The Importance Of Atticus 'In To Kill A Mockingbird'

For instance, when Jem, Scout and Dill were trying to see if they could get Boo out of his house but instead were almost shot at by his brother, Nathan, Jem's pants got torn and left behind he comes back to find them " sewed up" like something "he'd try to do." Just waiting for him to come and pick them up. Another time Boo was generous was when Miss Maudie's house caught on fire and Scout was waiting out the cold and didn’t even realize that she had the blanket until her dad pointed it out. Atticus says, "'We'd better keep this and the blanket to ourselves. Someday, maybe, Scout can thank him for covering her up.'

They try to escape but Jem’s arm gets broken and he is unconscious for the rest of the novel. Luckily, they are rescued by Boo Radley and are taken home where Jem gets treated. Bob Ewell figured that attacking Atticus’s children was the next best thing to hurting him, since he was too much of a coward to do it directly. He had a grudge against Atticus for doing a good job of defending a black man, which was unthinkable given the status of black people during that time period. Through this, Scout learns firsthand about hatred.

They would face people who disapprove of Atticus defending a Negro, and have to face the insults directed at him. By the same token, Scout sacrificed her image at school because of the love she has for Atticus. “Somehow, if I fought Cecil I would let Atticus down. Atticus so rarely asked Jem and me to do something for him, I could take being called a coward for him” (Lee 102). There’s no doubt that Scout takes a fight

Over the years, generations experienced racism and went through many transgressions, but unfortunately it still occurs in society today. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses the character, Atticus, to address how the people of Maycomb should not discriminate people by their race and definitely should not bring it into the courtroom. He also tries to be a positive role model towards his children, Scout and Jem, so they can know how to treat people when they reach the reality of the world. In Dr. King’s speech, he also addresses how everyone should have equal rights and how African Americans should not have to suffer through the iniquities people enforce. Both of these speeches share similarities and differences but ultimately want the same goal: Equality for all.

By choosing to defend Tom Robinson, Atticus is choosing to teach his children morals and the value of standing up for what they believe in, rather than letting them fall victim to the racist hivemind of Maycomb. When Scout asks why Atticus is defending Tom Robinson, he replies “I could never ask you to mind me again” (Lee 100). By saying this, he is telling her that he could never in good conscience have the children listen to or respect him again if he did not

Most of the time it depends on the situation. Now, talking about how a parent that can have a powerful influence on kids is Atticus. That day Scout had came home and questioned if Atticus helped out African American people, and then Scout told him about how some of the kids made fun her Atticus and called him names. Atticus replied to Scout and said “from now on it’ll be everybody less one” (Lee99). As Atticus told Scout to now listen to what others are saying and to be nice and be equal to everyone, Atticus did not want Jem and scout to be like all the other kids.

This reveals that Atticus was afraid of the group of men that were going to hang Tom Robinson. After the halloween pageant, Scout and Jem were walking back home when they got attacked by Bob Ewell. “From somewhere near by came scuffling, kicking sounds, sounds of shoes and flesh scraping dirt and roots.” (Lee 351). This scene demonstrates that Bob Ewell attacks Jem and Scout, trying to get revenge. When taking this case Atticus wasn’t aware of the consequences it will bring to him and his family.

The point-of-view also helps to convey the theme. While writing, Jackson put in sections where Laurie’s parents reacted to Charles and his actions. The short paragraph, “On Saturday I remarked to my husband, “Do you think kindergarten is too unsettling for Laurie? All this toughness, and bad grammar, and this Charles boy sounds like such a bad influence”, shows how Laurie’s actions are affecting the point-of-view of the story (74). This is because, with Laurie's intentions of not wanting to get in trouble, his mother believes in the untruthful stories about Charles.

Even though there are several pieces of evidence that show Tom is innocent Atticus knows he will not win, but that is no reason for him not to try. It makes sense for Atticus to defend Tom Robinson because he believes in the Golden Rule and he has integrity. The first reason why Atticus should defend Tom Robinson is because he believes in the Golden Rule. He believes that you should treat others the way you would want to be treated no matter what. For example, on page 39, while talking to Scout, Atticus says, “...you never really understand a person until you consider things from their point of view...until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.”, (Lee, 39).

When chosen to defend Tom Robinson, a black man accused of rape, he must`decide to truly defend Robinson or not. Atticus’ choice to protect him shows immense integrity and dignity although it earns him cruel criticism from his neighbors and family. When Scout asks Atticus why he took the case, he replies that he would never be able to ask Jem and Scout to mind him again if he didn’t take the case. Atticus would have lost his dignity and respect for himself if he hadn’t attempted to save Tom Robinson from an unjust fate. One can only strive to attain such integrity and dignity as the character of Atticus