Examples Of Atticus Finch's Behavior In To Kill A Mockingbird

“The White Savior Complex:” a white individual will engage in an activity to benefit those of color for personal satisfaction. To Kill A Mockingbird, stimulated a great controversy regarding the character of Atticus Finch and the white savior mentality. Harper Lee, wrote Finch as a character who defends Tom Robinson in a criminal trial. Robinson, being of color was not expected to have an opportunity in court. Atticus Finch was allotted by Judge John Taylor to be Robinsons lawyer. Taylor knew that Finch would work diligently toward Robinson's case, when compared to other attorneys. Although, what's to say that if Finch was not allocated this position, he would have pursued it. Atticus Finch may be perceived as a white savior to some, though that does not mean he saw those of color as equals.

Finch tells Scout, “The main one is, if i didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in this town, I couldn’t represent this county in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again.”(pg.100) In order for Atticus to sustain meaning to his words, he properly defended Robinson. To further extrapolate, when Atticus was asked by Scout if he defended Niggers, he responded by saying, “Don’t say nigger, scout. That’s common.”(pg. 99) Yet, Scout said that, “When Calpurnia stayed overnight with us she slept on a folding cot in the kitchen.”(pg.157) Is this behavior not common; Calpurnia is not allowed to sleep on the couch in the house, instead she is set apart from the main rooms of the home. Atticus’ conduct contribute to the fact that words mean nothing if one’s actions contradict