While everyone wants to possess moral qualities, not everyone can understand the importance of these attributes. People often try to emulate the behavior of others. Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird depicts Atticus as a single father, living in Maycomb, Alabama with his two sons, Scout and Jem. His children, who are young at the time, struggle to stay occupied over the years. Atticus, a legal professional, finds himself caught up in a case involving Tom Robinson, a black, and Jem, a white woman. Scout and Jem follow Atticus as he responds to the changes brought about by the case in their small village. The children are inspired to emulate his actions. Atticus, the static character in To Kill a Mockingbird’s story, is understanding, fair, and honest.
If they don’t understand others, then it is impossible to call yourself a noble person. Atticus, a character that proves to be noble throughout the story is one many people respect. Scout and Jem can better understand the changes occurring in the community because Atticus is a noble character. Lee 30. “You can’t really understand someone unless you look at things from his perspective.” Scout receives this advice from Atticus after a bad first day at school. Scout doesn’t like her new teacher so she refuses to return. Atticus, calm, collected and composed, tells Scout her teacher might not have had a very good first day. Scout should think like Miss Caroline before taking any unwise decisions. Atticus realizes that it can be easier to focus on one side of a story when you are in such situations. However, he decides to consider the entire picture. Atticus is able to look at all sides of situations, and see how smart he really can be. Atticus is also able to discern when a dog runs amok in the neighborhood. “Mr. Tate nearly threw the gun at Atticus” Lee 95 Atticus is about to shoot the rifle when Mr. Tate approaches. Atticus refuses to kill the dog, but instead of being resentful, he takes his pride in the matter and kills the animal for his friends and family. Atticus recognizes that he is protecting everyone by killing the dog. Atticus displays all of these characteristics, particularly during Tom Robinson’s trial. “But there is only one way in the country where all men are created equally… That institution, gentlemen?'” Lee 205. Atticus reminds his court about the Judicial System and how it works. All men, no matter their intelligence, intellect, fame, or race, have the right of fair trial. Atticus recognizes the limitations of the court. All he asks is for Tom Robinson to be afforded a fair trial. An impartial trial is the only way to reach an accurate conclusion. Atticus is fair when he tells the jury why Mayella is telling it the way she does. Lee 203: “She has not committed any crime. She has only broken a time-honored code in our society. A code so severe that anyone who breaks it is expelled from our midst. Atticus perceives Mayella through Mayellas facade and sees the truth behind her ways. He believes her father beaten her, which is why she accuses Tom. Atticus doesn’t believe it fair to punish Mayella, even though he knows this. She was just doing what she needed to save her life. Mayella is not a victim. Atticus believes it is unfair to censure Mayella for this. Atticus demonstrates that he is just as in To Kill a Mockingbird.
Atticus’ honesty is what keeps the rest of the characters grounded in reality. “…Why didn’t Atticus just tell Tom yes, you can go free? It seems like that would have been a huge comfort to Tom.” Lee 254. Atticus must protect his client as a lawyer. But he must also be open with him. Miss Rachel didn’t get why Atticus told Tom they would lose Tom’s case. Atticus wanted to be honest with him, but he was unwilling to make a promise he couldn’t keep. Atticus was Tom’s only true friend. Atticus could not keep a promise to him, and it would break their trust. Lee 235. “I told Atticus what I thought, but it wasn’t true that I could say that we had more then a good chance.” Atticus is sincere with Tom Robinson, and doesn’t sugarcoat any of his clients’ needs. He realizes that lies can only make it worse in stressful situations. Insanity would result if there was no view of the truth. Atticus is a sincere man who inspires trust in others and respects them in To Kill a Mockingbird.
Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird features Atticus as a key character. He helps readers see the world through open eyes. Atticus helps children to be more compassionate about the world around them. He doesn’t see anything wrong if it doesn’t exist. His honesty and sincerity allow readers to trust him. Man must be decent, even when people criticize them. AtticusFinch proves that even lawyers can be decent and upright people.
