Atticus Finch: A Quintessential Father Figure A father figure is an essential part of the good parenting and the development of children into young adulthood. These men serve an important parental role, as seen in stories such as, Mr. Bennet in Pride and Prejudice, Prospero in The Tempest, and Atticus Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Atticus is a prime example of a great role model, while thoroughly representing good parenting skills. He teaches the children vital life lessons, makes them take responsibility for their actions, and teaches them about the importance of facing adversity head on. Throughout the story, Atticus teaches the children indispensable life lessons. These lessons will eventually help them out later in the story. One outstanding example of an experience that leads to a lesson is when Walter Cunningham comes over for dinner and Scout does not understand why he douses his dinner in molasses. She first asks what he is doing and then Calpurnia pulls her in the kitchen. Later when Atticus is discussing …show more content…
Involving the Tom Robinson trial, Atticus knows the odds are completely stacked against him. Even though he knows he will not win the trial, he puts all his effort and time into it. While speaking of courage and adversity, Atticus says, “It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see through it no matter what. You rarely win but sometimes you do” (Lee 112). Atticus’ meaning behind this is even though an extreme amount of adversity and misfortunes are ahead, he does not give up. This hardship for him is the Tom Robinson. Atticus uses an innuendo to explain to the children why he is taking this case. He teaches the children to power through tough and challenging scenarios, even though they know they are going to lose. Through his actions and speech, he gives the children a valuable lesson on the importance of facing
Atticus’s relationship with his family is highly altered, after news spreads about Atticus defending Tom Robinson. The case comes in between the family at a Christmas dinner when Francis tells Scout that Atticus is a “nigger-lover” (83). Atticus is following
By agreeing to take Tom Robinson’s case, Atticus shows that he is willing to risk his and his family’s reputation in order to prevent an innocent person from receiving a punishment for a crime that he didn’t commit. Atticus Finch fights his battles psychologically unlike Odysseus from The Odyssey by Homer, who likes to fight with his
The Introduction Good afternoon, my name is Noah Oberfeld, and it’s my honor and privilege to represent The State of Maycomb and be the prosecutor for this case. On Aug 26, 1936, the defendant Atticus Finch failed to defend Tom Robinson because of his dereliction of duty. At the end of this case, and after you have heard the evidence, we are sure you will determine that Atticus Finch is guilty of his charge. The Theme and Theory
After Atticus decides to take a controversial case for Tom Robinson, and African American man accused of raping a young woman, he is confronted by a mob outside the county jail. Jem, Dill, and Scout watch from the side as the mob threatens both Atticus and Tom Robinson. The next morning, Jem worriedly asks if the men would have actually hurt Atticus. Not wanting to scare his son, but also not wanting to lie to him, Atticus concedes that, “’He may have hurt me a little’” (157).
The mere fact that Atticus accepted and fought in the court case was an act of courage. He says that real courage is “when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see through it no matter what”(Lee 149). He mentions that just because he is “licked a hundred years before” he started doesn’t mean he cannot win (Lee 101). The fact that he said this shows courage because he knows he is going to lose the case, but that does not tarnish his will to press on until he can no more and save Tom Robinson’s life. During the time period, black people were not equally treated.
Atticus explains to Scout why he took the court case in Tom’s favor, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view” (Lee 30). This explanation opens the reader’s eyes to see that, in a situation, instead of acting right away, Atticus thinks about the other person’s point of view and tries to see the world through their eyes for a moment. This again supports the theme of courage as it suggests that Atticus always tries to use his wisdom to prevent a situation instead of getting physical to solve his
He tells them to not fight with their fist, yet rather with their head. When Jem ruined Mrs. Dudose flowers, he made Jem go back and apologize. Scout didn’t want to attend school because her teacher didn’t want her to read, Atticus comprised with scout to
One occasion was when Scout was beating up Walter Cunningham and Jem stood up for Walter. On another occasion, when people from their hometown were badmouthing and criticizing Atticus, Jem bravely reminded Atticus to have courage
By dictionary definition a hero is a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievement, or noble qualities. Even though Atticus Finch may not exuberate outstanding achievements or show off his courage, he still has noble qualities that make him a hero. Atticus Finch is no common hero, he does not save cats from trees or stop bank robberies, instead he tries to stop racial prejudices and attempts to change the views of the people in the town of Maycomb, Alabama. In the story of To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus is assigned a case that will change his life and others’ lives forever. He is to defend Tom Robinson, who is a black man that has been accused of raping a white girl.
In further understanding, he used his head to have respect and tolerance for others which his children learned as they grew up. Additionally, Atticus uses his knowledge from life experiences to teach Jem and Scout how to equally treat and understand
Every day in our lives, heroes are all around us. They may not be what society tells us is a hero, like Superman or Batman. They do not wear fancy costumes or have super powers. But these heroes change the lives of the people around them, for the better. Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird is the charismatic, understanding father of Scout and Jem Finch as well as a hard working lawyer in Maycomb County, Alabama.
Without each of these traits a dad is not good at being a father. In the story “ To Kill A Mockingbird” Atticus Finch is a very good father. Atticus is willing to explain everything to Jem and Scout. Mr. Finch always expects good behavior out of Jem and Scout. Atticus also provides everything for his family.
Atticus made a connection and compared himself to the Confederate forces. They both knew they were “licked” before they started, but still fought with everything they had. Atticus knows very well that he has no chance of winning this trial. Even though he is aware of the soon loss, it does mean that Atticus is going to try his very best to fight for Tom. During his closing argument in Tom’s defense, Atiticus challenges the judge and the jury to forget about the social prejudice at the time.
As Atticus is talking to Scout, he remarks that “every lawyer gets at least one case in his lifetime that affects him personally. This one’s mine, I guess” (Lee 101). Atticus knows that accepting the opportunity to defend Tom Robinson in court is dangerous because it will put him and his family in an unforgiving situation. Furthermore, Atticus expresses courage when he frequently states, “it's not time to worry yet” (Lee 139).
As a father Atticus has done everything he can to maintain his children, Jem and Scout, informed of what really is like out there in the real world. Honesty seems to be Atticus rout when dealing with life. In times Atticus will lose trial but the courage he has won’t allow him to give up on innocent people, like Tom. Atticus is the definition of role model to follow. He’s a great father to his children showing the the truth will always push them forwards in life.