People are often irresponsible, intolerant, and quick to judge. Atticus Finch is the complete opposite of such person as seen in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. To Kill a Mockingbird is the fictional story about a young girl named Scout. It is the narrative of a girl being shaped and realizing that not everyone sees things as she does. Throughout the novel, with Atticus’ help, Scout matures in understanding that people and things are not what they seem. As revealed in the novel, Atticus is responsible, tolerant, and non judgemental.
Atticus Finch is a single father raising two children and juggling his law work. He is responsible for shaping them into the best that they can possibly be. He is aware that they are living in the age of prejudice and discrimination, and he wants to teach them what he believes is right. He wants Jem and Scout to understand that it’s the actual story that matters, not the fictional one. That it’s the truth that matters, not a lie. That it’s receiving a fair and honest trial that matters, not something completely biased. Its getting down to the bottom of the story and attaining true justice that matters. In the novel, it is stated that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird because, “...they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us” (Lee 119). If it is a sin to kill an innocent animal that does only what it has been taught, then why would it not be a sin to kill an innocent man that has worked hard his entire life? Another example of him being responsible is when he helps Jem and Scout understand how the real world works by explaining that not everyone had as much money as they did, even though they were also poor. Teaching them important life lessons is his responsibility as of now, since he will not always be around to take care of them. Atticus is a very tolerant and fair man. He understands that everyone has different problems of their own. An example of his tolerance is when he greets Mrs. Dubose just like everyone else, even though she is always insulting his children, as well as himself. He comes to terms with her actions because he understands that it’s not her fault. He is always trying to get his children to understand different things that happen to everyday people. Atticus wanted Jem and Scout to know what real courage was, stating that it's, “...when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway [just to finish what you started]” (149). He does not show hatred towards her although it is all she has shown him, because he understands that she is already traveling down a rough path. Atticus refuses to make it harder for her than it already is. Another example of Atticus being tolerant and fair is him defending someone who the entire town is against. He deals with all of the people upset with him in a professional manner. All the people accusing an innocent man is what gives Atticus the drive to help make the trial as fair as it could possibly be, even though the odds were not in his favor. He understands that the trial outcome does not look good since Tom Robinson is a black man being accused of raping a white woman. Atticus knows that the color of Robinson’s skin should not matter, the truth should. He wants a fair trial, not a biased one. Atticus Finch is a very non judgmental person. He understands that not everyone is as wealthy or well-mannered as his family. He teaches Jem and Scout to understand this as well. He even uses the Cunningham’s as an example of this whilst teaching …show more content…
A single parent that is aiming to teach Jem and Scout all the life lessons that he can while he is around. Understanding that not one person on Earth is the same, but they should all be treated equally. Realizing that helping someone judged by all, will help see things from their view. Hopefully in the future, more people will understand that they need these same qualities that Atticus possesses. These might be the key to help end a lot of obstacles in our
Atticus Finch is a single father raising two children and juggling his law work. He is responsible for shaping them into the best that they can possibly be. He is aware that they are living in the age of prejudice and discrimination, and he wants to teach them what he believes is right. He wants Jem and Scout to understand that it’s the actual story that matters, not the fictional one. That it’s the truth that matters, not a lie. That it’s receiving a fair and honest trial that matters, not something completely biased. Its getting down to the bottom of the story and attaining true justice that matters. In the novel, it is stated that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird because, “...they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us” (Lee 119). If it is a sin to kill an innocent animal that does only what it has been taught, then why would it not be a sin to kill an innocent man that has worked hard his entire life? Another example of him being responsible is when he helps Jem and Scout understand how the real world works by explaining that not everyone had as much money as they did, even though they were also poor. Teaching them important life lessons is his responsibility as of now, since he will not always be around to take care of them. Atticus is a very tolerant and fair man. He understands that everyone has different problems of their own. An example of his tolerance is when he greets Mrs. Dubose just like everyone else, even though she is always insulting his children, as well as himself. He comes to terms with her actions because he understands that it’s not her fault. He is always trying to get his children to understand different things that happen to everyday people. Atticus wanted Jem and Scout to know what real courage was, stating that it's, “...when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway [just to finish what you started]” (149). He does not show hatred towards her although it is all she has shown him, because he understands that she is already traveling down a rough path. Atticus refuses to make it harder for her than it already is. Another example of Atticus being tolerant and fair is him defending someone who the entire town is against. He deals with all of the people upset with him in a professional manner. All the people accusing an innocent man is what gives Atticus the drive to help make the trial as fair as it could possibly be, even though the odds were not in his favor. He understands that the trial outcome does not look good since Tom Robinson is a black man being accused of raping a white woman. Atticus knows that the color of Robinson’s skin should not matter, the truth should. He wants a fair trial, not a biased one. Atticus Finch is a very non judgmental person. He understands that not everyone is as wealthy or well-mannered as his family. He teaches Jem and Scout to understand this as well. He even uses the Cunningham’s as an example of this whilst teaching …show more content…
A single parent that is aiming to teach Jem and Scout all the life lessons that he can while he is around. Understanding that not one person on Earth is the same, but they should all be treated equally. Realizing that helping someone judged by all, will help see things from their view. Hopefully in the future, more people will understand that they need these same qualities that Atticus possesses. These might be the key to help end a lot of obstacles in our