Atticus Finch's Thoughtfulness Analysis

Sword and Pen: Confident Thoughtfulness in To Kill a Mockingbird

The pragmatic and aggressive natures of Jem and Jean-Louise Finch respectively delineate the two sides of Atticus Finch. Characters in To Kill a Mockingbird hold either strength or wisdom, often times, the two are dichotomous, the character’s growth in one area is arrested by a preponderance in another. Strength and power lead to the atrophy of moral thoughtfulness for a lack of necessity. In the same vein, thoughtfulness is too often the product of a meek nature, the necessity of deep consideration for one’s survival. The strong do what they will and the weak endure what they must. Scout and Jem’s remarkability stems from their excellence in confidence and wisdom, their father’s

Exemplified in Finch V. the townsmen, an interaction outside of the jail door, “You know what we want,” “Get aside from the door, Mr. Finch” say the men, “‘ You can turn around and go home then, Walter’ Atticus said pleasantly.” (202). Atticus acts as an extra-judicial arbiter of just protection, physically weaker than a mob of country-folk, the stand that Atticus takes is a statement two-fold: the life of Tom Robinson matters totally, and he will be injured to protect Tom. Important here is the argument that Atticus knew there would be no violence, but that claim is rebutted when Atticus tells his Jem and Jean-Louise to leave. “Go home Jem” “Take Scout and Dill home” “Go home I said” (203). Atticus does not ask them to go to bed or go and turn on the porch lights, Atticus tells them to leave as a precaution to their safety. He wants for them to be spared the experience he will have, a beating being on the table. Mr. Finch lives honorably, with strength too, Atticus has the moral conviction to lead as a lion would, and profound strength which hints at the confidence he

His children are the two sides of his coin, they are strong and they are passionate, with these two traits, Atticus moves the entire town of Maycomb forward. Morality alone achieves nothing, strength the same, but when introduced to a small, backwards town in one body they damage racist ideals beyond repair. Atticus Finch, the leader that the people of Maycomb need to facilitate change, a father to Jem and Jean Louise, and a pragmatically strong person directs the moderates of Maycomb in the direction of integration, love, and