To Kill a Mockingbird Essay

To Kill A Mocking Bird “Racism has been an integral component of American culture since it’s founding upon the genocide of Native Americans, and the forced slavery of Africans and Afro-Americans.” (Vincent F. Rocchio). Although many white men supported segregation during the 1930’s, Atticus Finch displayed inner strength and courage despite what others thought about his beliefs towards black men. Topic sentence. When other children tormented Scout at school, Atticus explained to Scout that he wouldn’t be able to hold his head up anymore if he shirked his responsibility for the court case. When Scout asked if he was going to win Atticus responded, “ Courage is not a man with a gun in his hand, it’s knowing you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do.” As Atticus explains to Scout the responsibility he has, he relates it to her responsibility in school. Her behavior represents the family and she must act appropriately when teased in school. The courage in Atticus’s nature shines through as he noticed a rabid dog wandering in the streets. Atticus acted quickly and shot the dog with no hesitation. His children, Jem and Scout, were filled with pride as a neighbor approached them and complimented their father’s action. “It was times like these when I thought my father, who had never owned a gun or been in any wars, was the bravest man whoever lived.”(201). Atticus was also known as the “One shot Finch” because in past years he had never missed his target. The entire neighborhood was grateful for Atticus’s bravery, but Atticus knew what he had to do to protect others. The overwhelmed Jem and Scout felt pride in their father. Atticus showed courage by accepting the case, and shooting the dog. The well-respected Atticus Finch displayed inner strength to do what’s right in his eyes by supporting human rights and understanding the consequences for supporting his beliefs. Many white men dislike African-Americans because of skin color and how blacks are considered slaves in the human race. As Atticus explains to Scout and Jem, “As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheating black men every day of your life, but let me tell your something and don’t you forget it- whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash.” Atticus shares his honest opinion with his children hoping they would never become caught up in the view prevalent in the south about segregation and racism. By displaying inner strength his wise opinions inspired Jem and Scout to do the right thing in difficult situations. Unfortunately in the town of Maycomb, not many white men think like Atticus does, but instead they tend to blame most problems on black men. Disputes between blacks and whites usually resulted in the white man winning, even if the Blackman had a reasonable argument. As Atticus explains, “ There is something in our world today that makes men loose their heads- they could not be fair if they tried. In our courts, when it’s a white man’s word against a Blackmans word, the white always wins. They’re ugly, but these are facts of life.”(252). Facts of life may change, but at this point in time black people have no human rights, and that is what Atticus fights for. The strength and power needed to express ones opinion against all others takes courage. Atticus Finch represented the black Tom Robinson in a case because he was capable of handling the criticism and had the strength and courage to move on. Although many white men despised the thought of supporting Negros human rights, Atticus Finch displayed inner strength and courage by standing up for what he believed in. Although Atticus never won the case, he was pleased with the work he had accomplished. He shared his opinions with Jem and Scout and opened their eyes to the world and gave them a new perspective on it. Atticus encourages his children to never make the mistake of disproving human rights to any black or white man. In this story, Atticus Finch provides insight and inspiration to those who are looking for inner strength.