Atticus Finch Role Model

Gentleman of the South

Growing up in a town divided by discrimination and bigotry can be hard for a child. As a result, a constructive idol is needed. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch fits the job. He is a positive role model for his two children, Jem and Scout. This is demonstrated through his strong sense of equality, wise personality and courteous behaviour. Throughout the story, Atticus exemplifies everything a father should be and is the backbone to this riveting story. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus Finch has a strong sense of equality and believes in accepting people for who they are. His strong sense of equality was shown through his firm opinion of people who cheat others due to their
race. He deems that “Whenever a white man cheats a black man, that white man is trash” (295) He also believes that it doesn’t matter “Who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from”(295) because that man is still trash. This proves that Atticus has a strong sense of equality because he believes that race shouldn’t determine whether someone is good or not. He presumes that you can’t judge or cheat somebody because of their colour or ethnicity. Atticus’ solid belief that all men are equal was proven when he chose to undertake the Tom Robinson case, despite the town’s disagreements: “I’m simply defending a Negro. You might hear some ugly talk about it around town because this time we’re fighting our friends as well and they think I shouldn’t do much about defending this man, but I am” (100). This reflects that Atticus believes all men are equal because he didn’t allow the town’s discrepancy or Tom’s race prevent him from helping this man. He believed that Tom deserved an equal chance in court in spite of everyone’s defying comments. Therefore, in the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus Finch has a strong sense of equality which contributes to him being a positive role model for his children. Throughout the story Atticus Finch is a wise individual with clever teachings.
Atticus confirms that he is wise when he taught Scout no to prejudge others: “You never really understand a person until you consider things from their point of view; until you have climbed into their skin and walked around in it” (39). This indicates that Atticus is wise because he knew that unless you truly understand someone’s life, you can’t decide who they are. Furthermore, this proves that he is wise because he also passed this knowledge onto Scout, ensuring that she knew as well. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus establishes that he is wise because of his lessons. One instance was when he explained to Jem about the racist and unfair people that were a part of the Tom Robinson case: “Tom Robinson’s a coloured man. No jury in this part of the world’s going to say, ‘We think you’re guilty, but not very.’ In our courts, when it’s a white man’s word against a black man’s, the white man always wins. They’re ugly, but those are the facts of life” (294-295). Saying so proves that Atticus is wise because he understands the society and type of people that surround them. He grasps the idea about how unfair and unjust the people in Maycomb are. For these reasons, Atticus Finch is a wise person. His intelligent points of view and lessons make him a positive role model, especially for his
children. Finally, Atticus Finch is a very courteous man in the novel To Kill A Mockingbird. Atticus demonstrates his courteous personality when he talks about addressing Mrs. Dubose. He tells Jem how to treat her by “Holding your head high and being a gentleman” (133). Moreover, Atticus would tell Mrs. Dubose that she “looked like a picture” and would “tell her the courthouse news and said he hoped with all his heart that she’d have a good day tomorrow, then return his hat to his head” (134). This action implies that Atticus is courteous because even though everyone else thinks that Mrs. Dubose is terrible, Atticus insists on being kind to her. He is a gentleman to her, despite her awful personality. Lastly, Atticus is a considerate man because of how he treated Mayella during her testimony. Mayella said that Atticus kept on calling her “ma’am an’ saying’ Miss Mayella.” Also, Judge Taylor later on explained to Mayella that “That’s just Mr. Finch’s way.” He also mentions that Atticus and he have been doing “business in that court for years and years, and Mr. Finch is always courteous to everybody” (243). This particular excerpt confirms that Atticus is courteous because he is showing consideration towards Mayella even though she accused Tom in order to dismiss her own guilt. Furthermore, an honorable man, Judge Taylor, confirmed Atticus’ respectful ways. Consequently, Atticus Finch is a positive role model for his children because he is also a courteous individual. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch is a genuine role model for his two children, Jem and Scout. He is a man with a strong sense of equality, a wise disposition with a truly courteous nature. Atticus Finch is an inspiration; he goes through life positively. He provides an illuminating path for his children, which makes him a positive role model.