In 1960, Harper Lee?s To Kill a Mockingbird was first published. The book was published in the middle of the civil rights movement (Jones 53).
The novel has been admired by many since it was first written, and it is a story that deals with racism in the 1930s. Diane Telgen said the following about the novel, “Lee?s story of the events surrounding the trial has been admired for its portrayal of Southern Life during the 1930s, not only for its piercing examination of the causes and effects of racism, but because it created a model of tolerance and courage in the character of Atticus Finch” (Telgen 285), one of the main characters in To Kill a Mockingbird. Claudia Durst Johnson had the following to say about the novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird presents the argument that the forces that motivate society are not constant with the democratic ideals embedded in its legal system” (Johnson “The Secret Courts of Men?s Hearts” 129).
She is saying that the novel allows people to go against what is usually done and what is not perceived by the public to be necessarily right. The novel is also about how Atticus Finch raises his children Jem and Scout. They learn how to fight prejudice and dignity by watching their father, Atticus (Telgen 285).
They are raised properly because Atticus Finch is a gentleman in the way he acts to his family, and to the people of his community. He is not afraid to stand up for what is right, even if his opinion is opposed by the community he represents in the Alabama State Legislature (Telgen 290).
The Essay on To Kill A Mockingbird: Atticus One Shot Finch
Atticus is said to be ‘the deadliest shot in Maycomb County’. This is because in an incident in Chapter 10, Atticus is called upon to rid Maycomb County of a sick, unhealthy mad dog, which could cause much harm to the community if it got a chance to attack the people. The dog, Tim Johnson, is infected with rabies, and the best person in Maycomb to rid the county of this hazard is ...
Atticus Finch is a man who is respected by almost every resident of Maycomb County, Alabama. Atticus character was inspired by Harper Lee?s father who happened to be a lawyer (Montgomery 1).
The Finch family was one of Maycomb county?s oldest families. Atticus is ” ? related by blood or marriage to nearly every member in the town??” (Matuz 243).
Atticus and his brother were also the first Finches allowed to “leave the family lands and study elsewhere.” Atticus?s name “suggests the enlightened values that he tries to uphold” (Anygal 2).
Atticus is also a widower who is trying to raise his children in a way he believes is proper. R. A. Dave had this to say about Atticus, “He is a widower but treats his motherless children with so much affection that they call him ?Atticus.?? He stands up like a lighthouse firm, noble, and magnanimous” (Matuz 247).
Atticus is also a fair lawyer that trusts his clients to pay him eventually, even if they cannot the moment his services are performed (Shuman 1).
” When Atticus renders legal services for Walter Cunningham, Sr., ?, he is repaid with goods such as firewood and nuts instead of cash.” Atticus finch is a man who has values of dignity, integrity, determination, and tolerance (Telgen 290).
Atticus has embedded many morals in his children; he has done this in many ways, and his method or raising children has not always been approved by his neighbors. One thing he has taught his children is to put themselves in other peoples? shoes. Atticus once had this to say to his daughter Scout, “?first of all,? he said, ?if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you?ll get along better with all kinds of folks. You never understand a person until you consider things from his point of view?until you climb into his skin and walk around in it?” (Lee 34).
Atticus allows his children to have fun, but he is also a disciplinarian. He is “always teaching his children to think how their actions affect others and devising punishments to teach his children valuable lessons” (Telgen 290).
One time Atticus insisted “that Jem read every afternoon to old Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose in atonement for his cutting the tops off her camellia bushes after she taunted him about his father?s being ?no better than the niggers and trash he works for.? But we soon learn with Scout that Atticus believed Jem would become aware of the real meaning of courage when he was forced to aid a dying old woman in breaking the narcotic habit she abhorred” (Matuz 250).
The Essay on Radley House Children Scout Chapter
Chapter 1 Summary In this chapter, brief introduction of the Finch family is given by Scout. Simon Finch established a homestead, 'Finch's Landing', on the banks of the Alabama River. He died a rich and prosperous man. One of his sons, Atticus, studied law; the other had studied medicine. Although both sons left Finch's Landing, Alexandra, their sister, remained. Atticus practiced law in Maycomb, ...
Atticus also wanted his children to see the good sides of people. After Mrs. Dubose?s death, Atticus told his children that she was “The bravest person he ever knew” (Telgen 294).
After Jem and Scout are saved by Arthur Radley, and Scout sees him and calls him “Boo,” Atticus gently corrects her and tells her to call him Mr. Arthur (Jones 61).
Atticus teaches his children at home in addition to the education they receive at school. Baird Shuman has this to say about their education, “The Finch children go to school, but that is not where they receive the bulk of their education. They learn from their father and from the society surrounding them the lessons they need to internalize to function one day as productive adults” (Shuman 2).
Pearlman had this to say about Atticus, “Atticus?teaches Jem and Scout that a person?s worth is measured by his character and not by his power of acquisition” (Pearlman 2).
Atticus likes to read to his children, but Scout?s teacher disapproves of this because Atticus?s ” ?unqualified? instruction would ?interfere? with her children” (Telgen 293).
Atticus Finch is a good father who is raising his children to be good, moral people. Even though Atticus may seem dull on the outside, the children find out that this just isn?t so, because he has real courage. Many people in Maycomb county believe that Atticus is very boring. In the beginning of the novel Jem and Scout believe that their Dad is the most boring man in town (Jones 53).
The locals believe that the only thing that Atticus does is read (Telgen 300).
Atticus once gave his children an air gun for Christmas and he put that gun to good use. Atticus told them that “it?s all right to shoot blue jays, but ?it?s a sin to kill a mockingbird?” (Telgen 294).
Atticus had to shoot a rabid dog with the air gun, and the neighbors told the children that “Atticus is the best shot in the county” (Telgen 287).
The Essay on Black Children Time Man Today
After viewing the film To Kill A Mocking Bird, I found it to be a very interesting and an informative piece of work. To see how people lived in the years during the great depression and how society was structured was enlightening. The Finch family lived a modest lifestyle, as compared to other families during that time. The movie centers around the Finch family and their day to day life. From the ...
Atticus also teaches his children what the real meaning of courage is. He tells them that courage is ” ?when you know you?re licked before you begin, but you see it through no matter what?” (Telgen 290).
Scout thought her father was “the bravest man who ever lived” (Telgen 293).
Atticus Finch is a man who has courage and shows it to his family and community only when he needs to. When Atticus is given the hardest case he has ever tried to defend, he decides to do the best job he can, even though it may not be viewed well in the community. Steven Lubert had the following to say about Atticus defending Tom Robinson, “In the reconstructed Maycomb, AL of the 1930s, Atticus was willing to risk his social standing, professional reputation, and even his physical safety in order to defend a poor black laborer falsely accused of raping a white woman” (Lubert 1).
The town does not approve of Atticus defending Tom Robinson because he wants to do the best job he can (Telgen 290).
Atticus says that if he did not defend Tom Robinson that he could not go on with the rest of his life.
When Scout learns that Atticus was appointed to the Robinson case, she asks why he cannot refuse it he replies ?For a number or reasons. The main one is, if I didn?t I couldn?t hold up my head in this town.
I couldn?t represent this county in the legislature. I couldn?t even tell you and Jem not to do something again ? Scout, simply by the nature of the work, every lawyer gets at least one case in his lifetime that affects him personally. This one?s mine I guess (Jones 57).
Atticus also tries to defend himself and his family from angry citizens who do not like it that Atticus is defending Tom Robinson. When Scout is harassed at school because her dad “defends Niggers,” he does not lie to her and tells her the truth. He also warns her that it might not end soon (Telgen 287).
Atticus once warned his children that ” ?[that a mob is always made up of people, no matter what]?” (Johnson “The Secret Courts of Men?s Hearts” 134).
Atticus does not approve of the Ewells because they are trash, and Scout never heard her father talk about people the way he did about the Ewells (Lubert 2).
The Essay on Twelve Angry Men And To Kill A Mockingbird
Mahatma Gandhi once said, You must be the change you wish to see in the world. This simply means that if you want to make a difference in the world then you have to be the one to step up and make the change. This quote applies to Juror Eight in Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose and Atticus in To Kill a Mockingbird. Juror Eight takes a stand for what he believes in and opposes the other eleven ...
“Atticus tells his children that any man who takes advantage of a black man is ?trash?” (Telgen 292).
Atticus decides to defend Mr. Robinson because he believes it is the right thing to do even if it may not be in his best interest to do so. At the Tom Robinson trial, Atticus did the best job he could in defending Tom, but even though he proved Tom innocent the jury was not ready to acquit a black man who was accused of raping a white woman. When Mayella Ewell is on the stand Atticus tries to get the truth out of her because he knows she is lying. He was however polite to Mayella even though he did not like her (Lubert 4).
Lubert also commented that “Atticus left no doubt that he intended to do his job. ?Miss Mayella,? he began his cross examination, ?I won?t try to scare you for a while, not yet?” (Lubert 4).
Scout, however, does not believe that her father is conducting himself properly during the cross examination (Althouse 1).
When Mayella refused to continue testifying, Atticus honored the request because this showed that she had something to hide, and by doing this he protected Bob Ewell (Althouse 3).
Atticus truly believes that Tom Robinson is innocent of the charges that he raped Mayella Ewell. This was very unusual in the Alabama of the 1930s because the word of a white woman was almost always to be trusted over the word of a black man (Lubert 11).
Atticus also gave a strong closing argument to the jury to prove that Tom is innocent. In his closing argument Atticus “charges the jury put aside prejudice and fulfill their duty as participants in a democratic style of government” (Matuz 240).
Atticus also pointed out that “the entire prosecution is based upon ?the assumption that all Negroes lie, and that all Negroes are basically immoral beings, that all Negro men are not to be trusted around our women?” (Matuz 292).
Atticus also stated that everyone is bound together by the same law (Matuz 244).
Atticus also tells the jury that, “what has happened between Mayella Ewell and Tom Robinson is a crime because it violates the rigid code and social structure of Maycomb” (Jones 59).
The Essay on Fellowship Of Man Family Tom Joad
Grapes of Wrath Explain how the behavior of the Joadsshows Steinbeck's view of the responsibility of the individual to society as a whole. Chapter 14 made an interesting point. At one point in the chapter it was stated that a farmer lost his farm. As this man's family picks up their belongings and heads west they meet up with another family dealing with a similar situation. Now these two families ...
Atticus concluded his closing argument to the jury by saying the following, ” A court is only as sound as its jury, and a jury is only as sound as the men who make it up. I am confident that you gentlemen will review the evidence you have hear?.In the name of God, do your duty” (Lee 208).
Even though Atticus did not win the case, he thinks that he is successful in turning the prejudice tide in the town. No one had ever kept a jury out as long as Atticus did in this case, meaning that they were seriously contemplating whether Tom was guilty or not (Matuz 249).
Telgen believes that “the jury?s willingness to believe what Atticus calls ?the evil assumption?that all Negroes are basically immoral beings? leads them to convict an innocent man” (Telgen 293).
Atticus?s actions in the Tom Robinson case are not soon forgotten by the people of Maycomb. The black community of Maycomb is grateful for what Atticus did. “The black families of Maycomb sent Atticus gifts of food after the trial, though bitterness still lingered in the white community” (Anygal 2).
Atticus also tried to explain to his children that everything in life does not go the way it should. Many people were still upset at the way Atticus defended Tom Robinson. Bob Ewell threatened Atticus and even spit on him (Telgen 287-288).
When Bob Ewell attacked the Finch children, he was killed by his own knife by Arthur Radley (Matuz 249).
The action of Atticus Finch will not be soon forgotten by anyone in Maycomb white or black. “Mr. Underwood, the Maycomb Newspaper editor, ?linked Tom?s death to the senseless slaughter of songbirds by hunters and children?” (Johnson Understanding To Kill a Mockingbird 9).
Atticus Finch is a great man who has remained an American icon whom many would like to be like (Lubert 12).
Many people believe that Atticus is the ultimate person in To Kill a Mockingbird. Steven Lubert says that “Atticus can do no wrong?and that all of Maycomb puts their faith in him” (Lubert 2).Atkinsen says that, “Harper Lee has given us the gospel according to Atticus in the words of his chief disciple?.But we are the ones who have included her story in our cannon and who continue to work and worship Atticus?s golden image” (Atkinson 2).
The Essay on Kill A Mockingbird Scout Lee Time
Nelle Harper Lee's Philosophy on the Proper Treatment of Human Beings in To Kill A Mockingbird The 1930's were a time in which blacks faced many hardships. It was a time in which the Ku Klux Klan had its peak. However, most importantly, it was the time when Nelle Harper Lee, the writer of To Kill A Mockingbird, was being raised. She was raised in a world where 'niggers'; were the bottom class in ...
Other people believe that Atticus is a great heroic person. In the novel, Miss Maudie Atkinson believes that Atticus made “Maycomb question itself in a way no one else could?” (Jones 60).
Claudia Johnson says that “Atticus?s saintliness has nothing to do with cowardice or importance. He is a savior capable of facing a mad dog, and a lynch mob. He is? ?[born to do our unpleasant jobs for us]?” (Johnson “The Secret Courts of Men?s Hearts” 133).
Many people also believe that Atticus is an excellent lawyer. Atticus tried to defend people within the bounds of the law (Lubert 1).
When Randolph Stone had to answer the question, if Atticus is ” a paragon of Honor or an especially slick hired gun?” He answered by saying the following, He accepted a difficult and unpopular case, saved his client from a lynch mob, and tried to do an effective job in court. Did he harbor raciest and sexist stereotypes? Yes, but for a fifty-ish white man of 1930s Alabama, he was probably ahead of the curve. Like most of us he was a work in progress (Stone 2).
Atticus Finch will continue to be an American Literary Hero for along time to come, because Harper Lee?s To Kill a Mockingbird will continue to make significant differences in the lives of individual, and the culture as a whole (Johnson To Kill a Mockingbird Threatening Boundaries 13).
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Atkinson, Rob. “Comment on Steven Lubert, Reconstructing Atticus Finch.” Michigan Law Review. May 1999. 1370-1372. Johnson, Claudia. “The Secret Courts of Men?s Hearts: Code and Law in Harper Lee?s To Kill a Mockingbird.” Studies in American Fiction. Autumn: 1991. 129-139. Johnson, Claudia Durst. To Kill a Mockingbird Threatening Boundaries. New York: Twayne, 1994. Johnson, Claudia Durst. Understanding To Kill a Mockingbird. Westport,CT: Greenwood, 1994. Jones, Carolyn. “Atticus Finch and the Mad Dog: Harper Lee?s To Kill a Mockingbird.” The
Southern Quarterly. Summer 1996: 53-63. Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. New York: Warner, 1960. Lubert, Steven. “Reconstructing Atticus Finch.” Michigan Law Review. May 1999. 1339-1362. Matuz, Roger, ed. “Nelle Harper Lee: American Novelist.” Contemporary Literary Criticism.
Vol. 60. Detroit:Gale, 1990. 239-250. Montgomery, Leigh. “Harper Lee Still Prizes Privacy Over Publicity.” Christian Science Moniter. 11 Sept. 1997. 18+. Pearlman, Michael. “The Role of Socioeconomic Status in Adolescent Literature.” Adolescense. Spring 1995. 223-231. Shuman, R. Baird. “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Masterplots. Electronic Database. Salem: 1997. Stone, Randolph N.. “Atticus Finch, in Contest.” Michigan Law Review. May 1999. 1378-1381. Telgen, Diane, ed. “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Novels For Students. Detroit: Gale, 1997. 285-307.
