Atticus Finch Role Model Essay

Did Atticus Finch make the right choice defending Tom Robinson?

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee is about a small town in Alabama where prejudice in the system is a constant occurrence. However, later in the novel a well-respected Lawyer, Mr. Atticus Finch. He goes on to confront the court on their misconstrued point of view and oblivion, while defending Mr. Tom Robinson in his case against the towns disgrace; the Ewells, on their accusation of Tom raping 19 year old, Mayella Ewell. I believe Atticus made the right decision in taking on Tom’s case because Atticus values equality, is a benevolent father, and is a role model to the town of Maycomb.
Throughout the novel, we have seen many examples of racism from whites towards the coloured

He is a man of integrity and compassion, though some don’t agree with his choices they see the good he is trying to do. An example in the novel when Atticus is looked as a leader is in chapter 10, when there is a “mad dog” on the street, and Heck Tate looks to Atticus to make the shot. Jem and Scout both astonished, Miss Maudie explains, “If your father 's anything, he 's civilized in his heart. Marksmanship 's a gift of God, a talent--oh, you have to practice to make it perfect, but shootin 's different from playing the piano or the like. I think maybe he put his gun down when he realized that God had given him an unfair advantage over most living things. I guess he decided that he wouldn 't shoot till he had to, and he had to today, (Lee 130). This examples displays Atticus role in the town because even the sheriff wasn’t able to make the shot without hitting the Radley house. So, he looked at Atticus, who had the best shot in town, to take out the dog. This example of a “mad dog” shows Atticus in a new light, and is not as feeble. The mad dog is a symbol of madness that is going on in Maycomb, but Atticus kills him in one shot. This is similar to Tom’s case because it’s been causing so much drama and Atticus taking charge shows his willingness and determination to do something no one else would. It also shows he is willing to make tough decisions to save his family and the people from the dangerous things, in this case he is trying to save the town from the Ewells and their