...In To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus Finch displays many characteristics that impact his children and community. Of the many characteristics, his integrity, respect, and reliability are just a few of his strongest qualities. He displayed each of these daily, and his actions had a strong effect on others. He showed his integrity by defending Tom Robinson. In a southern community during the 1930s, it was unheard of for a white lawyer to defend a black man, but Atticus ignored the prejudice and did what was morally right. He did not see his actions as a big deal, for he was only doing what was right and said, “I’m simply defending a negro—his name’s Tom Robinson… if I didn't [defend him] I couldn't hold up my head in town. I couldn't represent this...
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...Is Atticus Finch a hero in the novel “To kill a Mockingbird? Atticus Finch is a heroic character in the novel ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’. Atticus is known for many qualities that make him heroic, qualities that he displays throughout the novel. His qualities and his actions is what makes him a hero. Atticus Finch is a hero because he proves his intelligence and abilities, he defends a Negro in court and cared for everyone equally. The time the book is set in the 1930’s, a time when black African-Americans were considered a lower status then white Americans. In the book Atticus defends a Negro in court, saying to his children “I’m simply defending a Negro, his name’s Tom Robinson,” (Pg75). Atticus shows bravery to defend Tom Robinson, and they...
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...Atticus Finch, lawyer, marksman, and single father.People may consider Atticus a bad father due to his “loose restraints” on his children, but that doesn't make him bad.Atticus has taught his children to look at others equal, and to act good. Atticus is a great character, he is very important character in Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird.Atticus may make mistakes, but he's human. Atticus’ flaws do not even compare to his great achievements. Atticus tries his best as a father, treats others with respect despite their actions towards him, and does a great job at raising two “wild” children. At my current standing in the book, I have a pretty good understanding on Atticus. He is a single father raising two adventurous children. Atticus isn't “sharp” at first look, that changes. Jem and Scout didn't really “understand” their father, they saw his flaws more than his achievements. When Tim Johnson was being a hazard towards the...
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...awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom of the United States for her contribution to literature in 2007.Lee has also been the recipient of numerous honorary degrees, but has always declined to make a speech. Other significant contributions of Lee include assisting her close friend, Truman Capote, in his research for the book In Cold Blood. II.INFORMATION ABOUT THE NOVEL Classification- To Kill a Mockingbird is embodied by Atticus Finch, who is virtually unique in the novel in that he has experienced and understood evil without losing his faith in the human capacity for goodness. Atticus understands that, rather than being simply creatures of good or creatures of evil, most people have both good and bad qualities. The important thing is to appreciate the good qualities and understand the bad qualities by treating others with sympathy and trying to see life from their perspective. He tries to teach this ultimate moral lesson to Jem and Scout to show them that it is possible to live with conscience without losing hope or becoming cynical. In this way, Atticus is able to admire Mrs. Dubose’s courage even while deploring her racism. Scout’s progress as a character in the novel is defined by her gradual development toward understanding Atticus’s lessons, culminating when, in the final chapters, Scout at last sees Boo Radley as a human being. Her newfound ability to view the world from his perspective ensures that she will not become jaded as she loses her...
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...To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee , is one of the many timeless classic literatures that we have come to preserve throughout the years. When considering what truly makes this story and dialogue a classic, one has to only recall the characters in which played the main roles of this narrative. Atticus Finch, one of the many characters in this story, stood throughout the entire novel with multiple divine attributes. Many times he exhibited the following aspects of a caring, wise, and protective father figure and man. An exhibition of this father’s caring characteristic was clearly manifested when Atticus’s only daughter, Scout, came home ,somewhat dismayed, yet seeking no comfort or help. However, Atticus being the caring father he was, noticed instantly that Scout had an experience that left her somewhere “in the dump”. Instead of carrying on with the many duties that he held as a...
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...”To Kill A Mockingbird”, Atticus Finch is a prominent well respected lawyer and family man. Atticus Finch has several traits that make him an admirable character to not only the entire town of Maycomb, but also his family, and myself. He could be described as a loving parent, having strong morals, honest, and compassionate. You see Atticus’ commitment to justice and the truth when his friend, Mr. Link Deas, tries to convince him of why he should not be taking a black man, Tom Robinson’s case. Link tells Atticus “You’ve got everything to lose from this Atticus…”. Atticus replied by saying, “Link, that boy might go to the chair, but he’s not going till the truth’s told.” “And you know what the truth is.” Mr. Finch had really strong morals and beliefs that he would not bend. You could even see it in his parenting sometimes. When Atticus’s daughter Scout was...
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...One theme that stood out in Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird was the theme of courage. "I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what (Lee 93).” Courage is a quality that permits one to face danger with confidence and control. Many of the characters in To Kill a Mockingbird show courage in their own way. Courage can come in many different forms, it can come both in a physical and mental form. Through the eyes of Scout Finch, a bright and intelligent little girl, the theme of courage is explored in a great sense. Courage plays a big part in To Kill a Mockingbird, and evidently, Atticus Finch displays this theme by encountering threatening incidents and protecting his family and the people he cares about. Atticus illustrates courage many times throughout the book and taught numerous lessons on it. He shows true bravery when he went against Maycomb to defend Tom Robinson. He...
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...can be mitigated by strong role models. Scout Finch is strongly impacted by the “old traditions of the south” during her growth into womanhood and when she pushes against the stereotypes placed on her as a southerner and a young lady to find her gender identity. The beliefs of Atticus Finch and his involvement in the courtroom have had a big impact on Scout’s growth. Atticus’ beliefs were different than the beliefs of most people of Maycomb and he “bestowed a benevolent order on the Finch household by his example” which slowly shifted Scout’s views on their society’s division....
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...couldn’t have cared less, so long as he could pass and punt. When enough years had gone by to enable us to look back on them, we sometimes discussed the events leading to his accident. I maintain that the Ewells started it all, but Jem, who was four years my senior, said it started long before that. He said it began the summer Dill came to us, when Dill first gave us the idea of making Boo Radley come out. I said if he wanted to take a broad view of the thing, it really began with Andrew Jackson. If General Jackson hadn’t run the Creeks up the creek, Simon Finch would never have paddled up the Alabama, and where would we be if he hadn’t? We were far too old to settle an argument with a fist-fight, so we consulted Atticus. Our father said we were both right. Being Southerners, it was a source of shame to some members of the family that we had no recorded ancestors on either side of the Battle of Hastings. All we had was Simon Finch, a fur-trapping apothecary from Cornwall whose piety was exceeded only by his stinginess. In England, Simon was irritated by the persecution of those who called themselves Methodists at the hands of their more liberal brethren, and as Simon called himself a Methodist, he worked his way across the Atlantic to Philadelphia, thence to Jamaica, thence to Mobile,...
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...As many of you may know, I am Jem Finch, Atticus’ son. I am speaking on behalf of myself and my sister Scout. Atticus Finch was in incredible man who affected all of our lives. He showed us the good in people and helped us try to understand the world we live in. He was a different type of father for Scout and me, but he was the best we could have asked for. He taught us to care for our loved ones. He taught us right from wrong. He taught us the right morals and their importance. We learnt so much from him, and I believe I wouldn’t be half the person I am today without his great influence. His contributions to our lives made us all better people, and we are always reminiscing about the many amazing times we have had with or because of him. My...
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...the author uses the character Bob Ewell (minor character) and Atticus Finch (major character) to reveal the theme of respect. Atticus is a well dressed, politeful man who teaches his kids important life lessons. Bob is a rude, racist man who does not work, or take care of his family. Within the novel, the two foil characters give the reader a better understanding of a parent's respect towards themselves and others. In the novel Atticus strives to teach his kids important life lessons. Respect is the main lesson that Atticus stresses the most. Often, Atticus will set a good example of how to be respectful to elders by saying, “Good Evening, Mrs. Dubose!” (Lee 133) even after she was rude to his children. This shows his children...
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...puts himself in more danger in order to protect others. Dr.Lickerman has his own opinion on what qualities he believes makes a person a hero. He says “What actually makes a hero? I’d argue it’s the willingness to make a personal sacrifice for the benefit of others.” He goes on to explain how one of his patients is a hero because he risked his life to donate a kidney to his brother with AIDS. It was a fact that his brother was going to die and giving away a kidney would cause...
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...causes her a surpassing amount of obstacles. Yet, she manages to triumph over one troublesome adventure after another. However, her carefree personality still held some understandings that many adults did not have possession of. Her inquisitive nature, loyalty, and insight all make up the complicated personality of Scout Finch. One trait that stands out in Scout's nature, is her ability to ask questions that others would keep to themselves. In the scene before the trial, Scout, Jem, and Dill spend their time observing the various individuals who arrived in Maycomb. Jem then pointed out a biracial child in the crowd, and he described their plight to Scout and Dill. After seeing the child, Dill inquires as to how Jem can tell the child apart from the other black children. Jem explains how, but Scout shows her dissatisfaction when she says, "But how can you tell?" I asked. (216) Scout is not satisfied with an uncomplicated answer, she requires a detailed...
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...values. This was shown to the reader by the way Maycomb bent the rules for this family. The Ewells were the only family in Maycomb who were allowed to hunt and trap year-round. The city allowed this due to that fact they would rather Mr. Ewell break a law if he was getting food for his children. “ ‘ … I don’t know of any landowner around here who begrudges those children any game their father can hit’ ” (41). In addition, the Ewells were an uneducated family. The children did not care to take the opportunity to get a proper education. This was due to the irresponsibility of their father in pushing them to attend school. “ ‘Been comin’ to the first grade o’ the first grade for three years now ’ ”(36). Furthermore, the Ewells did not value the quality of respect Mr. Ewell was evidently not respectful of his daughter Mayella nor was he respectful of the court of law. When he was called to testify he lied and even when so far as to pressure Mayella to lie too. “ ‘ I seen that black nigger yonder ruttin’ on my Mayella ’ ” (231). Throughout the novel the Ewells proved to be a different family who did not live by any code of values. The Ewells are distinct in their own way as are the Cunninghams. Certainly, the Cunninghams were proud hardworking farmers. They were a family that knew the value of an education. The Cunninghams were trying to make ends meet...
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...child it has non-judgemental views. Therefore, because of the child narrator, and the other main characters being children, this shows that childhood in ‘‘‘To Kill a Mockingbird’’’ is important and crucial. In the chapters 1 to 12, childhood is presented by friendship, gullibility, pride, questioning and fear. The fear element, is a major part through ‘‘To Kill a Mockingbird’’, because at different stages of the novel at least one of the main characters is scared. The Finch children first experience real friendship in ‘‘‘To Kill a Mockingbird’’’, when they meet Charles Baker Harris – Dill. Before Dill has passed the ‘Jem test’, Dill boasts to Scout and Jem that he can read. Which was not usually common in Maycomb at the time, but Jem and Scout could both read, which meant that they thought Dill was showing off and they wouldn’t want to be friends with him. Also what makes Dill become an issue about friendship, is how he introduces himself. He recites his entire name, and makes fun of Jem’s name (Jeremy Atticus Finch), which therefore causes Jem to dislike him. However when Dill, tells about Dracula, he is accepted in Jem and Scout’s inner friendship circle. All of these actions the boasting, the story telling, and the unnecessary argument with Jem about their names represents Harper Lee’s idea about friendship and childhood in ‘‘‘To Kill a Mockingbird’’’. All three of the...
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