He works hard to be a good father and set a good example for his kids. When it comes to parenting, Atticus Finch treats his kids like his equal. For the most part, he gives Jem and Scout independence to make their own decisions so they can learn based on their experiences. He believes in teaching his kids what they did wrong and making them fix it instead of punishing them. He is also brutally honest.
He had compassion in his heart and the thought of equality in his mind. He understood when people needed help but could not pay for it, and he knew that “it takes a long time sometimes…that you all’d ride [the harsh times] out together [SIC]” (205-206). He was troubled by the narrow- mindedness and prejudice of the townspeople. He knew, sadly, that the people in the court would automatically assume “that all Negroes lie, that all Negroes are immoral beings, that all Negro men are not to be trusted around our women” (273). Atticus felt that he needed to uphold the justice.
Being a lawyer Atticus was taught to, fight for people and to bring justice to the town and to make sure that the right person was convicted. However this proves to be a difficult case for Atticus and he is unsure whether to even take it on at first. He is fully aware that the town which he calls home is mainly populated with whites and at that time a black man’s word meant nothing compared to a white man’s word. “It couldn’t be worse, Jack. The only thing we’ve got is a black man’s word against the
Part of the human nature consists of racial judgment towards others. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, presents themes of gender bias, justice, and social class. But one of the main focuses in the book is racism. Most of the people in Maycomb County show racial judgments, opinions, and comments against African American people, as well as white people. Jem and Scout learn the power of racism and what it does to people, as they experience certain situations. Through the stories of Tom Robinson's trial, Jem and Scouts journey to Calpurnia's church, and Mrs. Dubose's commentary to Jem, the theme of racism remains.
Being the older sibling, Jem realizes the long-held values of Maycomb, but only as he matures does he understand what it means to have moral integrity. There are many times in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee in which the reader can see Jem’s maturity and his moral values. The first time Jem starts to understand moral integrity is when he is forced to read to Mrs. Dubose. After her death, Atticus explains just how much she was going through, and this information had a great impact on Jem. Jem furthers his knowledge of moral integrity during the trial. Jem believes that Atticus and Tom Robinson have won because he knows that the evidence was strong. Atticus ends up losing, which causes Jem to realize how much men will overlook evidence and the truth just to go against an African American. Lastly, Jem understands moral integrity while watching and learning from Atticus. Atticus firmly believes in ideas such as Tom Robinson’s innocence. He never gave up or fell to other men’s beliefs during the time of the trial, before it, or after it.
Atticus has only been strict to Scout and Jem in the story. Atticus is a very selfless and kind person that likes to help people. Atticus showed selflessness when he protected Tom Robinson from the mob. Atticus showed kindness when he paid for his brothers education.
By listing how “some people are smarter than others, some people have more opportunity than others” and how “some people are born gifted”(Lee 233), Atticus proves to the jury they are not equal to Tom Robinson. He doesn’t want the jurors to convict Tom based on their fear that black men will gain more power. He alludes to their fear of blacks becoming more powerful to reassure this one case isn’t going to change anything. Atticus reassures the men they are only equal because the law reads in “courts all men are created equal”(Lee 233). By establishing this with the jurors, he explains in their court system a black man is equal to a white man and a poor man is equal to a rich man.
As a father Atticus has done everything he can to maintain his children, Jem and Scout, informed of what really is like out there in the real world. Honesty seems to be Atticus rout when dealing with life. In times Atticus will lose trial but the courage he has won’t allow him to give up on innocent people, like Tom. Atticus is the definition of role model to follow. He’s a great father to his children showing the the truth will always push them forwards in life.
He is not only doing it for Tom Robinson, he is doing it for himself as well. Secondly, Atticus stands up for what is right because the moment he is asked to take Tom Robinson’s case he doesn’t think twice. He knew that someone who is innocent should not have to go to trial for something they did not do. He thinks racism should have an end. By taking this case he not only opens the eyes for his children, he opens the eyes of his peers and community members.
Because of his character, and because of his beliefs about people, Atticus would defend Tom Robinson. It make sense for Atticus to defend Tom because of his good character and his belief that all people are equal. Atticus takes the case because he knows that it is the right thing to do and because he knows
In my opinion that is truly unfair. It makes sense as to why Atticus decided to defend Tom Robinson. He continuously tries to find the good in everyone and believes that the black community contains good people. Atticus had mentioned to his brother, Jack, that Tom was innocent but “doomed”. It was impossible
Atticus was given an impossible case to win, but he dedicated a majority of his time on the case. “This case, Tom Robinson 's case, is something that goes to the essence of a man 's conscience — Scout, I couldn 't go to church and worship God if I didn 't try to help that man” (104). This quote truly portrays Atticus’s character and mindset. During this time period, not many other lawyers would feel this way about that particular case. Atticus’s implies that he would not be able to carry on with his life without helping Tom Robinson and that he wanted to help Tom walk away a free man.
Life becomes harder for the Finch family when Atticus has to defend Tom Robinson, a black man, in a racist town. Throughout the book Atticus faces many conflicts that he handles very well, making him the hero of the story. When responding to conflict, Atticus Finch shows to be a very responsible man. Atticus states “...if spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that’s something i’ll gladly take. He had to take it out on somebody and i’d rather it be me than that household of children out there.”
Children are born into the world with no set guidelines or morals until they can get a basic understanding of the world around them. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch is a man with incredible amounts of honor and morality. His two kids see a lot of the cruelty that exists in life throughout their childhood, from a racist trial to a truly bitter person. Atticus tries to instill several morals into his children so that they will lead successful lives in the future with a strong understanding of the world.
The novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee takes place in the town of Maycomb, Alabama during the Great Depression. The author Lee demonstrates some major themes such as social inequality, intolerance, education, legal justice and bravery through this character. The title To Kill a Mockingbird symbolises innocence where Lee explores this through the eyes of Jem and Scout who are kids of Atticus Finch. He is one of the most honest, patient, kind, fair, respected and admired men in Maycomb during the Great Depression. Atticus is known for his moral character throughout the book. He is a talented man, he is good at a variety of things from being the best checker player in the town to being an honest and fair lawyer, and he can even play the Jew’s harp. Atticus is seen as a great father even though the odds are against him he does not give up therefore he is admired and respected for his courage. His attitude and personality does not change. For instance Miss Maudie says, “Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets”