Who Is Atticus Finch In To Kill A Mockingbird

Words: 824
Pages: 4
Open Document
Atticus Finch, a character who plays a major role in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, is a well-respected man in Maycomb County. Atticus conducts himself in a fashion throughout the novel with the utmost respect towards others, as well as a large confidence that leads him to make the right decisions that society says otherwise. When being openly criticized, Atticus absorbs the sometimes harsh words and generates something positive; better for the whole. Atticus Finch has the obvious reputation for being a Finch in Maycomb, a higher social status family, but this means little to nothing to Atticus. Unlike Alexandria Finch, Atticus’s sister, he has made the choice in life to have a level playing field with the rest of society. Atticus has the disposition to treat …show more content…
At one of the novel’s critical points, Jean-Louise Finch, Atticus’s daughter, asks “Do all defend n-Negroes Atticus?” and Atticus replies “Of course they do, Scout” (Lee 100). No matter the man, Atticus will defend out of shear respect and kindness. Atticus later states “I’m simply defending a Negro- His name’s Tom Robinson... they’re clean-living folks” (Lee 100) Atticus suggests and tries to make Jean-Louise understand that no matter what society has against the black race that it is unjust to not defend a man in need simply because of the color of his skin. Mr. Robinson is an honest, hardworking man who provides for his family; Atticus breaks the misconception that blacks are some disease ridden bunch of animals that the rest of society makes them out to be. Even though Atticus is openly defending a Negro, he gains respect from the town because no man has the brazen courage to defend a Negro at such a racially divided point in America’s history. This is one of the many reasons why Atticus is so openly criticized, but gains respect at the same
Show More

Related Documents: Who Is Atticus Finch In To Kill A Mockingbird

Adversity In To Kill A Mockingbird

going the distance can still have a great effect. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Mr. Atticus Finch is at odds with own town and the society within it. Faced with an insurmountable task, Atticus is left with two choices, step down and become what he resents, or take on an emotionally testing battle that will affect him for the rest of his life. Although not the narrator or the main character of the novel, Atticus Finch stands as the single most important character in Harper Lee’s…

Words 1091 - Pages 5

What Does Arthur Radley Symbolize In To Kill A Mockingbird

The Mockingbirds To Kill a Mockingbird is based in the 1930’s, and during the Great Depression era. The plot of this novel takes place in Maycomb Alabama, where it is a sin to kill a mockingbird. Mockingbirds are innocent little creatures, that do nothing but sing songs for others to enjoy. However, in this novel, mockingbirds always seem to get hurt. More specifically, the character representations of a mockingbird. In her novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses Arthur “Boo” Radley, Tom Robinson…

Words 842 - Pages 4

Essay about To Kill A Mockingbird and Movie

"To Kill a Mockingbird" In the book "To Kill a Mockingbird", directed by Robert Mulligan, focuses on a lawyer named Atticus Finch, who is a very honest and greatly respected man. This man named Tom Robinson was a black man accused of rape. Atticus Finch puts his lawyer career on the line when he says he is going to defend Tom Robinson. This movie is told through the eyes of Atticus' six-year-old daughter, Scout. Scout and her older brother, Jem become best friends and grow their brotherly and…

Words 548 - Pages 3

To Kill A Mockingbird Injustice Essay

hold the standard of justice. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, the author Harper Lee revealed a series of injustice events in 1900s’ society from Scout’s perspective. This story reflects the sin and darkness of humanity. One of the main character of the book, Scout’s father, Atticus once told her “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view” (Chapter 3). However, not everyone in Maycomb practices like what Atticus says. Three significant parts in the book—the…

Words 541 - Pages 3

Brianna Reed TKAM Essay

Brianna Reed Big 10/ UCLA 5/29/15 Mockingbird Analysis To Kill a Mockingbird, a novel by Harper Lee, is a story about Scout and Jem Finch playing with their friend Dill and spying on the mysterious Boo Radley. Atticus Finch is a respected lawyer and defends a black man, Tom Robinson, who was accused of rape. The trial shows the evils of prejudice and racism. In this novel Atticus, Tom Robinson and Boo Radley are metaphorically portrayed as mockingbirds because they didn’t do anything wrong and were…

Words 602 - Pages 3

Effects Of Prejudice In To Kill A Mockingbird

it is today. People who experience prejudice are similar to a mockingbird because they are harmless yet they have a target on their back for no reason. Like shooting a mockingbird is a sin, so is judging other people. This theme is commonly referred to in To Kill a Mockingbird. Harper Lee’s characters of Atticus Finch, Tom Robinson, and Boo Radley in To Kill a Mockingbird are compared to mockingbirds to display the negative effects prejudice can have on a community. Atticus Finch is one character easily…

Words 1013 - Pages 5

Atticus Social Justice

When will we finally achieve it? In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses the character of Atticus to reveal the ideas of social justice. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses the peaceful character of Atticus to portray social justice. When Bob Ewell approaches Atticus after the trial, “…Atticus was leaving the post office when Mr. Ewell approached him, cursed him, spat on him, and threatened to kill him…Atticus didn’t bat an eye,…

Words 1108 - Pages 5

Essay on Mockingbird: To Kill a Mockingbird and Maycomb Courtroom Blacks

SYMBOLISM---Protagonist role in pursuing justice Allegorical Elements in Title Commentary of the American Judicial System The story told in To Kill a Mockingbird can be regarded as a commentary of the American judicial system. It can be argued that there are stark differences and similarities between justice of old and justice of the new millennium. However, in To Kill a Mockingbird’s year 1930 backdrop justice varies greatly from justice today. Back then, justice had a lot to do with a person’s sex, social…

Words 755 - Pages 4

Examples Of Ethos In To Kill A Mockingbird

present numerous times throughout Harper Lee’s novel “To Kill A Mockingbird”. These rhetorical strategies create a connection between the reader and the novel, which subsequently allows Lee to persuade the reader. Throughout the novel, Lee attempts to teach the reader about equality, and the rhetorical strategies Lee uses aid in the authentication of her ideas. Harper Lee’s use of ethos, pathos, and logos throughout the novel “To Kill A Mockingbird” assist in the creation of a persuasive connection…

Words 594 - Pages 3

To Kill A Mockingbird, By Harper Lee

1. To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, ©1960, 281 pages. 2. To Kill a Mockingbird is a fictitious story of two kids growing up in Maycomb, Alabama in the late 1920’s. the kids, Scout and Jem, are growing up and trying to fit in when their father, Atticus, is assigned to defend a black man against a rape charge. This changes how the kids at school and even their own neighbors and family treat them. The siblings learn how to cope with the way they are treated. Jem and Scout are beginning…

Words 745 - Pages 3