Atticus Reputation

“You never understand a person until you consider things from their point of view, until you climb into his skin and walk around in it,” is a quote from the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird.” This book is about a family of three, living in a household with the addition of their aunt. This includes Scout (daughter), Jem (son), Atticus (father), and Aunt Alexandrea (aunt). The kids do not call their father by that title, but by his name Atticus. The second part of the book is about a black man on trial who was accused of raping a woman. Atticus was his attorney and he tried everything he could to make sure the jury saw that he did not rape her, but sadly, it was not a success and he was sent to jail. They live in a small town in Macomb, Alabama.

To illustrate the black community’s admiration of Atticus, Reverend Sykes and the others in the balcony of the courthouse stand when Atticus passes. They show respect and gratitude towards him then and in the next days in the following ways. The fact that Atticus is defending Tom Robinson is a sizable reason why they respect him greatly. In past reading, Atticus shows that he took this case straight to the heart. Though it does not seem true, it deeply impacts Atticus to his core. An example being, “This case, Tom Robinson’s case, is something that goes to the essence of a man’s conscience...” (Lee 139). Atticus tells this to Scout because he knows that if he acts as if the case will ruin his career and reputation, she will see that she does

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.

In this time, the discrimination against black people was harsh, and people think poorly of black people. In To Kill A Mockingbird, white citizens believe that black people always commit crimes. First, Mrs. Dubose was mean to the Finch family because Atticus defends Tom Robinson. She insults Atticus in front of their children. Second, the gangs of men believe Tom Robinson is guilty because he is black.

Savior of Society Did you ever wonder why someone thought to separate blacks from whites, then wonder why someone decided to join them together again? In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, many uncomfortable situations were addressed that many people today preferably don’t like to talk about nowadays. This is why Atticus Finch encourages his children, Jem and Scout, to be aware of segregation. Within the novel, there is a rape case that discusses a black man being accused of the crime. This case afflicts many emotions and actions from multiple characters but specifically Atticus, the lawyer on the black man’s side.

Dubose's narration about Jem's father shows her criticism about the fact that Atticus decided to defend a black man. To elaborate, Mrs. Dubose sat in her her on her porch when Jem and Scout pasted by. Instead of keeping her thoughts to herself, she yelled out to Jem and Scout “ Your father’s no better than the niggers and trash he works for!” (Lee, ) In this comment, she expresses her frustration about Atticus taking a case that includes a black man.

Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel that show the life of a southern state od Alabama during the “black racism” time period, where majority of the people had the mentality that (quote) with the exception of a few. To chosen to portray it from the eyes of Scout Finch, from a child’s point of view. Living in Maycomb, in the midst of a conservative society of the 1930’s and 20’s Southern America Scout Finch is an extra ordinary child.

Atticus wants the jury to realize if Tom is given a fair trial like he the court system says he deserves, it will not give blacks more power. He wants the men to do the right thing so he indicates they will have nothing to lose and they will still be superior. By defending the court system, Atticus portrays how the men must be

Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” is set sometime in the 1930s in Maycomb County Alabama. The story is told through the point of view of Scout Finch who lives with her father, Atticus, and brother, Jem. The kids like to play pretend with their friend Dill about the man who lives in a scary house down the road, Boo Radley. The kids come in a few close counters along the way during these games in which Atticus does not approve. Scouts’ father, a lawyer, is appointed by Judge Taylor to defend Mr. Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a young girl.

Dubose. Atticus explains to them that sometimes in life one has to do things one may not enjoy in order to serve others. Atticus then connects Jem and Scout’s struggle with Mrs. Dubose to himself and the trial. Atticus says to Scout and Jem “ ‘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’ ”

Atticus said to Jem and Scout,”As you grow older, you 'll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don 't you forget it-whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash.” … “There 's nothing more sickening than a low-grade white man who’ll take advantage of a Negro 's ignorance.” (220-221) This shows that the author is disgusted by white people who are willing to try and take advantage of a colored person and this part of the novel is meant to convey that message to the reader. This was probably a big deal when this book was published considering that colored people and white people had to have everything from drinking fountains to schools segregated.

The right’s of Atticus choosings In my opinion Atticus did do the right thing in fighting for Tom Robinson. Tom Robinson was against the word of two white people with a heavy case; but Atticus did it all out of the kindness of his heart. Atticus wanted to change the way people thought about the colored people “simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win” (lee. 101). Atticus knew it would be tough because of the heatless town of Maycomb; but he knew all the facts, and was willing to give it all he had to try, and get Tom Robinson out of this mess. He believed that if he didn't defend Tom Robinson he could not hold his head up to the town and he certainly couldn't tell Jem and Scout what to do anymore.

Whenever they would walk past her house, she would shout hateful and insulting comments at them. Atticus told them to not let her comments affect them. One day, Mrs. Dubose made a comment about Atticus defending Tom Robinson. The comment was hateful and racist toward Atticus and Tom. Jem was angered by her comment and fueled by rage, cut down all of Mrs. Dubose 's camellia bushes.

She angrily states, “Your father’s no better than the niggers and trash he works for” (135). In a state of complete rage, Jem destroys Mrs. Dubose’s camellias. When Atticus hears the full story (including Mrs. Dubose’s words), he responds with, “To do something like this to a sick old lady is inexcusable. I strongly advise you to go down and have a talk with Mrs. Dubose. Come straight home afterward” (138).

“Truth is how Atticus understood who he was, both personally and as a citizen of Maycomb, so that not telling the truth would have caused him to lose his grasp on who he was, to lose control of himself, to suffer personal disintegration, and to lose his way among the people with whom he lived” (Shaffer 190). Atticus honestly answers any question Jem or Scout ask him. He wants his kids to know what is right, not what society might teach them. “His telling of the truth is also how he is able to imagine the sort of community he seeks to protect for his children and his neighbors” (Phelps 927). One of the big lessons that Atticus teaches Jem and Scout is that “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… until you climb into his skin and walk around in it” (Lee 30).