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Atticus Essay
Maxine Vargas
To Kill a Mockingbird Essay Topic: Although criticized openly, Atticus is respected throughout the town of Maycomb.
Explain this paradox. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus is constantly criticised for defending a black man but yet the people of Maycomb still respect him. Atticus is well respected in the town of
Maycomb, but he still gets criticised because he is decision to defend a black man. The people of Maycomb respect him because of his courage, he stood up for what was right and because he is a dignified man, that respects everyone else. The people of Maycomb have a wide respect for Atticus, partially because he is very courageous. Atticus had the courage to defend a black man even though he would get a lot of hatred for it. Atticus made the decision to defend a black man, in those times, if you associate yourself with black people socially, you were considered a trader and a
“nigger­lover.” Those terms weren't necessarily the words you want to be associated with. So, Atticus had a lot of courage for defending a black man, Atticus was well aware that he would get called a lot of horrible things. Atticus was also very courageous when he shot the rabid dog, everyone was shocked because Atticus wasn’t typically known for doing courageous things. But the truth is Atticus was probably the most courageous person in the entire story. Atticus quotes “Courage is when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.” which basically means that you know you're going to lose but you try anyways. This quote really relates to how Atticus knew he was going to lose the Tom Robinson trial but courage still made him put his all in defending him. Secondly, Atticus was widely respected throughout the town of Maycomb because he stood up for what was right. Atticus decided to defend a black man, even though he knew he probably wouldn't win the case, Atticus stood up for what was

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