Preview

How Is Atticus Finch Idealistic

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1073 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
How Is Atticus Finch Idealistic
In Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" Atticus Finch was portrayed as the ideal man. This presentation of Atticus Finch is far too idealistic. Atticus never waivers from behaving perfectly, so perfectly that he exhibits no human foibles. The portrait painted of him is far too idealistic; he always acts courageously and morally, he is a model father and he has no prejudices despite that fact he lives in a time and an environment that is consumed by racism.

Atticus Finch lived in a time in Southern Alabama when a system of segregation and bitter racism was enforced by law kept African Americans from achieving equality or improving themselves. White people were told that they were above black people. Atticus had no such prejudice which was unrealistic for this time. Atticus is a lawyer in Maycomb, a typical southern town where racial discrimination is the normal behaviour. "Blacks" went to different churches, there was segregated seating in the courts, where all men are meant to be equal and in every aspect of their lives they were treated as inferiors.
…show more content…

The feelings and exhibited concern and empathy for other is too extreme. When defending Tom Robinson, during the court case he questions Mayella Ewell with courtesy and respect. Mayella is an uneducated girl whom Atticus believes is lying about being raped by Tom Robinson. Mayella is rude to Atticus saying "Won't answer a word you say long as you keep on mockin' me." (page 200). However Atticus remains calm and polite, never attempting to trick her. He addresses her as "miss" and his own daughter Scout "wondered if anybody had ever called her ma'am or 'Miss Mayella' in her life." (page 201). Atticus shows an empathy towards Mayella, he knows she is like a wounded animal and he doesn't want to hurt any further. The caring and concern presented by Atticus Finch is too idealistic. This extreme idealistic portrayal extends to his role as a single father and a

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Tom Robinson Quotes

    • 129 Words
    • 1 Page

    Atticus Finch has many good reasons to defend Tom Robinson, the defendant: who allegedly raped Mayella…

    • 129 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Based on perspective, Atticus Finch considers that Maycomb is a racist, yet an atrocious town; due to its racialist/intolerant behaviors that the citizens practice towards different skin complexions. For instance, an example of this bigotry can be demonstrated by Tom Robinson’s case; as this was clearly shown/said throughout the arguments during the court trial. As a single parent and a lawyer, Atticus Finch receives a lot of negative attention in Maycomb for representing Tom Robinson's case; which also, happens to have a negative impact on his children. They are talked about, made fun of, and their lives are even threatened at some points.…

    • 199 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Atticus Finch is a smart man worthy of being lawyer. In the fictional novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee that tells the story of a young girl Scout Finch, who is coming of age. Scout in the beginning of the novel did not have much tolerance and soon as the novel progressed she came to decide that not everyone will agree with her. Scout who is always around Atticus makes up a part of that impact in her life. The advice given for Scout help to build her to be good well being. To being told that everyone is equal. Atticus is a brave, intelligent, and responsible man.…

    • 688 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    In the book To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch is a lawyer defending a African American man who was falsely accused of rape. The story is set in the South during the Great Depression. Atticus Finch has been very well known for three main traits being bold, being fearful, being able to think outside the box. These traits caused others to be effected by him and his actions. Atticus is considered a good role model by the way he carries himself ,by the way he treats his kids and by the way he treats other people that he encounters.…

    • 451 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Firstly, Atticus consistently exhibits an important quality of a hero: protecting the weaker and the disadvantaged. This character trait is evident when Atticus is told that there was a mad dog heading down the main residential street and could potentially harm his children and the citizens of Maycomb. He rushes back from work (despite his busy schedule as a prominent lawyer of the town) and takes over the daunting task from the sheriff to shoot dead the dangerous dog in one shot. Another example of Atticus’ hero traits is apparent in his dealings with Arthur ‘Boo’ Radley, a social outcast. Although everyone else –including his children– regard ‘Boo’ as a malevolent phantom, Atticus asks his children to be slow to judge, and to “climb into a person’s skin and walk around in it” before judging him or her. Most of all, Atticus willingly defended Tom Robinson, a black man, against the word of a white person, during an era where coloured people were considered to be the lowest class and consequently suffered discrimination by the vast majority of the society.…

    • 558 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    “The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience” (Lee 108). There are many admirable characters in To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus Finch is one of these characters that we see. He is very true to who he is and has very good character. He is likely the best character in the entire novel.…

    • 485 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Atticus goes against the values of society. At the time period, blacks and whites were segregated and wanted nothing to do with each other. When a black man, Tom Robinson was accused of raping white girl, Mayella Ewell, tension grew among Maycomb. Atticus goes against the town's values and beliefs about blacks and decides to take Toms side. He believes Tom is innocent and supports him while society takes Mayella's side. Atticus demonstrates how skin color should not matter.…

    • 444 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    “I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the university” - (Albert Einstein). These words reflect the way Atticus Finch, protagonist, attorney, and father in Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, lives his life. There is no difference to him in regards to race, social status, or gender. Atticus Finch is an admirable gentleman who demonstrates intelligence and respectfulness throughout the Tom Robinson trial and his interactions with people who despised the fact that he was taking the case. He strongly believes in respect for people of color and passes his belief down to his children by taking the Tom Robinson case. Although he is at times too trusting of people, his words and actions continue to prove to his children and community how a real gentleman behaves.…

    • 667 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Although Tom felt sorry for Mayella because of her predicament of being less fortunate it put him in a situation in where he ended up losing everything. Both Atticus and Tom underestimated the Ewell family and was deeply hurt in the end. Atticus being a white respected lawyer in the community gets misjudged about his loyalty for the choice he made. Atticus risked losing both of his kids because Bob Ewell had it out for Atticus since he took on the case. “Run, Scout! Run! Run!” (Lee, 351). Bob went for Atticus by going after the two most important things in his life, Jem and…

    • 735 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Finches went to an all white school with all white friends and in a white neighborhood with a black cook. The Finches were a typical white family, and they looked down on blacks, but back then it was normal, but Atticus Finch was the exception in their family, he was representing a black man in court, by doing this he put his family's life, his life, his job, his career,and everything that was important to him. Their cook was a black lady named Calpurnia, Atticus thought of her as family, but when Aunt Alexandra came to visit, she couldn’t believe the way Atticus treated her, he…

    • 703 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch is the definition of a non-discriminatory and rebellious person, who single-handedly allows for Harper Lee’s purpose to be revealed. Atticus Finch violates the law of his community by believing that everyone is equal in life. This societal law is also defied by Atticus in treating an African American as a white person. Atticus also differs from the rest of his society by not conforming to accepted beliefs, even if his life and reputation would disappear. Atticus Finch defiance is found when he disregards the race and mental state of those he meets, and judges them based upon the validity of their beliefs. Atticus endures backlash towards these beliefs, which consequently reveals the author’s purpose as a statement on the awful inequality of discrimination of all people.…

    • 883 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Atticus Finch Classic

    • 797 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Aunt Alexandra tells Jem and Scout they have to act like Finches. Initially, Atticus agrees with her, but says differently while he puts his children to bed, that “I don’t want you to remember it. Forget it.” (178). Atticus doesn’t want himself or his kids to act like the rest of their family. He likes everyone to think for themselves and be their own person. Again, Atticus is genuine when Heck is telling Atticus that Jem did not kill Bob Ewell, but in his shock, Atticus doesn’t believe him and thinks Tate is trying to cover up what Jem did. Atticus tells Mr. Tate that, “I don’t live that way.” (365). Atticus is an honest person, and he always tries to be honest and outright. He doesn’t act different around certain people or in certain social settings. As the Finches’ neighbor Miss Maudie Atkinson says, “Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets.” (61).…

    • 797 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Atticus Finch Hero

    • 1272 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The core character of a novel is responsible for maintaining the stability of society within the novel, exhibiting qualities of a true hero, and constantly emphasizing the novel’s central themes. Atticus Finch serves as this core in ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, a novel written by Harper Lee. The story, set in the 1930’s, was written in a time when racism and discrimination to those who were different was rife in America, namely the southern states. Lee’s novel presented the problem in a new eye to the public, and slammed the people, the world even, by showing them what such discrimination was like. Atticus, father of two and a local town lawyer, proves to be one of the main characters used to express Lee’s points. The ways in which Atticus, or…

    • 1272 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    SOCIETY NORMS VS. INDIVIDUALITY The book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee deals with several controversial topics. Among these is society norms vs. individual. The setting of the story takes place in the 1930’s in the southern town of Maycomb.…

    • 335 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Mayella Violet Ewell

    • 260 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Mayella Violet Ewell is Tom Robinson's 19-and-a-half-year-old accuser and the eldest daughter of Bob Ewell; she has to take care of her siblings (such as Burris Ewell) due to Bob Ewell's alcoholism. Before the trial, Mayella is noted for growing red geraniums outside her otherwise dirty home. Due to her family's living situation, Mayella has no opportunity for human contact or love, and she eventually gets so desperate that she attempts to seduce a black man, Tom Robinson. Her father sees this through a window, and in punishment he beats her. Ewell then finds the sheriff, Heck Tate, and tells him that his daughter has been raped and beaten by Tom. At the trial, Atticus proves that it was her father who beat her by pointing out that the bruises are on the right side of her face only. This is important because Tom's left hand is mangled and useless, while Bob Ewell is left handed. When Atticus Finch asks her if she has any friends, she becomes confused because she does not know what a friend is. During her testimony, she is confused by Atticus' polite speech and thinks that his use of "Miss Mayella" is meant to mock her.…

    • 260 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays