Preview

Atticus Finch Research Paper

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
876 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Atticus Finch Research Paper
In what ways do Atticus Finch and Robert Ewell differ and what do they have in common?

Atticus Finch and Robert Ewell are two very different characters, but are similar in some ways. They both live in Maycomb, Alabama, but are respected differently in their communities as Atticus is seen as a brave and courageous man, while Robert Ewell is seen as a drunken coward. Atticus ‘lives on the main residential street in town’, and Robert Ewell lives in ‘what was once a negro cabin’, but it is falling apart. ‘The cabin’s plank walls were supplemented with sheets of corrugated iron, its roof shingled with tin cans hammered flat, so only its general shape suggested its original design: square, with four tiny rooms opening on to a shotgun
…show more content…
He gets called many names such as ‘nigger-lover’, and his children also get a hard time at school, but Atticus continues to defend Tom and ignores the rude remarks and names. By doing so, he still gets basic respect from the people of Maycomb, and still presents himself in a courteous manner. In the trials, he is fair to every person he defends, and always tries his best to make the jury believe that they are not guilty. He also abides by the law, making sure his children attend school; he’s not racist and wanting Jem to speak about the incident where Robert Ewell is murdered, in court. Meanwhile, Robert Ewell is a law breaker, and gets away with it. He lets his children truant from school, and goes out hunting, even though it is illegal in Maycomb. He lies a lot too, like in court he makes up which side Mayella was beat up on, and denies doing it himself. His language in the courtroom is also very bad, as he uses slang and behaves in an uncourteous manner, and his appearance is scruffy, and he doesn’t make an effort to be smart. On the other hand, Atticus looks smart and speaks properly, making sure what he says is true and says it in a clever way, so it means one thing, but implies something else. This is how he proves Tom Robinsons innocence to the spectators, even though the jury think he’s

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    are related which is one similarity that they share. Also, they both have kids so Atticus and Alexandra…

    • 286 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Understanding characters take more than just reading about them. Making connection to real life situations can enhance people’s perceptions. A character as complex as Atticus Finch from “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee deserves just that. If Atticus Finch were an educational institute, he would be Harvard University because they, are critical thinkers in law, obtain many years of wisdom and are respected by the people around them.…

    • 962 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The reason Atticus said ¨It is a sin to kill a Mockingbird¨ is because the mockingbirds do not do anything to us but sing. Atticus is also comparing people to being a mockingbird. Just like Boo Radley because it is not his fault he is a recluse, he leaves the house just to save Scout and Jem from Bob Ewell, therefore risking become the town hero. What Atticus is trying to say is that to not judge people by what they look like. Have standards and stick to them no matter what happens to them. He says it is not a sin to kill a bluejay, because bluejays represent bullies, racism, and the anger in everyone. Some of the examples for the bluejays are Bob Ewell, and the mad dog that Atticus attacks. When someone kills a bluejay it represents stopping…

    • 150 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    149). Atticus uses his intelligence throughout this novel his intelligence throughout this novel. The second trait that Atticus displays in this novel is admiralty. One of the many times that Atticus shows that he is amiable in To Kill a Mocking Bird is when he thought that Jem killed Bob Ewell-- the mean racist town drunk who has a grudge against Atticus because he defended Tom Robertson against the rape charges that he was facing —he did not try to hide it or cover it up. Another reason why Atticus is an easterly admirable person is the fact that he is the same in his house as he is in public. Ms. Maudie said “’Gracious child I was raveling a thread wasn’t even thinking about your father, but know that I am, I’ll say this: Atticus Finch is the same in his home as he is on public streets”’ (Lee. 61) the amiability that Atticus has shown throughout this novel only goes to show people what a wonderful man he…

    • 655 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Atticus Finch Research Paper

    • 2579 Words
    • 11 Pages

    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
  • Better Essays

    As of today, we still have problem with prejudice and racism towards blacks. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a novel illustrating the struggles of a racist town in Alabama. Characters are at a struggle to comprehend the way people act. Knowing this, they have to learn what is right and act accordingly. Throughout Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, characters discover and begin to emphasize each other’s lives in large portions and in doing so, many characters develop and mature to understand the world they live in.…

    • 1086 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    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
  • Good Essays

    A little too trusting. During the Tom Robinson case, Bob Ewell was hateful and would threaten Atticus and his children. Shortly after the trial “Mr. Bob Ewell stopped Atticus on the post office corner, spat in his face, and told him he'd get him if it took the rest of his life" (290). Being the gentleman he is, Atticus still respected Bob Ewell and did not think anything of his taunting. Not doing anything is exactly what got Atticus into more disaster. Because Atticus sat back and let Bob do his thing, Atticus’ children were harmed. On an October night Bob Ewell tried to hurt Atticus Finch emotionally by harming his children physically. “Somehow, I could think of nothing but Mr. Bob Ewell saying he’d get Atticus if it took him the rest of his life. Mr. Ewell almost got him, and it was the last thing he did” (358). Being respectful has gotten Atticus Finch very far in his life, but it is also what got him into trouble. Because Atticus deeply respected Bob Ewell, he did not believe Mr. Ewell would go as far as harming his children out of…

    • 667 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Atticus Finch lived in a time in Southern Alabama when a system of segregation and bitter racism was enforced by law kept African Americans from achieving equality or improving themselves. White people were told that they were above black people. Atticus had no such prejudice which was unrealistic for this time. Atticus is a lawyer in Maycomb, a typical southern town where racial discrimination is the normal behaviour. "Blacks" went to different churches, there was segregated seating in the courts, where all men are meant to be equal and in every aspect of their lives they were treated as inferiors.…

    • 1073 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Atticus Finch's Life

    • 611 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The novel To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee has a naive view of life in the South of America in the 1930’s. The book is written through the eyes of Jem and Scout Finch. Scout is a young girl that is growing up around her father’s case. Her father, Atticus Finch, is a lawyer who is defending a black man, Tom Robinson, who is fighting the charge of raping a white lady. The lives of the characters are changed from the effects of racism in the book To Kill a Mockingbird.…

    • 611 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    “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
  • Good Essays

    Atticus Finch Empathy

    • 814 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird takes place in rural south Alabama in a town called Maycomb during the Great Depression, in a time when many Southerners both accepted and expected discrimination toward minorities. Atticus Finch, a widowed father of two, trying to raise his children well, teaches them to see things from another’s perspective. Lee incorporates the crucial quality of empathy in the feelings of the characters and expresses the empathetic theme with the influence of racism and prejudice in Maycomb society within the main characters Scout, Jem, and Atticus.…

    • 814 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    "To Kill A MockingBird''

    • 681 Words
    • 3 Pages

    “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” (Lee). In the Maycomb County there is a lot of whites, blacks and even some mixed. There are some that are wealthy and some that are not. Some get along and others do not. Even in a small town, they all live so differently. Throughout Harper lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, hypocrisy, injustice and evil is envisioned in an adult society. Miss Gates and Lula contradict themselves. Atticus is harassed, Tom Robinson gets accused for a crime he did not commit. Bob Ewell tries to kill Scout and Jem and Maycomb is loaded with rumours of Boo Radley,…

    • 681 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Atticus Finch Hero Essay

    • 622 Words
    • 3 Pages

    A hero encompasses many qualities, not just bravery or strength, but more importantly, the ability to inspire others. To Kill A Mockingbird, by Nelle Harper Lee, explores themes such as racism, innocence, and the morality of youth in Southern America in the 1930s. Topping the list of the American Film Institute’s 100 years...100 Heroes and Villains is a main character of the story, Atticus Finch. The American Film Institute defines a hero as “a character who prevails in extreme circumstances and dramatizes a strong sense of morality, courage, and purpose. Though they may be ambiguous or flawed, they often sacrifice themselves to show humanity at its best”(American Film Institute para.…

    • 622 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Atticus Finch is looked up to by his family and his friends who "trust him to do right". He sets a level of morality that no other character in the book comes close to matching. Everything he does and says is governed by reason. Once Atticus decides that a path of action is right, he perseveres and grasps the goal regardless of threats or criticisms. But Atticus does not look go looking for this. In fact another quality of…

    • 2765 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays

Related Topics