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Character Analysis Of Atticus Finch In To Kill A Mockingbird

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In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch proves to be one of the most inspirational fictional characters of the twentieth century. Atticus Finch is a lawyer in Maycomb County, Alabama. When a trial of a black man who supposedly raped a white female, the ugly racist truth comes out of the white privileged inhabitants of Maycomb. However, true to his character, Atticus Finch continues to fight for justice for the accused Tom. In this time of hate, Atticus proves to be fair, wise and morally upright, and a passionate lawyer. While the air is tense and hostile, Atticus does not let that impede on what he knows to be correct.

The first characteristic Atticus shows early in the novel is being fair and polite and respecting everyone even despite gender and race. Atticus shares his wisdom to Scout by saying, "First of all," he said, "if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view […] until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." (Lee 39) Atticus possess the ability to see pain through others eyes. Later in the novel, Bob Ewell spits in Atticus’s face and he does not retaliate. He understands that during the trial he offended Mr. Ewell’s reputation and honor by accusing him of beating Mayella. Atticus continues to be civil towards Mr. Ewell as he believes that taking the anger will save Mayella from another beating. Atticus

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