2. Compassion, courage, generosity, honesty, honor, humility, idealism, integrity, modesty, respect, tolerance – words we use to describe noble human characteristics (virtues).
While not all of the adults in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird possess such virtues, many do. Discuss 3 of these virtues and analyze which adult characters in the novel best illustrate these virtues
Atticus: courage
Atticus Finch, father of Jean Louise ‘Scout’ Finch and Jem Finch, is the main adult character in the novel. Atticus showed courageous attributes throughout the novel. “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 but you begin anyway and you see through it no matter what.” (Atticus, pg 112) He was courageous in taking the chance of defending an African- American, Tom Robison, even though he knew it would be difficult and other people would have negative outlook and rude comments towards his children, Jem and Scout, and himself. By defending Robinson, Atticus shows that he is willing to fight against all odds. “Are we going to win it?” (Scout, pg 101) “No honey” (Atticus, pg 101).
Atticus assumed he wasn’t going to win the case because the jury consisted of white folks, but he decided to stand up and fight for what he believed in. Even though he would lose respect from other citizens within Maycomb County, he still defended Robinson because he believed it was the right thing to do.
The Essay on Mrs Dubose Jem Atticus Courage
To Kill a Mockingbird "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee is a story of national magnitude that contains complex characters. Harper Lee deals with the emotions and spirits of the characters insight fully. A few of these characters display courage at one point or another in the story. These flashes of courage come during turbulent times of the story, and often led to success. Atticus Finch ...
Calpurnia: respect
Calpurnia is the Finch’s family’s black cook. Calpurnia displayed many traits that contributed to her nice and kind character type. One notable trait she displayed was respect. Calpurnia showed a great deal of respect throughout the book towards many of the other characters. She showed respect to Walter Cunnigham when Jem and Scout brought him to their home for lunch. During lunch, Walter poured syrup all over his meat and vegetables, shocking Jem and causing her to insult Walter and question what he was doing. “There’s some folk who don’t eat like us” (Calpurnia, pg 32).She understood how his life was and respected the fact that a large meal like this was new to him and he doesn’t get the opportunity to eat much because his family is very poor.
Scout: respect
Jean Louise ‘Scout’ Finch, the daughter of Atticus Finch and younger sister of Jem Finch, showed a great deal of respect after the beginning chapters of the book. Scout would go on to carry on signs of respect through the remainder of the book. “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” (Atticus, pg 39).
After Atticus stated this to Scout, she began to act more mature throughout the duration of the novel. Scout began to look at things from a different perspective than she previously had. Scout began to show signs of respect and respect people and their way of living, no matter how strange she thought it was, because she learned that everybody is different. After Dill returned to Maycomb County the following summer, Jem and Dill began to play a game titled “Boo Radley.” Scout had no intention in participating and engaging in the game due to the fact that she did not want to pester Mr. Arthur and because she had a great amount of respect for Atticus and she did not want to go against him because he told them to “stop tormenting that man” (Atticus, pg 65).
Scout’s respect for Atticus is also shown in later parts of the book when she stands up for him and fights other characters like Cecil Jacobs when he announces to the school yard that Scout Finch’s daddy defends niggers and when her cousin, Francis, calls Atticus a “Nigger-lover” (Francis, pg 110).
The Term Paper on Half Heart Bottom Scout Atticus Shape
... she trusts and loves, like Jem, Scout, Atticus, and a few select others. Calpurnia is placed to the side, with ... else wanted to do. The Negroes showed their respect for Atticus when Scout narrates, "I looked around. They were standing. ... has a quality that sets her apart from the Finches and Dill: she is black. Her shape is ... Each character's personality in the book To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee ...
Scout, the main character in the novel, displayed the trait of respect throughout the book.