Atticus Finch
To Kill a Mockingbird is a bestselling and award winning novel written by Harper Lee. It follows the lives of the Finch family and other citizens in the fictional town of Maycomb in the early 1930’s. The main character is Scout (Jean Louise Finch), who is the daughter of Atticus Finch and the sister of Jem (Jeremy Atticus Finch). At a young age, Scout and Jem lost their mother. This left Atticus to raise the two children with the help from his cook, Calpurnia. However, there are many other unique characters in this novel. Yet, it is evident that none of them measure up to Atticus. Since the novel has been published, Atticus has been admired by many. His wisdom captivates the audience and makes the reader want more and more. Atticus Finch is
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This man believes that everybody is equal. Regardless of their religion, race or sexual orientation. All throughout this novel Atticus strives to teach Jem and Scout this concept of treating everyone as equals and with respect. Multiple derogatory terms are used often to describe other characters as the story goes on, especially because during the time and setting of this book these slurs were found “acceptable”. Atticus does not abide by that, however. “I'm simply defending a Negro - his name’s Tom Robinson” (100). There is so much significance buried in these words, but one thing sticks out. Atticus does not define Tom by his skin colour, he solely mentions it. The number one thing that he focuses on is his name, or to be a bit more clear, who he is: Tom Robinson. Not just a Negro, or a minority, but a human. Atticus sees Tom as an equal, nothing more or less, but an equal to him. Atticus knows Tom is a respectable man, who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
As stated before, it is seen that Atticus Finch is considered the greatest hero of all literature. But why? Because he is open minded and knows that a person should not be judged until you have walked in their shoes. Secondly, he is a logical thinker who teaches Scout that brains beat brawn almost every time. To conclude, he knows that everybody is equal. He continuously reminds Scout and Jem about this throughout the book, hoping they never treat someone wrongly.
This man believes that everybody is equal. Regardless of their religion, race or sexual orientation. All throughout this novel Atticus strives to teach Jem and Scout this concept of treating everyone as equals and with respect. Multiple derogatory terms are used often to describe other characters as the story goes on, especially because during the time and setting of this book these slurs were found “acceptable”. Atticus does not abide by that, however. “I'm simply defending a Negro - his name’s Tom Robinson” (100). There is so much significance buried in these words, but one thing sticks out. Atticus does not define Tom by his skin colour, he solely mentions it. The number one thing that he focuses on is his name, or to be a bit more clear, who he is: Tom Robinson. Not just a Negro, or a minority, but a human. Atticus sees Tom as an equal, nothing more or less, but an equal to him. Atticus knows Tom is a respectable man, who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
As stated before, it is seen that Atticus Finch is considered the greatest hero of all literature. But why? Because he is open minded and knows that a person should not be judged until you have walked in their shoes. Secondly, he is a logical thinker who teaches Scout that brains beat brawn almost every time. To conclude, he knows that everybody is equal. He continuously reminds Scout and Jem about this throughout the book, hoping they never treat someone wrongly.