and that her reading sessions were part of her successful efforts in overcoming her addiction. “’She said she meant to break herself of it...
Throughout To Kill A Mockingbird we learn about moral courage through a few characters, but Atticus and Ms. Dubose are characters who really make Jem and Scout discover that courage looks different than they expect it to. Atticus shows moral courage by defending and guarding Tom Robinson, and Ms. Dubose shows moral courage by getting off morphine. Courage comes in many forms, but moral courage is the most important form.
...occur in the story, including Bob Ewell’s attack on Jem and Scout, and when the grateful fans of Mr. Finch bring him thanks, would not have occurred had Atticus chosen to dismiss the case. Parenting is a challenge in itself. Finding the proper balance to raising children to be happy and healthy adults can be difficult. Atticus is faced with these normal problems, as well as the choice of whether or not to put his children’s lives in danger in order to defend what is just. Though accepting Tom Robinson’s case was not the easy solution, or the answer that most parents would find, by making this choice, Atticus improved his own life as well as the lives as numerous people around him. Whether to coast with the easy solution, or face the challenge is the question that parents must ponder when making important decisions.
Dubose, I can see that she was a strong and courageous woman. Although Mrs. Dubose was often prejudice about Atticus helping a nigger, she fought a battle against herself. This chapter allows the reader to understand two themes of the story, which are courage and human dignity. Even though she knew she was defeated, she fought against the morphine addiction. As stated by Atticus on page 112, “’I wanted you to see something about her—I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyways and you see it through no matter what.”’ In other words, Atticus is saying courage is not within holding a gun but rather standing up for what’s right, regardless of whether they win or lose. Furthermore, it teaches the readers that we need to fight in what we believe in.
True role models are those who possess the qualities that we would want to have in the near future and those who interest us in a way that make us want to be a better person. They teach us more about ourselves and encourage us to make better choices. A role model is not just someone who is successful, but someone who has had similar experiences that we have had. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee demonstrates that Atticus Finch is a true role model. Over the course of the novel, Atticus stands up for his beliefs, respects everyone despite who they are and behaves as a true father. Atticus is truly the ideal role model.
In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird Atticus Finch, a well-respected defense attorney in Macomb County, made a life-altering decision to whole-heartedly defend a benevolent black man, Tom Robinson, who was wrongly accused of rape. Many conflicts arose because of Atticus’s choice to defend a black man against a white man’s word. Despite the towns cowardice and ridicule, Atticus stays true to what is right. “They're certainly entitled to think that, and they're entitled to full respect for their opinions... but before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience” (140). Throughout the story Scout, Atticus’s daughter, transforms from a trouble maker always looking to pick a fight with anyone she disagreed with, into a young lady who was able to follow her father’s example and “consider things from his point of view... you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it” (30). Through Atticus’s wise, unchanging character, the theme is revealed. The bond between Atticus and Scout teaches her the one thing that he was trying to do all along: Don’t just fight; stand up and fight for what is right, no matter what the cost.
“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...
In Harper Lee's novel To Kill A Mockingbird, the protagonist Scout faces offenses by others because of her father's justice for defending an African American in court. Scout Finch lives with her brother Jem, and their father Atticus, in the sleepy town of Maycomb during the Great Depression. As Atticus, the father of the protagonist faces the moral dilemma in chapter 29-30 of the incident with Bob Ewell. Atticus moral dilemma reveals his character and beliefs. Bob Ewell attempted to hurt Atticus children in order to get revenge on Atticus for defending the African American who was accused of raping his daughter in court.