Why Is Atticus Finch Important In To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill A Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, is a novel with several unforgettable characters. The majority of the characters that are incorporated into the book have very significant parts. There are characters such as Scout Finch, the protagonist and narrator of the story and her brother, Jem, who often keeps Scout out of trouble. These two characters contribute a great deal throughout the story, but the most important character portrayed by Harper Lee is a lawyer named Atticus Finch. Atticus is the most virtuous male character in the novel because of his indicative lessons, beliefs in justice, and his compassion for others.

Atticus teaches Jem and Scout several important lessons that will influence them later in their life. The first message

that is expressed in To Kill a Mockingbird is to understand the feelings of others by climbing around in their shoes. This influential lecture is pointed out when Scout gets into trouble with her teacher, Miss Caroline, after trying to explain that one of her classmates, Walter Cunningham, is very poor. Scout politely tries to notify her teacher that Walter is of a certain social class, meaning that he can’t pay anyone back with because he does not have enough money. This frustrated Miss Caroline because she did not understand what Scout was trying to tell her. Later in the day, Scout explains to Atticus the events that occurred earlier at school. Atticus then simply explains to Scout, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - … - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it” (Lee 39). Scout immediately realizes that Miss Caroline could not have known about every person living in the town in a single day. This example shows how Atticus’ reasoning helps Scout understand what people may be thinking or feeling at certain times. Another example of a lesson Atticus teaches is when he tells Jem and Scout they should respect others and give them privacy. A lady living in Maycomb, Miss Stephanie Crawford, often spreads rumors about Boo Radley, a neighbor to the Finches. Soon enough, the children quickly believe her and begin acting out a game based upon the Radley’s life. When Atticus finds out about their game, he warns them that their actions disrupt the privacy of Boo and his family. This moral is used several times throughout the book since it teaches the kids to respect others. These two examples of lessons from Atticus prove he is virtuous because he wants his kids to have valuable beliefs and understand when they misbehave.
A third and extremely important lesson that Atticus taught Jem and Scout is to respect others and know the meaning of real courage.

Every day when Jem and Scout walk into town, they are forced to walk past the house of an old woman named Mrs. Dubose, who viciously points out everything they are doing wrong. One day as the children are walking into town, Mrs. Dubose makes an awful comment about Atticus defending Tom Robinson because he is black. This immediately angers Scout and especially Jem, but they quickly walk away. As they walk back, Jem instantly notices that Mrs. Dubose isn’t on her porch. He runs and in a fury, cuts the tops off of all of her camellia bushes. Finally, when Atticus arrives home, he orders answers from Jem. As he starts to explain to his dad the reason for his actions, Atticus responds by telling him to walk over and apologize to Mrs. Dubose. By Atticus telling Jem to apologize, he shows respect to Mrs. Dubose, even if he disagrees with her discourse with

Jem.
Another lesson produced by Atticus that makes him virtuous is revealed when Mrs. Dubose asks Jem to read to her. When Jem argues and decides that he doesn’t want to go, Atticus forces him and excuses Mrs. Dubose because she is old and ill. A couple of weeks later when Jem’s reading sessions are over, Atticus reveals to the children that Mrs. Dubose had died. He then continues explaining that she was a morphine addict and Jem was reading to her to distract her from her fits. Atticus knew all of Mrs. Dubose’s struggles the entire time she was sick and since he cares for others, he confirmed that she completed her goals before she passed away. As soon as Jem opens the gift of a camellia flower from Mrs. Dubose, he screams and throws it into the fire. Atticus continues to attempt to make Jem sympathize by saying, “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 anyway and you see it through no matter what” (Lee 149). In this important lesson, Jem and Scout finally realize what the real definition of courage is, and they have a newfound respect for Mrs. Dubose because she strived to accomplish her goal of breaking her addiction. Based upon the examples given in the interactions between Mrs. Dubose and the children, Atticus is shown to be highly respectable because of the lessons he teaches his children to use later in their lives.
One final and very significant reason Atticus Finch is the most virtuous male character in the novel is because he does not discriminate against black people in his community. The most obvious example that shows his unbiased character is when he puts all of his effort towards proving Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman, not guilty. Although the judge appointed Atticus to take the case, he states to Scout that this case affects him personally and he will try his best to prove Tom innocent, even though he knows it’s almost impossible to win. Atticus shows his true sympathy towards Tom right before the jury makes their decision when he states, “To begin with, this case should never have come to trial. This case is as simple as black and white” (Lee 271). His statement shows that he is trying his best to prove to the jury that Tom is not guilty; which shows he is a very virtuous character. Later on after the case had concluded, Atticus hears that Tom was killed while trying to escape from prison. Atticus immediately goes home to fetch Calpurnia, the Finch’s housemaid, so they can tell Tom’s wife, Helen Robinson of the terrible news. This act of kindness demonstrated by going into the black community and taking time to alert Helen of her husband’s death, proves that Atticus truly has a caring side for all types of people. The last example that justifies that Jem and Scout’s father is not a racist person is when he points out to Scout to rid of her racist words. This comment produces proof that Atticus does not want his children to grow up, act, and talk like some of the prejudice people he knows. Atticus’ actions display that he is affectionate and kindhearted to all people in several situations show he is the most righteous character portrayed in the novel.
Overall, there are several examples of the compassion and strong integrity that Atticus demonstrates that makes him the most honorable male character throughout Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird.

Through the lessons that he teaches his children, the reader can take away many unique approaches to view the world around them; such as true courage, having empathy for others, and allowing people to have privacy. He shows that justice should be served to everyone, no matter their skin color, when he strives to win the Tom Robinson case. Atticus may not have impacted every character in the novel, but the ones that were affected live the rest of their lives with a reversed point of

view.