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Atticus Finch's Role In To Kill A Mocking Bird

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Just like any other institution, families played a role in changing racial relations. During the 50s and 60s, families became more willing to put themselves at risk in order to challenge separate but equal laws that allowed unfair treatment of blacks.
Harper Lee’s, To Kill a Mockingbird, covers the day to day life of Atticus Finch and his two children, Scout and Jem, in 1930s Alabama. Atticus, a lawyer, was handpicked to represent a black man accused of raping a white woman one summer. He felt called to this innocent man’s case knowing well and good that his two young children would face innumerable challenges at his side. When asked by Scout just why he was defending Tom Robinson, Atticus replied, “...if I didn 't I couldn 't hold up my …show more content…

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is known as a famous civil rights leader who was a major factor in the movement. However, to four children all King was seen as was “Dad” (Martin Luther King Jr.). When King took up the fight against discrimination he was putting not only his life but the life of his family at danger. Following his success with the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a demonstration he lead after Rosa Parks’ was arrested for refusing to give up her bus seat to white passengers, King’s family home was bombed. Luckily, no one was harmed. In one address to a crowd King is quoted saying, “My intimidations are a small price to pay if victory can be won” (King’s House). King risked the future of his family for a cause he vehemently supported. He paid the ultimate price with his life and his family suffered a tremendous loss. However his dream that his “four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character” was realized and accomplished partly by his leadership and sacrifice …show more content…

Based off of the Briggs v. Elliot case and its effects, the movie “Separate but Equal” tells the story of how a courageous family took on a bussing issue which set the ball rolling on the bigger issue of school desegregation by garnering the support of their community and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (Separate but Equal). This case was one of five like it that grew into the better known case Brown v. Board of Education. As signers of the complaint against the school district, both Harry and Eliza Briggs faced repercussions (Briggs v. Elliot). They both lost their jobs shortly after the complaint was filed forcing Harry Briggs Sr. to leave his family to find work in another state. Harry Briggs Jr. was denied a job years later as a bus driver in Clarendon County and eventually moved with the rest of his family out of

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350 Words | 2 Pages

The novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee follows the childhood of Scout Finch. Scout grew up living in Maycomb, Alabama along with her brother Jem and her father Atticus. In the midst of her childhood Atticus was called upon to represent Tom Robinson, a black man living in Maycomb who was accused of raping a girl named Mayella Ewell. During this time Scout and her family had many hardships due to the towns criticism while doing the right thing and helping an innocent man. In the novel, Harper Lees’ use of tone helped to develop the central idea, which is the importance of having a moral compass.

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492 Words | 2 Pages

King had many inspiring quotes and took big risks to acquire his freedom and rights. He put himself in jail where he wrote the Letter from the Birmingham Jail that had a major impact on the result and how we live today. To continue the campaign the Children’s

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916 Words | 4 Pages

In To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Atticus believes Maycomb is unjust because the town is inconsiderate of other people’s view, which is shown when Atticus gets targeted for defending a black man, worries that his kids will become bitter and catch Maycomb’s disease, and Aunt Alexandra advising Atticus that he is raising his kids wrong. To begin with, Mrs Dubose addresses to Scout and her family about how Atticus is disgracing his race and his color by defending Tom Robinson on the alleged rape case. Mrs Dubose says, “Your father’s no better than the ni**ers and trash he works for” (135). Atticus views Maycomb as an injustice town because during this time period black people were seen as a lower class. Atticus is mark as an overall victim because in the trial the county is shocked that Atticus is

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1153 Words | 5 Pages

“Let us all hope that the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away and the deep fog of misunderstanding will be lifted from our fear-drenched communities, and in some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty.” Fortunately, King’s and other people’s hope was completed but it wasn’t an easy task to do. During the time King was writing the “Letter from Birmingham Jail”, the African-American Civil Rights Movement was proceeding. Men and Women were protesting for the equal rights of “colored people”, to overcome racial injustice in the USA and Martin Luther King Jr. was a major part of it. He was one of the main leaders of this movement; this

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325 Words | 2 Pages

“I’m simply defending a Negro- his name id Tom Robinson…there’s been some high talk around town to the effect that I shouldn’t do much about defending this man.”(100). Also Atticus shows courage by teaching Scout to read after Miss Caroline told him to stop. “ If you’ll concede the necessity of going to school, we’ll go on reading

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1208 Words | 5 Pages

An innocent black man, a selfless lawyer, and a misunderstood recluse all face the overwhelming prejudice and stereotypes of Maycomb County, which affects the way in which they live. Each man plays a pivotal role in the society of Maycomb County, and although they each live divergent lifestyles, they are all mockingbirds in their own unique way. In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee compares Atticus Finch, Tom Robinson, and Boo Radley to mockingbirds to show that innocent men are victims of society’s prejudice.

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1227 Words | 5 Pages

To Kill A Mocking Bird written by Harper Lee encompasses many different characters that contribute to the theme of the novel. One well known character who has a rather dominate role is Atticus Finch. Atticus Finch is the father of the narrator Scout and her brother Jem. Throughout To Kill A Mocking Bird Atticus strongly exhibits the characteristic of heroism. Heroism can be defined as having “great bravery” (Webster Dictionary 327).

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951 Words | 4 Pages

Discrimination is shown throughout To Kill A Mockingbird in numerous ways. Racism and prejudice are shown when the jury makes the ruling to convict Tom Robinson as guilty, despite all of the evidence to prove his innocence; Scout is known for being a tomboy. The lessons about discrimination that Scout learns throughout the novel are applicable to all types of prejudice, Atticus Finch, the father of Scout and Jem Finch, is judged for defending Tom Robinson, an innocent man accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a low class teenage girl. Since most of the community is racist, Tom Robinson’s case is very hard for Atticus to defend. They do not believe a white man should be defending a black man.

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838 Words | 4 Pages

Father, lawyer, and friend, the gentlemanly Atticus Finch hopes to shape the character of his children. The novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, is the story of the childhood of the young girl named Jean Louise “Scout” Finch. Throughout the book, Scout’s father, Atticus, tries his best to raise her and her brother, Jem, the right way as a single parent. To Kill a Mockingbird exemplifies the way the character of Atticus Finch either uses ritual or abandons it in order to develop certain character qualities within his children. He is specifically focuses on the development of honesty, courage, and humility.

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620 Words | 3 Pages

In a racist town during a desolate time period that epitomized hypocrisy, Atticus, an influential white citizen, proves to be an outstanding role model for people both inside and outside the book. He exemplifies empathy and moral and physical courage, giving his kids the sense of what is right and what is wrong, as well as teaching them several essential traits that will mold their lives in a positive direction. His principles indicate that several problems in society, such as racism, can be overcome, resulting in positive outcomes. Harper Lee’s highly lionized novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, illustrates Atticus as a respectful, heroic figure who is idolized by several people, especially his children, Jem and Scout Finch.

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1131 Words | 5 Pages

Atticus responds by saying a few things: “‘For a number of reasons,’ said Atticus. ‘The main one is, if I didn't I couldn't hold up my head in town, I couldn't represent this country in the legislature,’” (pg.75). And, “‘This case, Tom Robinson’s case, is something that goes to the essence of a man’s conscience- Scout, I couldn’t go to church and worship God if I didn’t try to help that man’”

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954 Words | 4 Pages

In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch, a highly respected lawyer, plays a pivotal role in instilling his children with a profound understanding of morals and values. Atticus accomplishes this by engaging in heartfelt conversations with his children, providing them with insight into his motivations and actions. Throughout the book, Atticus's teachings emerge as crucial lessons, illuminating the significance of empathy, courage, and the pursuit of fairness and justice. Firstly, Atticus exemplifies the importance of empathy by displaying compassion towards the people of Maycomb, even when faced with their animosity.

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120 Words | 1 Pages

the decisions made on a daily basis by humans are influenced by the public opinion, but Atticus Finch takes on a controversial case and goes against the public opinion. Being criticized by all of Maycomb for defending Tom Robinson, a black person, he risks his life to do what is right. In a society where racism and prejudice has blindfolded citizens and hidden the truth from them, Atticus accepts the case while he could have rejected it and saved himself and his family trouble and danger of being killed. Despite having almost no chance to win the case Atticus defends Tom Robinson because he feels compelled to do defend justice and set an example for his children and the

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1848 Words | 8 Pages

Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most influential leaders of his time and played a crucial role in the African-American Civil Rights movement. Luther was a charismatic leader who took a firm stand against the oppressive and racist regime of the United States (US), devoting much of his life towards uniting the segregated African-American community of the US. His efforts to consolidate and harmonise the US into one country for all is reflected in many of his writings and speeches spanning his career. As a leader of his people, King took the stand to take radical measures to overcome the false promises of the sovereign government that had been addressing the issues of racial segregation through unimplemented transparent laws that did nothing to change the grim realities of the society. Hence, King’s works always had the recurring theme of the unity and strength of combined willpower.

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769 Words | 4 Pages

Being a five-foot tall Hispanic girl, I literally see the world from a different perspective. I was never the type of person to feel confident under my own skin because I belittled myself instead of embracing my physique, culture, and gender. As a young girl, I was inspired to run for president after reading a biography of George Washington, become an astronaut after seeing Apollo 13, and a computer scientist after learning about Bill Gates, but I was discouraged to pursue those careers because I am a girl. When the teacher would ask what we wanted to be when we were older, some boys would say, “You can’t do that! You’re a girl!”

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