Atticus's Conscience In To Kill A Mockingbird

True courage is when a person does what he or she believes is right even when he knows he will fail. Atticus Finch sets aside his pride and reputation to be humiliated for defending Tom Robinson a black man, this is one of the truest acts of courage. Scout was questioning Atticus about why people say such offensive things to him. “ They’re certainly entitled to think that, and they’re entitled to full respect for their opinions. - I’ve got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.” said Atticus to Scout(pg139). Atticus is showing that he respects others opinions, although they might try to hurt him. But he believes in his conscience. After Mrs.Dubose dies, and Atticus explains to Jem about

Atticus stood by him and his belief of Tom’s innocence till the end. The day Heck Tate came to to tell Atticus the news of Tom being kept in jail till the trial, was the day Atticus could have been beaten by a angry lynching mob for his client. Nevertheless, that night Jem, Scout and Dill followed Atticus to check up on him. “We saw Atticus look up from his newspaper. He closed it, folded it deliberately, dropped it in his lap, and pushed his hat to the back of his head. He seemed to be expecting them.”(pg201) Mr.Finch was at the steps of the country jail for the mob to come lynch Tom. But since he knew they where coming he made his way to the jail and stood guard for Tom. How did Atticus expect to defend Tom? He had no weapon, no ally. Atticus stood there with his newspaper with only his words. Oneday Scout was questioning Atticus on why there is so much unpleasant talk about him lately, and then ask if Atticus was going to win the case. He said no and said, “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win.”(pg101) This is Atticus admitting he will lose this case, he’s openly telling that he will lose because of the Country’s history. But to him that doesn't mean he shouldn't try to defend who he believes is innocent. Atticus is a profoundly great lawyer. In both these quotes he shows that including that he is a great lawyer to Mr.Tom Robinson. When