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How Is Atticus Finch A Good Role Model

Decent Essays

Children need an influential role model in their life in order to be successful and to live a fortunate life. Atticus Finch, one of the important characters in To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, is portrayed as a lawyer and a single parent striving to raise his children to see the good in people within Maycomb’s racist community. Atticus says that people never really understand someone until they put themselves in that person's shoes and see things their way. If people do the same to see things in Atticus’ view or almost any parent perspective, they would see a strong desire to raise his/her child the right way. Jem and Scout Finch, who are both Atticus’ children learn many moral lessons from Atticus because he encounters some adverse situations himself. In other words, Atticus determines to teach Jem and Scout the righteous aspects of life. …show more content…

When Atticus is questioned by Scout about his new case, Atticus replies,”I’m simply defending a Negro—his name’s Tom Robinson.” (Lee 100). To begin with, Atticus simply tells Scout that defending an African American is not a big deal despite how the town chooses to react. He is trying to show Scout that he does not care if the people of Maycomb are slandering him, but he believes that taking a huge risk such as defending Tom Robinson is worth taking if its to save someone. Furthermore, as the two children plan to practice shooting, Atticus advises them, “Shoot all the Bluejays you want, if you can hit’em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a Mockingbird.” (Lee 119). It is metaphorically symbolized that Tom Robinson is a Mockingbird. His sentence was death, even though Tom never did anything to harm anyone. The fact that he was black made sure he was convicted of a crime. Tom Robinson was a symbol of innocence who was falsely accused. Atticus’ decision clearly confirms that he is standing up for his

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