Kaitlin Natili Mrs. Schranz Academic English 9, Period 1 20 April 2023 To Kill A Mockingbird Theme Analysis A good man would prefer to be defeated than to defeat injustice by evil means( Sallust Quotes). In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch’s response to conflict demonstrates that social justice is brought about through his educated, patient, and ethical mindset. Atticus uses his ideas of moral vs social code in his teachings to his kids. For example, we've seen Scout dealing with a conflict with her teacher. She tells her father to gain his perspective on things. Atticus listens to the situation and finds a way for them to understand each other. He says “You never really understand a person until you consider things …show more content…
For example, when the rabid dog is terrorizing the town, Atticus is allowed to shoot the dog, and ‘with movements so swift they seemed simultaneous Atticus’s hand yanked a ball tipped lever as he brought the gun to his shoulder.’ (126). Atticus’s decision to shoot the dog relates to his earlier message about bluejays and mockingbirds. With this person vs self-conflict, Atticus had to decide what was the right move in this situation. He struggles with his inner morals about no violence but ends up shooting the dog to save everyone. Atticus thinks violence should not be taken into consideration unless innocent people are in danger. That's why even when he had power over a living thing he decided to save everyone in the town. Another time we see Atticus preaching nonviolence is in his altercation with Bob Ewell. The readers see Atticus get attacked in the street and all he simply says is that he is ‘too old’ (291) to fight back, and wiped his face clean of tobacco. Atticus refusing to fight even when he was charged by Bob shows his refusal to violence. Atticus didn’t need to use violence because no one innocent was in harm's way. So violence would go against his morals. Therefore, Atticus’s ideas of nonviolence help to promote social
In Harper Lee's classic novel, "To Kill a Mockingbird," Atticus Finch serves as a compelling embodiment of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream of a just and equal society. Atticus is a principled, wise, and compassionate lawyer who, in the racially charged setting of 1930s Maycomb, Alabama, stands as a beacon of moral integrity and racial tolerance. He not only supports the ideals of equality and justice but also demonstrates them in his actions and interactions with others. One of Atticus’s main ways in which he embodies Dr.King is through his commitment to treating everyone with respect and fairness, regardless of one's race.
Atticus Finch displays true moral courage when he agrees to defend Tom Robinson, an innocent black man unjustly accused of raping a white woman. He strives to instill justice, righteousness, and acceptance in his fellow citizens. In a discussion with his kids, Atticus says,“before I can live with other folks I’ve got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience” (Lee 105). He doesn’t care that the citizens of Maycomb, including his own family, look down on him now because he is defending a Negro.
Even though Atticus does not like guns and has not used a gun in about thrity years he still has the courage to shoot down a dog that was in pain and in need of help. Atticus went out of his way to protect those that lived in Maycomb county with out letting his worries get the best of
Atticus knows justice will be upheld by defending Tom. He knows that if he did not defend Tom, he would no longer maintain self-respect since he knows a man’s life is at stake. This characterization shows how Atticus follows the morally right thing, compared to the socially right thing. He displays empathy by acknowledging the fact that he will be judged, but chooses to defend Tom anyway because he would rather follow what is right than be socially accepted. Additionally, Atticus
Atticus is also a single father, so things can get rough for him considering he has two crazy children. No matter what happens in the story, Atticus is there to protect them, to teach them the right way of doing things. This directly correlates to how Atticus grew up as a child, he lived in a stable home, and was raised to be intelligent and kind, no matter what the circumstances. Atticus wants the same for his
I mean everything.” ( 195) He knew that he had to take the case and defend Tom Robinson in court because it was the right thing to do, and he had to set an example for his kids, he had to show them that even though orders may not like it, you have to stand for what’s right and what you believe in. Another example of Atticus showing courage is when he goes to the prison cell to guard Tom Robinson’s sell from the Lynch mob, since in Page 194, Officer Tate was informing Atticus that trouble was most likely to go down, he decided to go alone at night in an attempt to stop the mob from getting to Tom Robinson, who he knew was innocent, in order to teach his kids that racism is
Atticus doesn’t believe in social norms or prejudices and he isn’t afraid to stand up to Maycomb society. He is willing to fight the losing battle just because it’s the right thing to do. 2. Atticus shows courage because he goes against Maycomb society in defending Tom Robinsion. He knows that the people of Maycomb will not support him, that he will not win the trial, and that it will change his and his kids life
Atticus is a man who has been through a lot,and has seen a lot of things in his life, but he always tries to do the right thing. Atticus displays his amazing sense of personal integrity when he stays away from guns. Atticus knows that he is the best shot in Maycomb County, but doesn’t shoot because he knows that it isn’t right or fair. “...maybe [Atticus] put his gun down when he realized that God had given him an unfair advantage over most living things” (Lee 130).
In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch, a highly respected lawyer, plays a pivotal role in instilling his children with a profound understanding of morals and values. Atticus accomplishes this by engaging in heartfelt conversations with his children, providing them with insight into his motivations and actions. Throughout the book, Atticus's teachings emerge as crucial lessons, illuminating the significance of empathy, courage, and the pursuit of fairness and justice. Firstly, Atticus exemplifies the importance of empathy by displaying compassion towards the people of Maycomb, even when faced with their animosity.
He is a kind man that doesn’t believe in using violence and believes that everyone should be treated equally. That is another reason why he chose to defend Tom Robinson. Atticus thought that Tom deserved a fair trial, and even though he knew that they probably weren’t going to win the case, he wanted to try for the sake of Tom and his family. “‘If you shouldn’t be defendin’ him, then why are you doin’ it?’ ‘For a number of reasons,’ said Atticus.
One of the most recognizable forms of social justice is the character of Atticus Finch in the 1930’s setting of the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. In To KIll a Mockingbird, the author, Harper Lee’s ideas on social justice are revealed through detailed representations of wisdom, loyalty, and selflessness
Throughout the novel, you can tell why Atticus isn’t interested in guns and violence. In multiple situations, he demonstrates that he would much rather talk things out to find a solution than to solve a problem with violence.
For instance, the quote “This case, Tom Robinson’s case, is something that goes to the essence of a man’s conscience- I couldn't go to church and worship God if I didn't help this man.” (108). This shows Atticus’ morals to do what is right and honoring to God. Although defending this man means his children would get a lot of grief
The novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a wonderful novel that contains an amazing character named Atticus Finch who treats everyone equally and breaks the social norms of racial separation in the 1930s. Scott Turow once promised to grow up and “try to do things as good and noble as what Atticus had done for Tom Robinson.” I agree with this statement because in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird I think Atticus had morals that were kind and compassionate, he never gave up, and he also stuck up for what he thought was right. To begin, throughout the novel Atticus Finch acts in ways that are kind and compassionate. Jem and Scout, Atticus’s children, find Atticus outside the jailhouse in the middle of the night while a crowd that wanted to hurt Tom Robinson was standing in front of him.
He also wanted to do what was right. Clincher;Atticus Finch shows how important to stand up for others because it follows the golden rule of treating others the same way you want to be