What Is Atticus Finch's Character
In the book To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee, one of the main characters is Atticus Finch. He is a highly looked upon lawyer in the small town of Maycomb county. He has two children, Jem and Jean Louise Finch. Atticus has a unique way of parenting his kids that some people do not approve of. He often gets criticized on how he raises his kids. Atticus Finch has flaws but, he is a respectable character within the book.
He begins to doubt his parenting as well when he invites Aunt Alexandra to come live with him. “We felt it was time you needed- well, it’s like this, Scout,” Atticus said. “Your Aunt’s doing me a favor as well as you all.” (Lee 171) It is not talked about much in the book, but Atticus does not always seems to be as confident as he is in the courtroom. One of Atticus’ only weaknesses is his confidence in himself. He seems to doubt himself in his parenting the most. Which I believe is because he lost his wife years ago and is unsure if he is raising his children right. Especially in the feminity in Scout. It is uncommon for girls to wear overalls and play rough at this time in the south. Scout is often criticized for how she dress and how she does not act …show more content…
like a lady. I believe that Atticus raises his kids in a very well-mannered way. He always tries to see his children's point of view before acting on anything. Atticus respects his kids and his kids respect him. It shows how he respects his kids when he never avoids questions and answers them intellectually. It is shown in the book when he explained rape to Scout, “ He sighed and said rape was carnal knowledge of a female by force and without consent.” (Lee 180) Atticus shows his kids his way of thinking of what is wrong and right. He had no problem with racism and showed his kids that as well. Even if others did not think his racial thoughts were appropriate. He showed this when he went against Aunt Alexandra and told Scout she could go to church with Calpurnia. “ I don’t see any harm in letting her go out there. Cal’d look after her there as well as she does here.” (Lee 182) Atticus never had the same beliefs as everyone else did in Maycomb County. He went against everyone's belief in that colored people were less important than white people. Especially, in the justice system. In the justice system, Atticus believes everyone is equal in the name of the law. He is respected because he goes against many beliefs of the people in Maycomb county, yet he respects their opinion as well. Atticus is very well respected in the town, yet he does not think highly of himself.
He is never one to brag or even mention his great talents that he has. In the book, Heck Tate even believes that Atticus is a better shot and asks him to kill the mad dog instead of him. This comes to a surprise to Jem and Scout because Atticus had never mentioned shooting anything or if he shot at all. “Jem became vaguely articulate: “'d you see him, Scout? ’d you see him just standin’ there?… ‘n‘ all of a sudden he just relaxed all over, an’ it looked like that gun was a part of him… an‘ he did it so quick, like… I hafta aim for ten minutes ’fore I can hit somethin‘…” (Lee 129) Atticus does not even tell his kids of the talents he has. I believe Atticus does not even realize how well of a lawyer he
is.
When in the courtroom, Atticus is very well respected and respects everyone else. I believe Atticus knew from the beginning he would not win the case with Tom Robinson. Since, Tom was black and during this time racism in the south was at an all time high. Even though Atticus knew that he probably would not win the case he still tried his hardest to win against two white people's word against one black mans. He had good faith in Tom and even planned for an appeal when Tom was sent to jail. “ It’s not time to worry yet,” Atticus reassured him, as we went to the dining room. “We’re not through yet. There’ll be an appeal, you can count on that.” (Lee 285) Atticus was also very respectable to the Ewells, even though they were quite rude to him.
During the courtroom hearing, Atticus was being polite to Mayella during her questioning. Mayella got frustrated with him being polite to her, yet Atticus calmly reassures her that he was just being polite. Even outside the courtroom, when Bob Ewell confronts Atticus that it was his fault that he lost his job and Atticus does not have any remarks towards him. At the post office, Bob spat on Atticus’ face and Atticus just simply pulled out his handkerchief and wipes his face. “According to Miss Stephanie Crawford, however, Atticus was leaving the post office when Mr. Ewell approached him, cursed him, spat on him, and threatened to kill him.” (Lee 291)
He begins to doubt his parenting as well when he invites Aunt Alexandra to come live with him. “We felt it was time you needed- well, it’s like this, Scout,” Atticus said. “Your Aunt’s doing me a favor as well as you all.” (Lee 171) It is not talked about much in the book, but Atticus does not always seems to be as confident as he is in the courtroom. One of Atticus’ only weaknesses is his confidence in himself. He seems to doubt himself in his parenting the most. Which I believe is because he lost his wife years ago and is unsure if he is raising his children right. Especially in the feminity in Scout. It is uncommon for girls to wear overalls and play rough at this time in the south. Scout is often criticized for how she dress and how she does not act …show more content…
like a lady. I believe that Atticus raises his kids in a very well-mannered way. He always tries to see his children's point of view before acting on anything. Atticus respects his kids and his kids respect him. It shows how he respects his kids when he never avoids questions and answers them intellectually. It is shown in the book when he explained rape to Scout, “ He sighed and said rape was carnal knowledge of a female by force and without consent.” (Lee 180) Atticus shows his kids his way of thinking of what is wrong and right. He had no problem with racism and showed his kids that as well. Even if others did not think his racial thoughts were appropriate. He showed this when he went against Aunt Alexandra and told Scout she could go to church with Calpurnia. “ I don’t see any harm in letting her go out there. Cal’d look after her there as well as she does here.” (Lee 182) Atticus never had the same beliefs as everyone else did in Maycomb County. He went against everyone's belief in that colored people were less important than white people. Especially, in the justice system. In the justice system, Atticus believes everyone is equal in the name of the law. He is respected because he goes against many beliefs of the people in Maycomb county, yet he respects their opinion as well. Atticus is very well respected in the town, yet he does not think highly of himself.
He is never one to brag or even mention his great talents that he has. In the book, Heck Tate even believes that Atticus is a better shot and asks him to kill the mad dog instead of him. This comes to a surprise to Jem and Scout because Atticus had never mentioned shooting anything or if he shot at all. “Jem became vaguely articulate: “'d you see him, Scout? ’d you see him just standin’ there?… ‘n‘ all of a sudden he just relaxed all over, an’ it looked like that gun was a part of him… an‘ he did it so quick, like… I hafta aim for ten minutes ’fore I can hit somethin‘…” (Lee 129) Atticus does not even tell his kids of the talents he has. I believe Atticus does not even realize how well of a lawyer he
is.
When in the courtroom, Atticus is very well respected and respects everyone else. I believe Atticus knew from the beginning he would not win the case with Tom Robinson. Since, Tom was black and during this time racism in the south was at an all time high. Even though Atticus knew that he probably would not win the case he still tried his hardest to win against two white people's word against one black mans. He had good faith in Tom and even planned for an appeal when Tom was sent to jail. “ It’s not time to worry yet,” Atticus reassured him, as we went to the dining room. “We’re not through yet. There’ll be an appeal, you can count on that.” (Lee 285) Atticus was also very respectable to the Ewells, even though they were quite rude to him.
During the courtroom hearing, Atticus was being polite to Mayella during her questioning. Mayella got frustrated with him being polite to her, yet Atticus calmly reassures her that he was just being polite. Even outside the courtroom, when Bob Ewell confronts Atticus that it was his fault that he lost his job and Atticus does not have any remarks towards him. At the post office, Bob spat on Atticus’ face and Atticus just simply pulled out his handkerchief and wipes his face. “According to Miss Stephanie Crawford, however, Atticus was leaving the post office when Mr. Ewell approached him, cursed him, spat on him, and threatened to kill him.” (Lee 291)