Atticus Finch - Character Profile

Atticus

1) What is their role in the text?

In To Kill a Mockingbird, composer Harper Lee uses a number of factors to embody the themes and issues being addressed in the novel. One of these key characters being Atticus, he hold the role of an advocate for justice and moral voice in the text. It is Atticus’ reaction to events in the narrative and his efforts to teach his children good values that convey the composer’s own values relation to the issues of justice, racism and truth that are addressed in the novel.

As a lawyer in Maycomb county Atticus is presented as the model of his profession, defending anyone brought to court so as to uphold his value in his person’s right to a fair trial. As a father to Scout and Jem he teaches them to differentiate between right and wrong, by encouraging them to reflect on what they observe in the racist actions of the people in Maycomb over the course of the narrative. In his conversations with his children Atticus continually makes effort to unveil the truth in every situation, from Tom Robinson’s trial to the treatment of Boo Radley.

Atticus represents the moral conscience of Maycomb, though the society itself is ignoring it. He continually upholds the value of what is good and right in the novel, therefore conveying Harper Lee’s own moral stance in the narrative.

By Sivanjali Karalasingham

2) How, if at all, do they change over the course of the novel?

I don’t think Atticus changes much at all throughout the novel. In the book, he remains morally sound in his thinking and actions and he does this in all the situations that come about to him, from the courthouse to his home. If, at all, there is any change, it is not distinct. Certainly, he is disheartened by the results of Tom Robinson’s trial, but he probably had already expected that to happen and realized that the social development of Maycomb would be a much more of a slower course. I also think that he did not expect a town so absorbed in tradition and racist-thinking to change over the course of just one trial. Atticus is optimistic about human nature almost to the point of naivety and is honest all the time as he only tells what he thinks. He also believes deeply that a man is only as good as his word, and he takes his role as a father very seriously. After reading the book, I believe that Atticus Finch does not change at all. He is the same man in the beginning of the book as he is on the last page. So, as unbelievably good as he is, that’s just the point; he represents moral justice entirely; he doesn’t need to change.

3) How do they reveal the theme of the text?

One of the significant themes portrayed in the novel To Kill a Mocking- Bird is prejudice and justice. The type of prejudice displayed in the text which is revealed by Atticus is social prejudice.

Atticus Finch is a widowed lawyer and the father of Jem and Scout. He has a strong sense of morality and justice thus encouraging it to his children. As Maycomb is a small town where residents consider racism as correct, Atticus is one of the few who is committed to racial equality.

In Maycomb, people would categorise or judge groups of people or families based on their social status, colour, race, or religion. Social prejudice is revealed by both Atticus and Scout, when he agrees to defend Tom Robinson, a black man who is accused of raping a white girl, Scout experiences the prejudice as she receives lines like "My folks said your daddy is a disgrace” and is made fun of simply because she is the daughter of Atticus.

The concept of justice is presented in To Kill a Mockingbird when Atticus acts on his own principles of justice during the court case rather than rely on the legal system. Atticus is a man who epitomises a role model for legal justice and believes that the American justice system has no faults and prejudice; however there are individuals who taint the process of the system. Atticus’ thought on justice and equality is shown when he states that "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."

4) How important are they in the text?

Atticus is the father of two of the most important characters; Jem and Scout. He is the defender of Tom Robinson in his trial for rape. He's a strong character, but he's also willing to stand up for what he believes. He represents an important role model for Scout. He’s also a great role model for Jem, who learns to understand the concepts of lawyering.

Atticus provides support for his family. He teaches Jem and especially Scout to become and grow up to be well mannered, unprejudiced people. He is a man who stands out against everyone else, supporting black people as well white, therefore thinking everyone as equals. Later, Atticus explains to Scout that she must put herself in others' places before judging them, one of the many lessons she learns by making mistakes.

Despite threats like being called a nigga lover and the lynch mob which tried to drive Atticus away from lawyering Robinson, he ignored it all and continued to prove his case. He allows Calpurnia to work in his household despite the colour of her skin which many people in that time wouldn’t. Atticus is well honoured by Calpurnia’s church for his hard work.

Atticus is a very important character in this book.

5) Find 1 quote for 2 questions

"Shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird" - Atticus
"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" – Atticus