Atticus Finch's Status In To Kill A Mockingbird

Imagine a world where one’s skin color determined one’s status in society. Imagine a world where warmhearted people are criticized for the love the people try to spread. Maybe when this comes to mind, it sounds a bit like a fairytale. The normal fairytale where the princess or prince tries to do something out of pure kindness, but they end up getting criticized. A fairytale where looks influence status. This situation can’t just be applied to fairytales, it can also be applied to Maycomb County, Alabama in the 1930’s. Atticus Finch is a lawyer in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama. Atticus has a daughter and son, Scout and Jem. With their father, the three go through many adventures with gossiping women and a court case with a black man named

For instance, Scout announces how a boy made fun of her dad when she explains, “He announced in the school yard the day before that Scout’s daddy defended niggers. I denied it, but told Jem,”(85). Atticus is defending an African American named Tom Robinson. Atticus is sensing hostility from others because it was looked down upon for a white man to protect a black man at the time. Atticus is even getting criticized by children. Atticus is shown as a symbol in this part because he is trying to use his morals to make everyone feel happy and equal, but is hated on by people. Mockingbirds don’t mind people and try to make everyone happy, yet they are still killed by people. Both Atticus and mockingbirds are hated on by a certain set of people. Another example of Atticus being a mockingbird, but being loved by people, is when Reverend Skyes, a black man, says to Scout and Jem, “‘This church has no better friend than your daddy,’”(163). Reverend Skyes explains to Scout and Jem that Atticus is considered a friend because he is supporting Tom Robinson’s court case. Atticus has taken a court case defending Tom Robinson. The accusation that was thrown at Tom was that he raped a white woman. At this part, Atticus Finch can be seen as a mockingbird because there are people who believe Atticus is doing the right thing and support him. This is similar to a mockingbird because both Atticus and mockingbirds are supported and cherished by some people. Atticus is supported because of he follows moral values than society’s values. Mockingbirds are appreciated by people who enjoy their chirping. It can be concluded that Atticus gets hate and love from people, similar to a mockingbird. To summarize, Atticus Finch and the mockingbirds are appreciated by some, but hated by others for what both