To Kill a Mockingbird-Atticus' Influences
Bruce Cockburn, a well known Canadian jazz and folk artist, sang in “Lovers in a
Dangerous Time” that one should “Keep kicking at the darkness ‘till it bleeds daylight”. This
statement vividly outlines the determination needed to preserver through a tough situation and
come out on the upside. When faced with a challenge that seems unbearable, one must remember
that this effort will eventually turn into an accomplishment that they can be proud of. In Harper
Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, the importance of Atticus Finch’s character is to influence the way
the community and his children view racism. Atticus tries to change his children’s opinions and
actions throughout the story by leading by example and discussing and explaining equal rights
and prejudice with them. Likewise, he shows the black community that trust and goodness can
be found in a white man, by defending Tom Robinson to his utmost ability at the trial. Finally,
Atticus begins, through his many efforts and failures, to change some of the white community’s
mind about how they view racism and treat others. Atticus’ actions throughout the novel,
standing up for black rights, and the fight against racism throughout the Trial, is a step towards
trying to change people’s views on equality, and more largely, reinforces his influential role and
effect in breaking down racial barriers in the community.
Atticus has two children, Jem and Scout, they are immersed in racism and hatred
towards others from a young age. Atticus tries to show his children through example and
explanations that they should not get involved with discrimination because it is evil and
unfair. To begin with, through various attempts to make Boo(Arthur) Radley come out, the kids
prove to be discriminating, even though it seems innocent. Atticus catches them and helps them
realize how wrong what they are doing actually is. Atticus and Jem argued about what they were
doing to Arthur:
Jem, Scout and
Dangerous Time” that one should “Keep kicking at the darkness ‘till it bleeds daylight”. This
statement vividly outlines the determination needed to preserver through a tough situation and
come out on the upside. When faced with a challenge that seems unbearable, one must remember
that this effort will eventually turn into an accomplishment that they can be proud of. In Harper
Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, the importance of Atticus Finch’s character is to influence the way
the community and his children view racism. Atticus tries to change his children’s opinions and
actions throughout the story by leading by example and discussing and explaining equal rights
and prejudice with them. Likewise, he shows the black community that trust and goodness can
be found in a white man, by defending Tom Robinson to his utmost ability at the trial. Finally,
Atticus begins, through his many efforts and failures, to change some of the white community’s
mind about how they view racism and treat others. Atticus’ actions throughout the novel,
standing up for black rights, and the fight against racism throughout the Trial, is a step towards
trying to change people’s views on equality, and more largely, reinforces his influential role and
effect in breaking down racial barriers in the community.
Atticus has two children, Jem and Scout, they are immersed in racism and hatred
towards others from a young age. Atticus tries to show his children through example and
explanations that they should not get involved with discrimination because it is evil and
unfair. To begin with, through various attempts to make Boo(Arthur) Radley come out, the kids
prove to be discriminating, even though it seems innocent. Atticus catches them and helps them
realize how wrong what they are doing actually is. Atticus and Jem argued about what they were
doing to Arthur:
Jem, Scout and