How Does Atticus Show Politeness In To Kill A Mockingbird

In Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus is portrayed as polite, courageous, and fair in order to show the importance of a moral education. Atticus shows how politeness is important when he is kind to Mrs. Dubose. Mrs. Dubose is an old, bitter recovering morphine addict. Scout and Jem pass by her frequently while she yells at them. Lee writes, “Atticus would sweep off his hat, wave gallantly to her and say, ‘Good evening Mrs. Dubose! You look like a picture this evening.’” (100). While she is rude to his children and him, he is still amiable and kind to her. His politeness shows that he tries to understand what she is going through, and wants his kids to learn that it is important to have empathy and always treat others with manners. It shows morals because he is empathetic and kind however he is treated. This is not the only trait that proves he values a moral education.

Earlier in the book, Atticus says that courage is knowing you’re going to fail, but doing it anyway and seeing it through. When Jem is asking Atticus if they are going to win, he explains that they aren’t. Jem asks why Atticus took the case. Lee writes, ‘Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win,’ Atticus said” (76). He takes on Tom’s trial even though he knows he will not win because the town is racist. He is representing him like a good lawyer should, instead of just letting him go. This displays the importance of morals because it leads the town to take a baby step against racism and getting them to think truly about whether Tom is innocent or guilty. Atticus also has to prove his morals during the case in a different