How Is Atticus Finch Influence In To Kill A Mockingbird

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.
Atticus defends his belief of
equality by treating disabled and less fortunate people in a respectful manner. When Jem and Scout were annoying Boo Radley with a bell, Atticus steps in, “I’m going to tell you something and tell you one time: stop tormenting that man. That goes for the both of you” (Lee 65). Atticus’ defense of Boo Radley supports the idea that although Mr. Radley is incredibly reticent, it does not mean that he does not deserve to be treated worse than anyone else. Along with stepping in, Atticus treats Mrs. Dubose with respect. While Jem complains about reading to Mrs. Dubose, Atticus responds by explaining, “ Easy does it son… She’s an old lady and she’s ill. You just hold your head high and be a gentleman” (Lee 133). The reaction that Atticus has to Jem’s lack of understanding emphasizes Atticus’ belief that mentally challenged people should be treated with respect. Atticus does not discriminate against a mentally unstable person or a shy man, which allows the reader to then observe that Atticus’ purpose is to contrast against the racism that lives in this society. Atticus’ defiance can similarly be found while protecting a black man from the threats that racist judicial system brought him.
In addition, Atticus defied the societal norms by attempting to save Tom Robinson in court. While fighting for the rights of Tom Robinson, a man guilty of being colored, Atticus attempts to discredit the prosecution by stating that Mayella is lying. Scout then realizes who is truly guilty, “Atticus was trying to show, it seemed to me, that Mr. Ewell could have beaten up Mayella… If her right eye was blacked and she was beaten mostly on the right side of the face, it would tend to show that a left-handed person did it” (Lee 238). This attempt at suggesting that a white family is lying in a court showcases Atticus’ belief that the race of a man does not define the validity of their statements. Additionally, although Tom Robinson is black, it does not diminish his innocence. Along with suggesting that Mayella was lying, Atticus threatens Bob Ewell in court. Atticus attempts to force Mr. Ewell to take back his statement by stating, “‘Do you really think so?’ This was the second time I heard Atticus ask that question in two days, and it meant somebody’s man would get jumped” (Lee 202). Atticus’ attempt to intimidate Bob Ewell supports Atticus belief that whoever the person is, even if they are black, he should attempt to use the same tactics in proving their innocence. This idea is similarly found when Atticus’ ideas are completely rejected.
Even when Atticus faces challenges towards these ideals, he never abandons them for the societal beliefs.
Before Atticus defends Tom Robinson, he acknowledges that he cannot win, “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win…” (Lee 101) Realizing this, Atticus’ character becomes an understanding person that although he will not succeed, and he will become disliked, he should not relinquish these ideals. Atticus continues to fight for his beliefs when confronting the men, for the protection of Tom Robinson. There, Scout observes that “There was a smell of stale whiskey and pigpen about… These men were strangers… Atticus got up from his chair, but he was moving slowly, like an old man. He put the newspaper down very carefully, adjusting its creases with lingering fingers. They were trembling a little” (Lee 203). Atticus is clearly prepared to fight these men, causing Atticus’ idea that he would do anything in order to obtain what he wants. The actions that Atticus displays to protect his own beliefs, allows for Atticus to then become the embodiment of the author’s
purpose.
Atticus Finch is a unique character in the story, To Kill a Mockingbird, since he sees people as if though there is no distinction between races, which allows the author’s purpose to become a statement on the horrific discrimination in the 1930s. Atticus violates the community by repeatedly treating mentally challenged and shy man as equal in life. The societal law is also defied by Atticus attempting to save Tom Robinson in the court of law. This defiance is further exemplified by Atticus not accepting the town’s beliefs, even though his reputation would shatter. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch acts as a shining image for a fight against racism in the southern town of Maycomb.