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Examples Of Atticus Finch's Behavior In To Kill A Mockingbird

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“The White Savior Complex:” a white individual will engage in an activity to benefit those of color for personal satisfaction. To Kill A Mockingbird, stimulated a great controversy regarding the character of Atticus Finch and the white savior mentality. Harper Lee, wrote Finch as a character who defends Tom Robinson in a criminal trial. Robinson, being of color was not expected to have an opportunity in court. Atticus Finch was allotted by Judge John Taylor to be Robinsons lawyer. Taylor knew that Finch would work diligently toward Robinson's case, when compared to other attorneys. Although, what's to say that if Finch was not allocated this position, he would have pursued it. Atticus Finch may be perceived as a white savior to some, though that does not mean he saw those of color as equals. …show more content…

Finch tells Scout, “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 or Jem not to do something again.”(pg.100) In order for Atticus to sustain meaning to his words, he properly defended Robinson. To further extrapolate, when Atticus was asked by Scout if he defended Niggers, he responded by saying, “Don’t say nigger, scout. That’s common.”(pg. 99) Yet, Scout said that, “When Calpurnia stayed overnight with us she slept on a folding cot in the kitchen.”(pg.157) Is this behavior not common; Calpurnia is not allowed to sleep on the couch in the house, instead she is set apart from the main rooms of the home. Atticus’ conduct contribute to the fact that words mean nothing if one’s actions contradict

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468 Words | 2 Pages

Calpurnia is the hired housekeeper that takes care of the house and kids. Atticus leaves his trust with her to keep the children together. The children though walk around town and go on adventures without either of them knowing. When Jem and Scout would get into trouble, Atticus would find out through the sheriff or other people around town. This shows the distance between the father and the children.

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998 Words | 4 Pages

He is a wise man to his community and its people, especially Jem and Scout. Atticus Finch, a lawyer, is put into a case, defending a black man, Tom Robinson, who is accused of raping a white woman, Mayella Ewell. Atticus’ insightful, caring, and thoughtful personality

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182 Words | 1 Pages

This past week has been rough for the Robinson family. After a racist jury choose to make an innocent man guilty things went from bad to worse. Atticus Finch was chosen to defend Tom Robinson. This particular case was against Mayella Ewell, a white woman. As a black man Tom was already at a disadvantage.

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396 Words | 2 Pages

A Well Respected Man Atticus is a well respected man throughout the town of Maycomb. Although criticized openly he still continued to do the right thing for others People admired him for so many reasons. Three reasons he was an admirable person was one he was compassionate to others, he was caring, and finally he was brave. In the book “To Kill a Mockingbird” Atticus is well respected.

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672 Words | 3 Pages

The main character in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird is Atticus Finch, a middle aged man living in Maycomb Alabama. Even though he is a southerner he isn’t racist and he believes that everyone should be treated equal, Atticus teaches his children empathy and not to discriminate against other people, he does his by telling them “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” Even though Atticus treats everyone as equals he gets affected by the town and their prejudice way of thinking. Because Atticus accepts Tom Robinsons case he gets called a “nigger lover” and him and his children get treated differently by the town.

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604 Words | 3 Pages

“In the name of God, do your duty” (Atticus). In To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Atticus stands in court representing Tom Robinson. Tom Robinson is a black man who has been accused of raping a white woman, Mayella Ewell. Mayella’s father, Bob Ewell, is known to be repulsive and an alcoholic. During the case Atticus makes Bob look guilty and like a fool.

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523 Words | 3 Pages

If you were faced with an impossible feat would you give up or keep trying? The story of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, is told through a young girl named Jean Louise Finch although she is more commonly known just as Scout. The book discusses heavy, real world problems such as racism and abuse through the eyes of a young girl. Atticus shows ambition throughout the book when he stands up for Tom Robinson and battles his case out to the very end. The first time we see the ambition of Atticus is on page 195.

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834 Words | 4 Pages

A couple of relatives were visiting and talking to Scout when one said, “‘[Francis:] Grandma says it’s bad enough he lets you all run wild, but now he’s turned out to be a n-lover we’ll never be able to walk the streets of Maycomb agin. He’s ruinin’ the family, that’s what he’s doin’.’” (110). It is clear that Atticus being the defendant of an African-American man during a racial time in the world had discontented everyone in the town, his own family other than Scout and Jem clearly expresses their dislike. Atticus knows that taking this case would mean losing, yet because he believes in the equality of the people, he still decided to take on the case.

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573 Words | 3 Pages

fortunate”(292). Although he is white, Atticus demonstrates how one can understand someone, regardless of color. Instead of just being Tom Robinson’s lawyer, Atticus chooses to defend this man;however, since it is made known that Atticus is doing so, the town of Maycomb reacts with negativity. For example, he is insulted numerous times by the people of Maycomb.” Your father’s no better than the n****** and trash he works for”(Lee 135).

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423 Words | 2 Pages

To begin, the reader sees Atticus Finch’s unshakable morals in his fight against racial segregation in Maycomb. Firstly, even though Atticus is given an option to not take Tom Robinson’s case, he still takes it to help him. There are numerous reasons why Atticus Finch is Tom Robinson’s attorney, but, “the main one is, if I didn’t, I couldn’t hold my head up in town, I couldn’t represent the county in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again” (Lee 86). Atticus is stating that he could not live with himself if he did not help and defend an innocent man. This proves that Atticus has unshakable morals and is against racial segregation as he is fighting for a innocent black man who has been wrongfully convicted

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919 Words | 4 Pages

1. Atticus’s parenting style is not like most parents in Maycomb. Atticus likes to be straight forward with his kids Jem and Scout and not lie to them. Throughout the story Jem and Scout have to deal with racism. Atticus said,”...you’re confusing that with something else.

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915 Words | 4 Pages

Savior of Society Did you ever wonder why someone thought to separate blacks from whites, then wonder why someone decided to join them together again? In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, many uncomfortable situations were addressed that many people today preferably don’t like to talk about nowadays. This is why Atticus Finch encourages his children, Jem and Scout, to be aware of segregation. Within the novel, there is a rape case that discusses a black man being accused of the crime. This case afflicts many emotions and actions from multiple characters but specifically Atticus, the lawyer on the black man’s side.

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1146 Words | 5 Pages

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee tells a story of racial prejudice during the Depression and how it is combated. The main development in the novel is that a Atticus, the father of Scout and Jem, has been appointed to defend Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a young white woman named Mayella. Many people in the town of Maycomb, particularly people involved with the case of Tom, have a negative attitude towards African Americans. Prejudice was a terrible issue in the South during the Depression, but Atticus Finch shows that racial injustice can be combated in two main ways, each having different levels of effectiveness.

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1115 Words | 5 Pages

Thesis:While some may believe that Atticus should not have taken a stand for Tom Robinson because of his race, Atticus proves that he should, in fact, take a stand to give Tom a voice and because it’s the right thing to do. Transition: Therefore, it makes sense for Atticus Finch to take a stand for Tom Robinson.

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1722 Words | 7 Pages

Cosmopolitan=we can define cosmopolitan as someone who is culturally and globally diverse. They are most likely well-traveled and may speak a few different languages. They have a world view that involves peace and equality between all genders, race, and religion. “Cosmopolitans tend to want to immerse themselves in other cultures…” GR pg. 489 and, ”The perspective of the cosmopolitan must entail relationships to a plurality of cultures understood as distinctive entities.

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