Atticus Finch is known to be an honest and moral man, people begin to question these things once he defends a Tom Robinson (A Negro) in the court of law. Atticus is one of the few people at this time to believe that Negroes deserve the same rights as white people.
When questioned by Jem as to why he was defending a Negro Atticus says “Before I can live with other folks, I’ve got to live with myself” Atticus is saying that he can’t learn to live with and accept what other people have done until he accepts and learns to live with what he has done, meaning that if he didn’t defend Tom Robinson, then how could he be led to believe that other people would do the same for him, if he was in that position.
Atticus has a certain set of moral principles in his daily life. He is fair and honest, kind and charming and as Miss Maudie says “Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on public streets”. This says that Atticus is in fact a fair and honest man who is not lying or changing his opinions based on the people around him.
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Atticus deals with the charges against Tom Robinson by saying “You know the truth, and the truth is this: some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, and some Negro men are not to be trusted around women, black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men.” Atticus’s point is that all people are capable of crime and wrongdoing, not just black
Atticus is a credible man, he has a lot of ethos, and when he says something this strong you should accept it. Jem is talking to Atticus about Tom’s trial, and how they convicted him on circumstantial evidence, he doesn't believe it's fair to convict on circumstantial evidence, Jem believes that for a person to be sentenced to the death penalty, there should be one or two witnesses to the crime. Atticus is usually a voice for hope but, plainly says racism is a fact of life. Atticus also believes that when a conflict comes down to race, men lose their heads and are no longer reasonable and rational. “Whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich, or how fine of a family he comes from, that man is trash “(295). Atticus defines 'white trash' as the men who as they grow older grow more bitter and cheat black men, the low-grade white man who takes advantage of the Negro’s ignorance. Atticus has lived a long time and has seen white men cheat and judge black man every day. This quote shows my theme because, after Tom Robinson's trial, Tom was clearly innocent, but because of the racist jury and their prejudice opinion, he was found guilty of rape. What Atticus means, is that no one should be judged or discriminated, for any reason, whether it is skin color, religion, or that person's background. If you judge other people, it doesn't show what kind of person they are but, what kind of person you
“: "Our courts have their faults, as does any human institution, but in this country our courts are the great levelers, and in our courts all men are created equal." This quote shows how Atticus is defending Tom Robinson, a black man accused of a crime that he didn’t commit but due to the culture of the setting, Maycomb Alabama, was not receiving a fair trial because of his skin color. This quote shows Atticus not caring about his color and loving him just because of who he is and wants to defend him from what he knows is an unfair trial.
Atticus Finch is an honorable man because of his bravery. Any time he may be scared on the inside he never lets it show through his brave face. The was a time in the novel when a rabid dog was on the loose. Atticus was brave enough to go out there and shoot the dog. On page 127 the author states, “Mr. Tate almost threw the rifle at Atticus. ‘ I’d feel mighty comfortable
Atticus did the right thing by standing up for Tom, because he was an innocent man and he shouldn’t be imprisoned for what he didn’t do. Atticus knew and believed this and he did whatever he could to save Tom Robinson “ “Atticus had used every tool available to free men to save Tom Robinson…” “(Lee, CH.25). This shows us that Atticus truly wanted to save Tom and he knew that Tom was an innocent man. If Atticus wouldn’t have stood up for Tom the chances are no one else would and Tom would never have a chance of freedom. Atticus also knew that Tom was innocent when Tom began to explain that he was sorry for Mayella “ “felt right sorry for her” “(Lee, CH. ?). This shows that Tom was truly innocent because if he wasn’t a black man would never say that they felt sorry for a white women. This helped Atticus understand that he was innocent, and made it the right thing to do when standing up for him. Atticus also knew Tom as a friend, they were always kind to each other and never treated the each other any different from the other. Atticus knew that Tom was innocent and when guarding Tom’s cell at the jail Atticus stood by him the entire night. “ “Mr. Finch? “A soft husky voice came from the darkness above: “They gone?” Atticus stepped back and looked up. They’ve gone,” he said. “Get some sleep, Tom. They won’t bother you any more.” “ (CH. 15). This shows that Atticus truly cares for Tom and if Atticus
For the most part, what Atticus believes can be boiled down to a single simple phrase. “I do my best to love everybody” (Lee 144). Unlike most citizens in the community of Maycomb who are racist and obsessed with social status or position, Atticus looks at everyone as an individual- a human being- even those outcast by the members of their own society (including, but not limited to, Boo Radley, the blacks, and poor of the community). He tries to see the good in everyone and is dedicated to making his children have the same perspective he has. In every sense of the word, Atticus Finch is a wise and kind man, one who doesn’t cause the reader of To Kill a Mockingbird to question his actions, intents, or motivations. In the novel, Atticus makes a very powerful statement that shows his position about racial hatred, and his view of the case, regardless of what the rest of the county thinks about him. “This is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men” (Lee 273). Atticus’s understanding of equality allows him to really see clearly that the case of Tom Robinson has been motivated by racial hatred/discrimination. In general, as a lawyer, he is as much as he is a father- focused on justice, equality, and imbued with the special talent of seeing from a multitude of angles in every situation. Atticus is a man who has a firm belief in racial equality and
In To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, we meet Atticus Finch, a thoughtful man who constantly supports. When Atticus Finch starts to help Tom Robinson on his case, he is told by other people that this would ruin his career. All of the black people stand to honor Atticus because they know he tried his hardest to prove Tom's innocence. (p.241) All of the blacks know that Atticus tried his very hardest to prove Tom Robinson's innocence. All of the blacks were very thankful for Atticus even trying to help Tom.
One assertion about Atticus Finch is that he is a courageous man, who believes in what is right even when it may not be popular. In chapter 17-20, he proves that he is a courageous man when he’s forced with a court case, in which he has to defend Tom Robinson. A black man that was accused of raping a young white girl. The case occurs in the small town Maycomb, where the racial tensions are high. Atticus is a white man and since he is lawyer he has to defend Tom, he knows he cannot win, but he does what is right and goes through with it. That’s why he is courageous, willing to go against all the odds, and do what’s right. Another reason that Atticus is courageous is when Mrs. Dobouse says, “Atticus is a niger lover” (100). This also shows that everyone in the town is against him. They were all once his friends and now because of him defending a black man, now all of the town is against him.
“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.” This quote by Atticus Finch, a character in To Kill a Mockingbird highlights one of the reasons why Atticus is honorable. Atticus Finch possesses admirable qualities that can inspire the readers. Atticus has a cool-temper and he never gets angry. He always does his best to pick the right choice, no matter the circumstances. He is courageous in numerous manners as well. These are only a few of the countless, respectable characteristics that Atticus portrays in this novel.
In Part 1 of To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee introduces Atticus Finch as a father who rejects ideas or practices of racism. At school, Scout hears Cecil Jacob shout that her father, Atticus, is defending ‘niggers’. Later that day, when Scout asks her father what Cecil meant, Atticus explains that he is defending a Negro named Tom Robinson. Scout was stunned by his unexpected response. When Scout asks why, Atticus responds, “I’m simply defending a Negro… for a number of reasons. The main one is if I didn't I couldn't hold my head up in town, I couldn't represent this county in the legislature, I couldn't even tell you or Jem not to do something again.” (86) By accepting Tom Robinson’s case without a single argument, Atticus really shows his civility towards Negroes, even when they are not respected by anyone else in the state. Atticus seeks to treat Tom as an individual while rejecting racism in all forms, both language, and behavior. Not only does this show his belief in racial equality, but it also shows his courage.
Atticus Finch in “To Kill A Mockingbird” did no conforming to the town when he chose to defend a black man, which was obscene back then. Being a lawyer, Atticus felt it was his responsibility and duty to defend the man and would feel ashamed and remorseful if he didn’t. Even when his own children questioned his actions, ‘"If you shouldn't be defendin' him, then why are you doing' it?"’ He answered them with what he knew they would understand and respect. ‘"For a number of reasons," said Atticus. "The main one is, if I didn't I couldn't hold up my head in town, I couldn't represent this county in the legislature, I couldn't even tell you or Jem not to do something again. […] Scout, simply by the nature of the work, every lawyer gets at least one case in his lifetime that affects him personally. This one's mine, I guess."’ (p.100) Atticus fought for what he thought was right, but ended up losing the lawsuit in the end. Nevertheless, his actions and choices earned him respect from every African American in that little town. Filled with gratitude for what Atticus had tried to do for one of their own, they wanted to give all the respect they could. The whole court house stood as he passed, and Reverend Sykes even said “Miss Jean Louise, stand up. Your father’s passin’.” (p.283) to have her understand her father was a great and noble person.
Firstly, Tom Robinson is just one character that is prejudged in the novel. He is accused of raping a white girl named Mayella and it is a problem to the jury that a black man is trying to defend himself in court. Atticus realizes how Tom is being treated unfairly and that it is uncommon for African Americans and white people to associate with each other. During Atticus’s speech, Mayella is accused of lying in her testimony when “she kissed a black man [which is] something that in our society is unspeakable” (Lee 272). The black man who Atticus refers to is Tom. He is ridiculed and judged by several people in the book and he gets all this
Regardless of one?s race or colour, Atticus has a fair attitude towards all people. Early in the novel, a black man named Tom Robinson was accused of raping a white woman. Atticus took on the case to defend Tom without another thought simply because he treats everyone
“You know the truth, and the truth is this: some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around women- black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men.” Atticus states that all men lie and most are not to be trusted around women, it applies to all men, not just to the
Atticus displays these characteristics of positive morals, dignity and fairness by defending rape accused Tom Robinson and trying to provide him with a credible defence against the wishes and social norms of the community, however Atticus Finch abided by the social norms of the community while livingin a racially segregated community, carrying on with his day to day life in such a community, while using “white only” parks and white only buses without directly challenging the racist legal system and Atticus Finch did not dispute the fact that Tom Robinson is tried before an all-white jury and that it was fairly reasonable to assume that they would convict him of rape as a predetermined outcome on the mere fact that he was a black man and she was a white
In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee presents Atticus Finch as a principled lawyer, committed but single father to Scout and Jem, and a law-abiding citizen. Atticus is a respectable gentleman in society and a role model for his children. Throughout the book we see evidence of his honorable intentions, though he doesn’t seem to reap the rewards. He is morally upstanding, even-keeled, and daring. Because of these things, Atticus is a man who deserves great respect and admiration.