Preview

What Is Atticus Finch's Character

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
878 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
What Is Atticus Finch's Character
In the book To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee, one of the main characters is Atticus Finch. He is a highly looked upon lawyer in the small town of Maycomb county. He has two children, Jem and Jean Louise Finch. Atticus has a unique way of parenting his kids that some people do not approve of. He often gets criticized on how he raises his kids. Atticus Finch has flaws but, he is a respectable character within the book.
He begins to doubt his parenting as well when he invites Aunt Alexandra to come live with him. “We felt it was time you needed- well, it’s like this, Scout,” Atticus said. “Your Aunt’s doing me a favor as well as you all.” (Lee 171) It is not talked about much in the book, but Atticus does not always seems to be as confident as he is in the courtroom. One of Atticus’ only weaknesses is his confidence in himself. He seems to doubt himself in his parenting the most. Which I believe is because he lost his wife years ago and is unsure if he is raising his children right. Especially in the feminity in Scout. It is uncommon for girls to wear overalls and play rough at this time in the south. Scout is often criticized for how she dress and how she does not act …show more content…
He is never one to brag or even mention his great talents that he has. In the book, Heck Tate even believes that Atticus is a better shot and asks him to kill the mad dog instead of him. This comes to a surprise to Jem and Scout because Atticus had never mentioned shooting anything or if he shot at all. “Jem became vaguely articulate: “'d you see him, Scout? ’d you see him just standin’ there?… ‘n‘ all of a sudden he just relaxed all over, an’ it looked like that gun was a part of him… an‘ he did it so quick, like… I hafta aim for ten minutes ’fore I can hit somethin‘…” (Lee 129) Atticus does not even tell his kids of the talents he has. I believe Atticus does not even realize how well of a lawyer he
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    How Is Atticus Role Model In To Kill A Mockingbird
    • 428 Words
    • 2 Pages

    How Is Atticus Role Model In To Kill A Mockingbird

    In To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus is a distant parent. Atticus teaches his children many things for example, he teaches Scout how to read and write, and teaches both his children important life lessons. Atticus’s parenting style reflects on the type of person he is, he…

    • 428 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Atticus Finch In To Kill A Mockingbird
    • 643 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Atticus Finch In To Kill A Mockingbird

    Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is a book based on family and good relations. Most of the book is founded off of position, physical and mental traits, and racism.One of the main characters of the book was a man named Atticus Finch and he was well known in Maycomb. Atticus was a very influential person in To Kill A Mockingbird and his role and relationships in Maycomb were key points in the story.One of his most important relationships Atticus had would be the relationship he had with his community. The roles of Atticus in To Kill A Mockingbird affected everyone and this is why he was such an influential person in the story.…

    • 643 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    To Kill A Mockingbird Atticus Finch Traits
    • 451 Words
    • 2 Pages

    To Kill A Mockingbird Atticus Finch Traits

    In the book To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch is a lawyer defending a African American man who was falsely accused of rape. The story is set in the South during the Great Depression. Atticus Finch has been very well known for three main traits being bold, being fearful, being able to think outside the box. These traits caused others to be effected by him and his actions. Atticus is considered a good role model by the way he carries himself ,by the way he treats his kids and by the way he treats other people that he encounters.…

    • 451 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Is Atticus Finch Learned In To Kill A Mockingbird
    • 711 Words
    • 3 Pages

    How Is Atticus Finch Learned In To Kill A Mockingbird

    On page 369 and 370 it says, “To my way of thinkin’, Mr. Finch, taking the one man who’s done you and this town a great service an’ draggin’ him with his shy ways into the limelight-to me, that’s a sin. It’s a sin and I’m not about to have it on my head. If it was any other man it’d be different. But not this man, Mr. Finch”... then Scout sways Atticus over , “I ran to him and hugged him and kissed him with all my might. ‘Yes sir, I understand,’ I reassured him, ‘Mr. Tate was right.’ Atticus disengaged himself and looked at me, ‘What do you mean?’ ‘Well, it’d be sort of like shootin’ a mockingbird, wouldn’t it?” Sheriff Tate, a man of justice, makes the moral choice of announcing Bob Ewell’s death an accident instead of choosing the legal choice of putting Arthur Radley on the spot. Heck told Atticus that it would be a sin, then after he leaves, Scout goes up to Atticus hugging him and saying that Heck was right. So it was for this rationale, that after his own daughter convinced him, Atticus had learned that there are some moral decisions we should choose legal ones…

    • 711 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Why Is Atticus Finch Important In To Kill A Mockingbird
    • 655 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Why Is Atticus Finch Important In To Kill A Mockingbird

    the Man, the Lawyer, the Father, Atticus Finch. Lawyers are people who have many traits- people expect them to be cunning, deceiving, and intimidating. In to kill a mockingbird written by Harper Lee there is an exception to this rule. His name is Atticus Finch, a lawyer who constantly shows the type of man he really is. He does not judge people by their skin color, age, or appearance. He takes care of his two kid— Jem and Scout—without a wife. Atticus defends what is right to him and does not get caught in what others think is right. The main traits that Atticus displaces throughout this novel are inelegance, amiability, and kindness, which all help to make him an excellent man. The first trait of Atticus has that should be stated is intelligence. He shows his intelligence throughout the novel. The first example…

    • 655 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Atticus Finch Research Paper
    • 2579 Words
    • 11 Pages

    Atticus Finch Research Paper

    Joe Thomas Mrs. Ferry, pd.7 English 11, 5.0 21 March 2001 Atticus the Approved Parent To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee reflects back to the Great Depression in the South. Scout and Jem Finch are siblings who live with their father Atticus Finch in the fictional town of Maycomb. The actions and words of Atticus 's children reflect his morals and beliefs. Atticus 's personal integrity, good morality, and his reasoning ability make him an exceptionally, effective parent.…

    • 2579 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Who Is Atticus Finch In To Kill A Mockingbird
    • 705 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Who Is Atticus Finch In To Kill A Mockingbird

    Harper Lee portrays Atticus as a scrupulous and superb lawyer, who goes through a troublesome trial. “‘Your father’s no better than the niggers and trash he works for,’” (135) this was said about Atticus by Mrs. Dubose, and this was how many other people felt about the situation as well. He was defending Tom Robinson, who was accused of raping Mayella Ewell. Mr. Finch was known for using agile techniques during his trials to get the information he needed. Despite Tom Robinson being at a disadvantage…

    • 705 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Atticus Finch Character Analysis
    • 485 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Atticus Finch Character Analysis

    “The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience” (Lee 108). There are many admirable characters in To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus Finch is one of these characters that we see. He is very true to who he is and has very good character. He is likely the best character in the entire novel.…

    • 485 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Who Is Atticus Finch
    • 287 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Who Is Atticus Finch

    Atticus Finch, a respected lawyer and the main character's father, is an exceptionally likeable character in the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. He will always stand up for what is right, which is an important factor in his representation of justice.…

    • 287 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    What Is Atticus Finch Courageous
    • 1410 Words
    • 6 Pages

    What Is Atticus Finch Courageous

    Unlike his brother, Atticus is an expert in dealing with little children. His wise and firm opinions and deeds have had great influence on the characters of Jem and Scout as the novel proceeds. Miss Maudie says that “Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets”. He deals with Scout and Jem as if they are adults. For instance, he does not hesitate to answer Scout's question about the meaning of "rape", and he makes deals with his children and is committed to them. At the same time, Atticus understands that Jem and Scout are still children and they are bound to make childish mistakes. He finds excuses for their bad deeds and that makes him more patient with them than his sister Alexandra. For example, he says to her when she criticizes the language Scout uses that "bad language is a stage all children go through, and it dies with time when they learn they're not attracting attention with it." Atticus is eager to teach his children good values and practices through people’s mistakes and poor behaviour and their own mistakes in real life situations rather than by giving them instructions. He does not rebuke or punish Jem and Scout for attending the trial of Robison or for secretly following him to the jail where Robinson was kept. He is always aware of what his children secretly do. For example, he has known that it was Jem at whom Mr. Radely once shot his gun. Yet, he frequently draws their…

    • 1410 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Atticus Finch Classic
    • 797 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Atticus Finch Classic

    Aunt Alexandra tells Jem and Scout they have to act like Finches. Initially, Atticus agrees with her, but says differently while he puts his children to bed, that “I don’t want you to remember it. Forget it.” (178). Atticus doesn’t want himself or his kids to act like the rest of their family. He likes everyone to think for themselves and be their own person. Again, Atticus is genuine when Heck is telling Atticus that Jem did not kill Bob Ewell, but in his shock, Atticus doesn’t believe him and thinks Tate is trying to cover up what Jem did. Atticus tells Mr. Tate that, “I don’t live that way.” (365). Atticus is an honest person, and he always tries to be honest and outright. He doesn’t act different around certain people or in certain social settings. As the Finches’ neighbor Miss Maudie Atkinson says, “Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets.” (61).…

    • 797 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Atticus Finch
    • 780 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Atticus Finch

    The case Atticus is presented with in To Kill A Mockingbird is one that challenges his morals. The county sheriff, Heck Tate, tells Atticus that he has “everything to lose” from taking on the case. Knowing that he and his children will be looked down upon by the majority of the population in Maycomb County, Atticus decides that he will defend Tom Robinson anyway. When asked why by his daughter Scout, he says that if he did not he,” couldn't hold up [his] head in town, [and he] couldn't represent this county in the legislature”. Atticus knows the right thing to do is to defend Tom, so he would be ashamed of himself if he decided not to. Atticus could have easily turned down the case and spared himself and his children the backlash. Atticus' decision to take on Tom's case provided Tom with a defense attorney that would fight for his release.…

    • 780 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Atticus Finch
    • 625 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Atticus Finch

    In the story, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Atticus is one of those `ideal fathers.' Atticus is a single father raising his two children, Scout and Jem, and doing a great job too. Do you ever wish that the 'cool dads from TV' could be your own? In the story, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Atticus is one of those 'ideal fathers.' Atticus is a single father raising his two children, Scout and Jem, and doing a great job too. They also have Calpurnia, the black cook, who is the most mom-like person they've had. Living in Maycomb County, Jem is eldest and Scout is the younger one. Atticus shares a truthful relationship with his kids that will always be treasured. Atticus is such a great parent because he's a man of patience, he understands children, and he teaches them many morals.…

    • 625 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Theme Of Judgement In To Kill A Mockingbird
    • 525 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Theme Of Judgement In To Kill A Mockingbird

    By putting themselves in Boo’s shoes, they realized that because of everything going on, including the case and everyone’s negative outlook on it, he might not want to come out in fear of that negative outlook also applying to him. As Scout grows older she begins to understand more about the people she is around and different things going on around her. After learning that Tom was dead Scout, Aunt Alexandra,and Miss Maudie had to act like they didn’t know anything about it and go on with the ladies of the town. After seeing how Aunt Alexandra reacts, Scout thinks, “ I saw her head go up as she went through the door… after all if aunty can be a lady at a time like this, so can I” (Lee 318). Throughout the book, we get the impression that Aunt Alexandra is just as judgemental as everyone else. Here we learn when Scout uses Atticus’s advice, that all along she was just worried about Atticus. After learning this information about Tom Robinson, she was upset just like Atticus and Miss Maudie, and by putting herself in Aunt Alexandra’s shoes, Scout realizes there was a reason for everything she…

    • 525 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Theme Of Loss In To Kill A Mockingbird
    • 740 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Theme Of Loss In To Kill A Mockingbird

    Atticus no special from any other father, but in the way in teaching his children significant lessons in life is where he is similar to no other. He teaches scout that "If you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks." Scout shows she learns from her father from this when she distracts Mr. Cunningham and the lynch mob from getting Tom by talking about his son Walter and trading. Not only did she save her life but her fathers and Toms as well. When everyone was talking about Atticus being a nigger lover, he explained to his children to cope with it, how to deal with it and understand it. As well as helping with social skills, he also teaches her racism and the lessons of…

    • 740 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics