Atticus Finch Research Paper

Lots of people in Maycomb disagree with Atticus defending a black man, and they do not hold their opinions back, which later on leads to violence. For instance, Atticus’s own family fears that Atticus is doing the wrong thing. Scout’s cousin, Francis, tells Scout “‘I guess it ain’t your fault if Uncle Atticus is a n*****-lover besides, but I’m here to tell you it certainly does mortify the rest of the family’” (Lee 110). As you can see, from the quote, Atticus is accused of doing the wrong thing, but Atticus knows that this is not true at all.

He has to deal with all of the hate and consequences from other people for this decision which shows he's courageous because he could've avoided all of that, but instead he did what he wanted to and believed was right. Atticus knows when he first decides to defend Tom, the majority will be against him in this type of society there are

Atticus should have defend Tom Robinson because he was being a good example, he knew Tom was innocent, and he wouldn't be able to live with himself if he didn’t defend him. This matters to Tom Robinson because he could go to prison if Atticus didn't help

In the people of Maycomb they had opinions about Atticus by helping out Tom Robinson just because he is a different race it shouldn’t matter who was Atticus was helping but the people seemed like shocked seeing someone like Atticus helping out Tom Robinson who he deserves a lawyer no matter what his race is.” 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. Miss Stephanie said 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. ”(pg.291). Like Mr. Ewell there might also be other people in Maycomb county that didn’t like Atticus by defending ,Tom Robinson in the court as Tom’s lawyer.

Atticus accepts the Tom Robinson case fully aware of the prejudice, but he finds that if he did not try he would lose important qualities that make up who he is. “...if I didn’t [defend Tom Robinson] I couldn’t hold my head up in this town, I couldn’t represent this town in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again.” (Lee, 100) Atticus proves that ignoring the case would change who he was and make him a disgrace his to profession and the family. His integrity, pride, and honor would be jeopardized, something he cared more about then what other people

The racism and sexism of Maycomb should not be weight on Atticus’ shoulders. It is not his problem to fix the town’s personal beliefs. It would be very hard for Atticus to attempt to change Maycomb’s whole way of life and what they all believe. In the book we are introduced to the racism that exists in the town between white and black people. The racism is pretty harsh.

As it was mentioned earlier, Atticus has a very demanding career. Tom Robinson, the young man Atticus defends, pays for the ignorant and hurtful stereotypes that are made in Maycomb every day. There is the fear of black male sexuality, brought about by stories of white women being raped and beaten by black men. "As you grow older, you'll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you 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 how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash" (220). When the Ewell's charge Tom with rape, his decisions come not from facts of life, but the general classification and stereotypes of Maycomb. "The one place where a man ought to get a square deal is in a courtroom, be he any color of the rainbow, but people have a way of carrying their resentments right into a jury box" (220). Others don't take the time to understand Tom, instead fearing and distrusting him. Tom isn't the only race in Maycomb that is victimized, however.

Atticus knew there would be plenty of people who would not support him through the trial but he was still going to go through with defending Tom. Atticus has ethics and will always stick to those. He genuinely wanted to help Tom because “[he] couldn’t go to church and worship God if [he] didn’t try to help that man.” (Lee 139). He had known that the trial would bring trouble to him and his family.

ATTICUS FINCH Often, courage is not only represented by an individual standing up and speaking, but by one’s ability to sit down and listen. Many characters in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird believe they are courageous by being disrespectful and vulgar; however, Atticus Finch demonstrates real courage by following his own views, and going against the majority. Atticus is humble, rational, and moral, making him one of the few members of Maycomb that make it a better place to live.

Atticus is projecting a belief that even if you don't agree with the actions of people you should still have empathy towards to people of Maycomb, Alabama. When Atticus explains Tom Robinson’s case, he emphasizes three major points. First that the case is personal to him; second, the kids should ignore the nasty thing people have to say; and third no matter what happens the people in Maycomb are still “our friends” (“Being Atticus Finch…”, 1689). These responsibilities is what makes Atticus’s character respected, and teaching his children this behavior is the start of Atticus’s

Atticus is the only person in Maycomb that has realized there should be something done about how African Americans are treated; and he makes sure his children understand this to continue his path later on. On pg. 101 Atticus tells Scout to keep her head high no matter what anyone says about him defending a black man, and when Scout asks him if they’re going to win the trial Atticus replies to her with no. He tells her, “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win.”

In today’s society, a hero is often seen as someone who puts themselves into a directly fatal situation for the purpose of saving other people. A hero is less often thought of as someone who teaches lessons that in turn, could easily save lives. In Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus Finch is a hero to his children, and to Tom Robinson. Atticus devoted a year to defending Tom Robinson when all odds were stacked against him. He spent his time with his children teaching them right from wrong. He tried not to push his opinions on them so they could become their own people, but he tried to set a good example. Atticus very rarely put himself in direct danger because of his actions, but because of his opinions. His opinions affected the views of the people of Maycomb. Atticus Finch was a hero in the most day to day sense.

Despite people’s point of views on Atticus defending a black person, he is determined to do be Tom’s best defense because he treats everyone equally regardless of their ethnicity. Atticus not only wants to be an example for his kids but also for his

Atticus displays tolerance like no one else. He doesn't judge anyone based off their opinions even if they are against him. An example would be when he has an encounter with Bob Ewell and Bob says “Too proud to fight, you nigger-lovin’ bastard?” (Lee 291). Atticus doesn't deny him or becomes angry. He deals with the problem in a responsible manner and tolerates everything Bob says to him. Another example would be when Atticus makes Scout and Jem read to Mrs.Dubose for ruining her flowers. Mrs.Dubose tells the children that Atticus is a nigger-lover, so Jem destroys her Camellias. Atticus is angry, but at Jem. Atticus is tolerable against her

When Atticus took the case, he went up against Maycomb, a generally prejudiced town, in order to defend Tom. He understood that taking the case would make him an object of ridicule and that no one would forgive him for believing a black man's word over a white man's. Even his own sister expresses disapproval at his decision, practically telling him he was bringing disgrace to the family. Nevertheless, no matter how much his reputation suffered, he did not change his mind. Standing up for his morals and ethics was more important than what people thought about him. From the very start Atticus knows he will not win the case however he does his job and finishes what he set out to do.