Topic > Analysis of Atticus Finch as a Static Character in To Kill a Mockingbird Character IntroductionSet the stage for the importance of moral attributes in societyMention of Atticus Finch as a character in the novel "To Kill a Mockingbird"Character Analysis of Atticus FinchAtticus as a Static Character with Consistent TraitsExamination of Atticus's Understanding, Fairness and HonestyUnderstanding of AtticusExamples of Atticus's ability to understand the perspectives of others Impact of his understanding towards his children, Jem and Scout Atticus's fairness Atticus's commitment to justice and fairness in court His defense of Tom Robinson and faith in a fair trial Atticus's honesty Atticus's honesty in his interactions with others, including Tom Robinson How his sincerity and frankness earned him trust and respect in the community Conclusion Summarizing Atticus's character traits Finch and their significance in the novel Reinforcing the idea that Atticus serves as a moral exemplar in the story Character Analysis Essay Example While most people in society strive to have moral attributes, not everyone understands which traits are important to achieve this objective objective. Often people try to model themselves on the example of another. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch is a single father living with his two children, Jem and Scout, in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama. Her young children find themselves constantly trying to keep busy as the years pass. One summer, Atticus, who is a lawyer, finds himself in the middle of a controversial case, involving a black man, Tom Robinson, and a white woman. Scout and Jem watch as Atticus responds to the changes that chance brings to their small town, which pushes the children to follow in his footsteps. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus is a static character who is continually sympathetic, fair, and honest. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Someone cannot truly call themselves a noble person if they are unable to understand others. Atticus is a character who proves himself to be noble throughout the story, leading many to respect him. Thanks to Atticus' nobility, Jem and Scout are better able to understand the changes in the community with unbiased eyes. “'You will never truly understand a person until you consider things from their point of view'” (Lee 30). Atticus gives this advice to Scout after she has a terrible first day of school; Scout is not fond of his new teacher and therefore refuses to go back. Atticus, who is calm and collected, tells Scout that perhaps her teacher hasn't had a good day either, and that Scout should put herself in Miss Caroline's shoes before making any rash decisions. In situations like these, it's sometimes easier to learn just one side of the story, but Atticus decides to take a broader perspective. His ability to distance himself from situations and consider all aspects shows how wise Atticus can truly be. Additionally, Atticus shows his discernment when a rabid dog enters the neighborhood. “Mr. Tate almost threw the rifle at Atticus” (Lee 95). The dog is approaching when Mr. Tate, the sheriff, asks Atticus to shoot it. Atticus is reluctant but, instead of refusing, he swallows his pride and kills the dog for the safety of his family andof his friends. He recognizes that by killing this dog, he will keep everyone out of harm's way. Whether encouraging Scout to return to school or shooting a rabid dog, Atticus maintains his strong sense of insight and understanding throughout the novel. A man who is simply said to be guided by reality, logic and spirit. All of these traits apply to Atticus, especially during the time of Tom Robinson's trial. “'But there is a way in this country in which all men are created equal… That institution, gentlemen, is a court of law'” (Lee 205). During his closing argument, Atticus reminds the court how the justice system should work: all men, whether intelligent, dull, legendary, or black, are entitled to a fair trial. Atticus is well aware that the court is not perfect, but all he asks of the jury is that Tom Robinson be given a fair trial. Without due process, an accurate solution cannot be reached. Atticus shows his fairness when he addresses the jury explaining why he believes Mayella is telling the story as it is. “'She has committed no crime, she has simply broken a rigid, time-honored code of our society, a code so severe that anyone who breaks it is persecuted by us as unfit to live with'” (Lee 203). Atticus's perception penetrates the facade of Mayella's story and recognizes the reason behind Mayella's ways. She has reason to believe that her father beat her, and this is why she accuses Tom of rape. However, despite knowing this, Atticus doesn't think it's right to punish Mayella: she was doing what she had to do to save herself. Mayella is just a victim and Atticus doesn't think it's fair to blame her for it. Atticus proves himself in the film To Kill a Mockingbird by trying to live his life sincerely, reasonably, and fairly. Atticus' sincerity throughout the story is what keeps the surrounding characters grounded and connected to reality. “…why didn’t Atticus just say yes, you will be free, and let’s leave it at that – it seemed like it would be a great comfort to Tom” (Lee 254). As a lawyer, it is Atticus's job to defend his client, but he must also be honest with him. Miss Rachel's cook didn't understand why Atticus didn't tell Tom that they would win Tom's case, but Atticus didn't want to make a promise he couldn't keep. Atticus was the only man Tom could truly trust. If Atticus had made him a promise that he couldn't keep, it would not only have broken the trust between the two, but also Tom's hope of becoming a free man. “'I told him what I thought, but in truth I couldn't say we had more than a good chance'” (Lee 235). Atticus was only honest with Tom Robinson and doesn't sugarcoat anything for his client. He understands that during this stressful time, lies will only make the situation worse. Without the vision of reality, the ignorance that would surely result would only lead to madness. Atticus' sincerity is what makes others trust and respect him in To Kill a Mockingbird. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus is an important character who helps readers understand how to look with eyes without prejudice. This is evident when Atticus causes the children to become more understanding of the world around them. He is a man who sees no evil where it does not exist. He is sincere, causing readers to not only trust what he says, but also his actions and advice. To be a good person, a man must have respectable characteristics even when others do.
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