Why Is Atticus Important In To Kill A Mockingbird

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To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel by Harper Lee. It is a story from the perspective of a young girl in Alabama, Scout, during the Great Depression. Her father, Atticus, is a lawyer who is defending a black man, Tom Robinson, accused of raping a white woman. Atticus’s defense of Tom is significant in representing Atticus’s character, he is a good father, and he convinces people to consider Tom’s innocence. To begin, Atticus’s defense of Tom Robinson is important because it shows Atticus’s character and morals. Atticus explains to Scout that some people don’t want him to defend Tom, and Scout asks why he is. On page 100, Lee writes, “‘For a number of reasons,’ said Atticus. ‘The main one is, if I didn’t I couldn’t hold my head up in town, I couldn’t represent this county in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again.’” This shows that Atticus will not succumb to peer pressure and will do what he thinks is right. …show more content…

This is important because it helps develop Atticus’s character by showing how he will stand up for what he believes is the right thing to do. Even though most of the people in the town think that Tom should not be defended, Atticus defends him anyway because it is, as he believes, the right thing to do. Next, Atticus’s defense of Tom shows that he is a good father. On page 119 Lee writes,“‘Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.’” Atticus tells them that it is a sin because mockingbirds don’t harm anyone, all they do is sing. Mockingbirds represent innocence, like how Tom is innocent and Atticus is teaching his kids not to hurt people or animals that do not bother them or the rest of the community. This is important because it demonstrates that Atticus is a good father, trying to teach his kids right from wrong, and not to hurt untroubling

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