...The Essence of Man Being a man comes with many responsibilities. Being a man that people can follow, is something that is being overlooked nowadays. Atticus is a man with many responsibilities, people can follow him and learn how to be beneficial to society from him. Atticus’ importance in To Kill a Mockingbird is by far imperative of all the characters in To Kill a Mockingbird because of the lessons people can learn just from Atticus’ actions in the book. Atticus represents various traits throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, but there is three that stood out the most. The traits that I felt made Atticus a likeable character is consideration, gratefulness, and intelligence. Atticus Finch’s traits of consideration, gratefulness, and intelligence, show how much he impacted To Kill a Mockingbird and other characters in it. The first trait I felt that Atticus expressed throughout To Kill a Mockingbird was consideration. Being considerate is an essential trait...
Words: 748 - Pages: 3
...Atticus Finch Imagine being hated, but loved at the same time by a whole town. In the book “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee each character has their own unique personality. No two characters are alike, which makes the store that much more interesting. Although the character named Atticus Finch sticks out among the characters the most to me. He is respected immensely throughout the small town of Maycomb. Atticus is a very courageous, wise, and loyal man. All of which he shows throughout the course of the story. Most people would agree that Atticus Finch is a very courageous man. This is proven many times throughout the course of this story. One time that Atticus showed his courageous side, was when he did not back down from the Tom Robinson...
Words: 531 - Pages: 3
...Birds of Innocence Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is an exceptional story of cowardice and courage, of prejudice and acceptance. Most obviously, it is a story of maturity and innocence. In the novel, Atticus Finch, Tom Robinson, and Boo Radley are all metaphorically portrayed as mockingbirds because of their observable innocence with others in their community and their evident kindness. While each character has noticeably different storylines and symbolic references to the mockingbird, all three have their inculpability in common. Atticus Finch is depicted as a mockingbird, not only because of his incorruption, but also because of his fatherly instincts and his unmistakable courage. In chapter twenty-nine and thirty we see Atticus’s righteousness in full light. As they sauntered home from the school pageant, Jem and Scout were attacked. Atticus, knowing that Bob Ewell has threatened him and what he loves, does not outright blame Bob for his children’s wounds and injuries. Mockingbirds are extremely territorial and protective of their young. In chapter ten we see Atticus’s shooting skills as he protects his children from a rabid dog. Another trait shown by mockingbirds is their courage when defending their...
Words: 653 - Pages: 3
...unjustified punishment and prejudice. In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill A Mockingbird, the mockingbird is repetitively used as a symbol of innocence. Scout and Jem Finch, the young protagonists of the novel are told that "It's a sin to kill a mockingbird” (119) because mockingbirds are peaceful creatures who cause no harm. Some characters in the story can be perceived as “mockingbirds” due to their acts of kindness and nonviolence. The three characters who symbolize the mockingbird are Atticus Finch, Boo Radley, and Tom Robinson because they are all innocent men who are discriminated against and punished for doing what is right. Tom Robinson was an innocent man who faced prejudice because he was African American. Tom displayed many respectable traits. He provided free help to his white neighbor, despite the fact he had only one arm. When asked why he did these selfless acts, Tom responded: " I felt right sorry for her, she seemed to try more'n the rest of 'em-" (264). Later, Tom was accused of raping and beating up young Mayella Ewell, the eldest child in the infamous Ewell family, and the same girl he had assisted. Mayella’s father, Bob Ewell,was a racist man, who knew that he could get away with wrongfully accusing Tom simply because Tom was black. When brought to court, evidence proved Tom not-guilty, yet he...
Words: 1111 - Pages: 5
...To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee speaks tales of courage in society, and what it takes to uphold it.The story embarks with Scout Finch, a young daughter of a lawyer who becomes enveloped in a world of racism, prejudice, and injustice.Through the eyes of Scout, she looks up to her father, a figure of respect among many in Maycomb county, in times where his morals are pushed to the limits. .In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee stems Courage from the struggles of a community, where moral values allow many characters to stand up for themselves and others. Many characters such as Jem, a young boy who learns of world around him through his experiences and Ms. Dubose, a hot-tempered old lady with the hidden secret of fighting her addiction gives meaning to the symbol of about their flowers, Camelias. A character that encompasses these traits is Atticus, a lawyer who was tasked to defend a African man during a time of racism. Atticus became a prominent character who shows his colors during his Town's needs, such as the attack of the Rabid dog. Scout, the main protagonist who learns from these characters, their decisions and values which demonstrate what it means to be courageous. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee distinguishes many characters for their acts of courage, putting them in situations that push their morals and beliefs.After returning from Ms.Dubose's house, Scout questions her father about Ms.Dubose intentions concerning Atticus defending Tom Robinson...
Words: 1046 - Pages: 5
...finds that twenty percent of people qualify as heroes (Zimbardo, np). Therefore it is no surprise that the protagonists of Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 and Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird are heroes. Of course Montag and Atticus Finch are two very contrasting people, but they both demonstrate strength in times of judgment, an important trait contributing to their heroism. By evaluating both characters from their novels, the reader can conclude that a hero must often possess strength in judgment. Within Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird lies various examples of strength and judgment for the purpose of teaching the importance of strength in the face judgment. Take the instance of Scout removing herself...
Words: 928 - Pages: 4
...The award winning book, To Kill A Mockingbird written by Harper Lee in 1960 won many awards such as the Pulitzer Prize. The mockingbird plays a large role in the book, it symbolises peace and hope, some of the characters that are mockingbirds are Tom Robinson, a Negro accused of a raping, Atticus Finch a lawyer and the seclusive Boo Radley. The way Lee portrays Tom as a mockingbird is a work of art, she portrays him as soft, gentle person that has harmed no one. Like Tom, Boo is shown to be mockingbird as well as he stays to himself he harms no one but others harm him. However, Atticus is different because he defends people of all types of background and race no matter what. Lee portrays Boo Radley as a mockingbird because he doesn’t do anything to anyone. Nevertheless, the towns disease gets to everyone and become prejudiced towards Boo, saying things that weren’t true. The townsfolk then wondered why he never came out of his house, the reason was because he was scared, he didn’t want the limelight, he...
Words: 869 - Pages: 4
...Essay Theme: To kill a mockingbird Student: Slugina Irina “To kill a mockingbird” is a magnificent and powerful novel written by Harper Lee, a well-known American writer. It gives a deep insight into human society. The author highlights the theme of moral nature of the human beings – whether they are good and merciful or cruel and evil. It also deals with the problems of racial prejudices, inequality and racial discrimination. In a small Southern town in the 1930’s, it took exceptional courage for a white person to take a stand against racism. In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, the main character - a smart experienced lawyer Atticus Finch becomes a fighter for justice and truth. He possesses such traits as being principled, determined, honest and courageous. Atticus goes beyond the racist limitations of his society. By doing so he risks becoming an outcast for the courageous stand he takes. By agreeing to defend a black man falsely accused of having raped a white woman, Atticus demonstrates he is the most courageous person in Maycomb. He not only risks being alienated from the town, he also tries his best to defend his client, Tom Robinson, though he knows his struggle for justice is ultimately doomed, regardless the strength of his character and his good intentions, Atticus is too small to win this fight for justice. As the saying goes: “One man - no man”. The story is told from memories of Atticus’s Finch daughter Scout. She and he older brother Jem become...
Words: 811 - Pages: 4
...In the book To Kill a Mockingbird, justice is demonstrated throughout Atticus’ actions. His strive for equality can be represented by the scales of justice. Atticus believes that everyone should be treated fairly regardless of race, socio-economic or familial background. Having such an honorable and just character, propels Atticus to defend the wronged individual, Tom Robinson. Atticus believes that Tom Robinson is innocent of the crime accused against him and he believes Robinson should not receive the death penalty. Atticus knows Tom might lose this case due to the racial attitudes and prejudices prevalent in the community. When an African-American is accused of a crime, the person is undoubtedly presumed guilty. Atticus still persists in...
Words: 1570 - Pages: 7
...In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, many of her characters demonstrate courage. The acts of courage are small to large, and come from many different people. But there are three main characters who are proven to have stood out within their acts of courage. These three are Atticus Finch, Adolphus Raymond, and Boo Radley. Courage is the act of doing something that frightens one. Everyone of these characters displayed an act of courage that stands out above all else. Atticus Finch is a white man who defended Tom Robinson, an african american man, in a trial. This trial took place in the 1930’s while racism was still in large effects in many parts of the United States, and this trial took place in one of those areas. “The one thing that...
Words: 569 - Pages: 3
...step to being a gentleman is of course showing respect. Or is it courage? Or education? Although Jem Finch may think that most of the men that live in Maycomb are gentlemen, Atticus Finch says otherwise. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Jem characterizes himself along with his father as being true gentlemen. What makes up a gentleman? One might ask this question when trying to find out what the true definition of the word is. If one were to look up gentlemen in the dictionary the definition would be: a man from a good family; a well-bread male, but if Atticus Finch were to define the word the definition would be completely different. Atticus believes that to be a true gentleman...
Words: 890 - Pages: 4
...taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” -Nelson Mandela. Fighting racism is difficult because people think that change is wrong and that everything should stay how it has been. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Scout is the protagonist and her dad is Atticus Finch. He is a lawyer in the small town of Maycomb, located in the south around the 1930’s. He is an influential character in the book because he shows integrity and Atticus makes his own decisions throughout the book. His family, the Finches, are at the top of the social pyramid of Maycomb. When he takes on a case in which an african american man is accused of raping...
Words: 871 - Pages: 4
...Out of all of the attributes any one person could have, courage should be considered to be the most important of them all. The reason courage is so important is because it drives a person to do things that not every average person would do. It is what usually separates the main character from the rest of the characters in a story and makes him seem like a hero. No real person is a hero they just have hero like attributes that make them seem that way. Courage is one of those, because again it drives people to do things they normally wouldn’t. Courage is having no fear, and courage is having the desire to do something despite the obstacles that may come before. Most of all, courage is the most important attribute because it gives a character...
Words: 1532 - Pages: 7
...Atticus Finch People are ill-minded and sometimes just plain unlikable. Atticus, from Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird, is not one of those people. He is one of the characters who plays a huge role in the coming of age of his daughter, Scout Finch. A lot of people in Maycomb, which is the city he lives in, are very prejudice against black people. Atticus, unlike them, is very respectful, an admirable role model, and tolerant towards the opinions of others. Atticus throughout the book, shows great respect for others views. In the case of when Atticus is walking home and Miss. Dubose is on the porch. Even though she doesn't respect him, he still says "Good evening , Mrs. Dubose! You look like a picture this evening."(Lee 133). This shows even though he know she doesn't like him much for defending Tom, he still says hello like a gentlemen. Another instance is whenever his kids mess up. He always shows them great respect and instead of...
Words: 565 - Pages: 3
...accomplish great things in life. You have to take chances to get where you want to be. Courage takes great strength and motivation. The theme courage was present throughout all the characters in To Kill A Mockingbird. Many characters displayed courage at one point in the story. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Scout learns about courage from Mrs. Dubose, Atticus and Boo Radley. Mrs. Dubose shows a great deal of courage in this story. She may have been a mean old lady to the children, but she had far more going on in her life than the kids were aware of. She said some mean and nasty things to the children. “And you what are you doing in those overalls? You should be in a dress and camisole, young lady! You’ll grown up waiting on tables if somebody doesn’t change your waysa Finch waiting on tables at the O.K. Caféhah!” (Lee 101). She directed this towards scout and towards Scout and Jem’s mother. She was addicted to morphine and was trying to stop her addiction before she died and it caused her to say some rude things. When Jem messed with her yard, she made him read to her every day after school and on Sundays for two...
Words: 1232 - Pages: 5
