To Kill A Mockingbird Essay

Triumph Through Adversity In Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, the damaging effect of hatred between the African-Americans and caucasians contributes to the severe racial discrimination in the Southern States. Lee illustrates this widespread racism by establishing the book’s setting in Maycomb County, a small Alabama town economically struggling during the Great Depression. The plot centers around a court case in which Tom Robinson, a black man, is accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a white woman. Atticus Finch, a lawyer in Maycomb, makes a remarkable decision to defend Tom. While practically every bit of evidence supports Robinson's innocence, the immense majority of the town assumes that he is guilty because of his race and ridiculed Atticus for attempting to tell them otherwise. Atticus and his children, especially his young daughter, Scout, are constantly harassed for the choice of siding with a black man. Despite the disrespect and poor support from Maycomb citizens, Atticus uses his powerful characteristics to control his emotions, prevent impulsivity, and teach others about the detriments of prejudice. Throughout the novel, Harper Lee establishes Atticus as a courageous, integrative, and tolerant character, which ultimately allows the reader to realize that society needs to be more accepting and respectful of others rather than making unfair assumptions based on race.

To start with, Atticus portrays the characteristic of courageousness because of his strong moral views to improve and promote equality in Maycomb. For instance, Lee first Becker 2 exemplifies Atticus’s moral courage when he is able to see multiple sides of matters and reflect that towards his children. Atticus expresses his strong feelings to his children when he states,“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 see it through no matter what” (Lee 149). Here, Atticus educates his children as to the true meaning of heroism. As punishment, Jem was unknowingly helping Mrs. Dubose overcome her morphine addiction. Atticus reveals this to his children after the woman has passed, and lets them evaluate the situation for themselves as he teaches them the real value of courage and adulthood. Lee here positively depicts an example of Atticus’s courage as he explains to his children to realize the magnitude of their actions around the community. Additionally, Atticus further displays the true meaning of courage by representing Tom Robinson in court. While Atticus is ultimately assigned to be Robinson’s public offender by Judge Taylor, he earns the community’s displeasure in his determination to defend him, honorably and fairly, and to the best of his abilities. Atticus at last, completes his seek to promote Tom’s innocence by stating, “I'm no idealist to believe firmly in the integrity of our courts and in the jury system—that is no ideal to me, it is a living, working reality. Gentlemen, a court is no better than each man of you sitting before me on this jury. A court is only as sound as its jury, and a jury is only as sound as the men who make it up. I am confident that you gentlemen will review without passion the evidence you have heard, come to a decision, and restore this defendant to his family. In the name of God, do your duty” (274). For Atticus, Tom's trial means more than the fate of a single man, it even means more than a mandate on racism in Maycomb. The case is about the fairness of the Maycomb County Court System, which means it's about the fairness of the Maycomb people. In Becker 3 his closing remarks, Atticus argues for big principles like equality and responsibility, but he doesn't for a moment lose the sight of the fact that in the end it's the people and their choices that make a community stand or fall. Overall, Atticus is signifying tremendous courage by going up against the social norms of racial discrimination and advocating for equality.

Furthermore, Atticus represents the characteristic of integrity by his unique parenting style of displaying justice and civil rights to his children. For example, Atticus exemplifies his commendable parenting abilities when he is able to teach his children valuable life lessons, to respect others, and also by treating them like adults. Scout is finally able to realize Atticus's strong moral beliefs when she claims, “Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. Just standing on the Radley porch was enough” (279). Standing on the Radley porch allows Scout to finally see the world from Boo Radley's point of view. Earlier in the plot, she was terrified every time she passed the Radley’s house. Now, as she stands on his porch, she recognizes how much she has grown and how much Atticus has taught her throughout the novel. Scout is ultimately one example of Atticus’s strong teachings of integrity as he exposes to her the true meaning of courage. Atticus ultimately makes clear his intentions to make his children into adults with strong moral values. Moreover, Atticus further indicates to his children the importance of considering others privacy. To the point, Scout is unable to appreciate Miss Caroline during class because of her meager knowledge of the class as she is new in the community. After listening to Scout’s reflection of her rough day, Atticus replies, “First of all, if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you’ll get along better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a
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person until you consider things from his point of view--- until you climb into his skin and walk around in it” (39). Whenever his children feel angry at the misbehavior or ignorance of individuals in Maycomb, he encourages their tolerance and respect by urging them to view the other person’s side of a situation. While Scout disapproves of her new teacher, Atticus uses a moral perspective to conclude that Miss Caroline cannot be expected to know the backgrounds of her students immediately. Atticus understands that people can not be held responsible for what they know, but folks, like Miss Caroline need to do the best they can in their circumstances. Evidently, Atticus signifies to his children the outcome of having a smart view towards having honesty and using it in an effective tone.

In addition, Lee signifies Atticus’s tolerance when he is able to ignore others and stand up for what is right in society. Atticus exhibits overpowering resistance in his profession as an attorney as he uses his determination to grant him the ability to overcome harsh insults and criticism. This is displayed when Atticus is able to avoid Mr. Ewell’s actions as Mrs. Stephanie explains, “Atticus didn’t bat an eye, just took out his handkerchief and wiped his face and stood there and let Mr. Ewell call him names wild horses could not bring her to repeat” (291). Atticus realizes that Mr. Ewell’s actions are not worrisome, but something that will let him protrude his anger out over the trial. Although, Bob Ewell’s main intentions are to harm his family and friends. Atticus is able to control his emotions and not let Mr. Ewell’s actions get the best of him. Given his actions, Atticus uses his tolerance to stand up for what is right in this situation and for his family. Likewise, Atticus further illustrates tolerance by leading by example in the community. Atticus as a lawyer represents all the patience that everyone in the justice system should
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present. He promotes equality, does not hold hatred, and looks at every situation from multiple perspectives. Here, Mrs. Maudie beholds Atticus’s sense of dignity as she states, “Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets” (87). Miss Maudie directly mentions that Atticus would never treat anybody without respect and that he will always stick up for anyone in the court of law. Atticus also shows he is a skilled lawyer and without making direct accusations, he puts up a very good argument for Tom Robinson's freedom. Although, Atticus is in an adverse situation with the Tom Robinson case, he still performs with a calm demeanor in and out of the courtroom. Most importantly, Atticus indicates the means it takes to be a strong leader in society, teaching equal rights and assisting those who are innocent despite race.

In brief, Harper Lee’s portrayal of Atticus as courageous, honest, and tolerant shows that a moral understanding of others is crucial in building equality in society. Atticus’s patient parenting style gives him the ability to expand his children’s wisdom and allow them to learn from experiences. Furthermore, he exhibits courage as a public defender by overcoming hostility and influencing the small population of Maycomb County to adopt more sympathetic perspectives. Additionally, Atticus utilizes the principle of tolerance as a parent when he is able to lead by example in dealing with other individuals in an accepting manner. Atticus is remembered not only as an influential character, but more importantly, as a strong influence for courage in our modern society. Harper Lee proves that a lack of a firm voice in society, leads to fighting, violence, and finally destroys the peace and security of the human culture. When individuals become destructive, they use force and aggression to support their point of view. There have been several considerable incidents in recent history where a lack of a strong mentality, people have
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attacked people of other faiths, their places of worship, and their communities. To prevent reoccurrence, the public has a responsibility to educate its children about the important values of courage, integrity, and tolerance, like Atticus towards his children and Maycomb. All things considered, an exemplary figure like Atticus Finch is needed in all parts of life, because he plays a pivotal role in establishing peace and equality in society as a whole.