...who took a stand when no one else would. The book takes place in the 1930s and is about an integrative lawyer named Atticus Finch and his two children Scout and Jem who face difficulties when Atticus has to take a case for a colored man. Many people are upset when Atticus actually defends him because most lawyers would not try to defend a black person due to race. By taking this case, Atticus potentially puts his family in danger because of a careless man named Bob Ewell who is out to get Atticus and his family because he thinks the colored man, Tom Robinson, raped his daughter Mayella. Even though Atticus knows he won’t win this case, he still tries, and that shows how he has integrity. This is how it makes...
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...To begin with, I am going to be characterizing Atticus. One reason he is an understanding person is because he puts himself in other people's shoes. Atticus tries to understand why the Radley’s are so shy and quiet. He does not comment on how they do not ever come out, he thinks that if they want to come out they will come out. The Radley’s have never bothered Atticus, so he does not bother them. When he thinks about the Radley’s he tries to understand their point of view, maybe they do not want to come out because of the rumors people have created about them. During the process of this court case Atticus is getting a better understanding of how the Radley’s feel. He is starting to understand how it feels to be judged by the townspeople, and...
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...Imagine enduring a situation in which you have the choice of acting for the greater good or choosing to do what’s best for you. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch, a lawyer defending a black man, has been given a choice to either not defend Tom or defend him. This case shows that standing up for the greater good might not be so good as it has so many negatives for Atticus and for the people that he loves. Some people may argue that defending him was worth it because he would be respected by the black community and they would help him out, but accepting the case can lead to so many hardships for Atticus that the African American people can’t help him with as they don’t get a say for most things. Atticus defending Tom Robinson is not worth it because of...
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...What makes a “good” parent? Is it the lessons they teach, or the way they teach them? Atticus, the father of Jem and Scout in the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, not only teaches his children several lessons, but also serves as a role model. He is an exemplary parent. When he takes on a case that he knows will greatly affect his family’s lives, he uses the opportunity to teach his children several life lessons, just as he has done with every hardship that came upon them before he takes the case. Firstly, Atticus teaches his children to have courage. Secondly, he teaches them to treat everyone with respect. Lastly, he teaches his children to be tolerant of others. While the way he teaches those lessons may be unusual, the outcome...
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...grow up in Maycomb Alabama in the 1930s. Atticus Finch is a defense lawyer who is doing his best to raise his two children, Jem and Scout, after his wife dies. The children live in a household where there is a black woman in the kitchen and no discrimination is allowed. This is because Maycomb succeeded from the union during the civil war times and is now full of racist whites. Most of the townspeople are upset with Atticus for defending a black man in court who is accused of raping a white woman, besides the black community, his children, and others who support his decision. Throughout the story Atticus uses the trial to his advantage by teaching his children life lessons and giving them advice. Scout, Atticus’ youngest child and only daughter, is often unsure of why people act a certain way, change, or why something happens. The most important piece of advice Atticus gives to Scout is to put herself in other peoples shoes, which she does with Ms. Caroline, the angry mob, and Boo Radley. Scout tries to make sense of things when her father explains to puts herself in Ms. Caroline’s shoes. After Scout’s first day of school her teacher, Ms. Caroline, embarrasses her in front of the whole classroom when all she is trying to do was help a classmate. It starts when Walter Cunningham does not have a lunch because he “forgets it” so Ms. Caroline offers him a quarter so that he can go eat down town. After Walter does not take the money Scout stands up for him by saying to Ms. Caroline “you’ll...
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...way by having Atticus tell Jem, I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do. (Lee 112) She also agrees with this definition by demonstrating courage in these ways throughout the novel. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the three characters that demonstrate outstanding courage are Boo Radley, Mrs. Dubose, and Atticus. Boo Radley demonstrates noteworthy courage by making himself vulnerable to save Scout and Jem from Mr. Ewell’s attack. He makes himself physically vulnerable since he could have also been attacked, but exposes himself to save the children. He does not want to be seen or known, but briefly overcomes that fear when he hears the cries of trouble. This makes him feel emotionally vulnerable. He also indicates his courageousness by staying in the Finch house after the attack. He feels insecure around people but stays to ensure Jem’s safety. Finally, Boo expresses courage by admitting he was uncomfortable...
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...When you hear the word ‘Hero’ what do you think of? If you look it up it will tell you that a hero is a person who has special achievements, abilities, or personal qualities and is regarded as a role model or a person noted for courageous acts of nobility. A hero is someone who puts others before him/herself. In To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch is known for many qualities he displays during the novel, as well as various achievements. Atticus Finch is more of a “non-traditional” hero. He defended a black man during a time when black people were considered “less” than white people. He proved his intellect, and was very conscientious. Atticus said to his children, "I'm simply defending a Negros name’s Tom Robinson," (Lee,75)....
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...through unexpected situations. In the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee Atticus uses Mrs. Dubose as a role model displaying courage. Mrs. Dubose is introduced to us in the book as “plain hell”, which is a seemingly perfect description of the cold lady. But the kids’ prejudices of her got in the way of realizing that she had her own battles too. A morphine addiction is what she faced, and much of the behavior she was exhibiting was a result of the deadly chemical she was putting into her body. Atticus teaches the kids to be more empathetic towards her. This is similar to how he wants the kids to understand Tom Robinson and give him a chance. Just because he is black does not mean that the kids...
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...Why was prejudice invented? Arguably the most ghastly side of human nature, the act of ostracizing and relentlessly condemning social or physical deviation is the cause of so much strife. And yet, it has endured since the beginning of written history. Wherever or whenever someone differs from the norm too much, people have a tendency to move in like a pack of hyenas. What is it that causes people to act this way? Is it insecurity? Is it fear? Whatever prejudice is at its core, it makes people lose control. They give up individual thought to be part of the group. Maybe they feel safer. But there is one thing that causes this mob mentality to fall apart: empathy. If someone puts themselves in another person’s shoes, looks through their eyes,...
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...To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus teaches his children to have good values, proving that he is a great parent. Atticus’ children learn to be accepting of everyone and the values of integrity, independence, and open-mindedness. By doing this, it helps his children be more prepared for the real world. Atticus is able to help his children become better than what their society thinks is “acceptable”, ultimately teaching his kids to be non-judgemental. Atticus taught his children how to be more open to the diversity in society through his interactions with the people in the neighborhood. Scout continuously questions Atticus on why he would take the case because of the hatred coming from the town, but he believes that “...if (he) didn’t (he) couldn’t hold up (his) head in town, (he) couldn’t represent this county in the legislature, (he) couldn’t even tell (Scout) or Jem not to do something again” (Lee 100). Atticus taught his children to not judge by taking the Tom Robinson case of a black male who is accused of raping a white...
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...Atticus had once said that “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win,” (Ch 9, pg 76). In the novel To Kill A Mocking Bird by Harper Lee Tom Robinson (a black man) was accused of raping Mayella (a white girl) in Maycomb County Alabama during the Great Depression. Atticus ( a white lawyer) was chosen to defend this black man in court. Many people supported this decision and many were against it due to the time period where Whites believed that they were better than the Blacks. The benefits of Atticus taking a stand did outweigh the consequences. One reason why it was worth it for Atticus to defend Tom Robinson is to set a good example for his children. It is ideal that Atticus...
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...Maycomb, which provides some insight on Scout's feelings about Maycomb. In addition, the narrator provides the setting for the story and sets the mood for a quiet and somewhat dull town, which sets the stage for the conflict of Tom's trial. Chapter 2 Quotation "'Your father does not know how to teach. You can have a seat now.' I mumbled that I was sorry and retired meditating upon my crime." Page 17 Analysis Scout's first grade teacher makes her feel bad about being able to read, when she should feel proud that she can read and write at such a young age. Scout even apologizes and referred to her ability as a crime. This exchange demonstrates how many people in Maycomb are very small minded in their views. Chapter 3 Quotation "'First of all,' he said, 'If you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view-' 'Sir?' '-until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.'" Page 30 Analysis This passage exemplifies the special bond between Atticus and his daughter, Scout. Throughout the novel, Scout learns more from her father than anyone else. Atticus teaches Scout important things...
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...story can be perceived as “mockingbirds” due to their acts of kindness and nonviolence. The three characters who symbolize the mockingbird are Atticus Finch, Boo Radley, and Tom Robinson because they are all innocent men who are discriminated against and punished for doing what is right. Tom Robinson was an innocent man who faced prejudice because he was African American. Tom displayed many respectable traits. He provided free help to his white neighbor, despite the fact he had only one arm. When asked why he did these selfless acts, Tom responded: " I felt right sorry for her, she seemed to try more'n the rest of 'em-" (264). Later, Tom was accused of raping and beating up young Mayella Ewell, the eldest child in the infamous Ewell family, and the same girl he had assisted. Mayella’s father, Bob Ewell,was a racist man, who knew that he could get away with wrongfully accusing Tom simply because Tom was black. When brought to court, evidence proved Tom not-guilty, yet he...
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...known what the KKK stands for — hatred, discrimination and sometimes extreme violence," Carlo said. "We were so alarmed we went to the point of hiring a private security person,” according to The Burlington Free Press. Vermont is one of the most homogeneous states in the country. According to The United States Census Bureau: “The total percentage of black people in Vermont in 2015 was 1.3% whereas the total percentage of white people in Vermont was 94.8%.” In Vermont, people who are not white stand out and are sometimes not accepted. Similarly, discrimination...
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...this. Scout faces many realizations and changes with the help of people, such as her father, Atticus Finch. Throughout her journey of growing up and maturing, Scout learns and experiences many things through the people around her. Scout Finch matures and changes her perspective on people, prejudices, and Boo Radley. People can have many different sides and opinions that can change and show at only certain times. While in the process of growing up and maturing, Scout realizes and experiences this in many people, specifically her aunt, her father, and Calpurnia. One thing that Scout...
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