Examples Of Integrity In To Kill A Mockingbird

Integrity is defined as the quality of having, living by, keeping, and defending one’s firm moral principles in all circumstances. Men throughout history have exhibited this trait. Martin Luther King, Jr., portrayed this quality when he led the African-American Civil Rights Movement. Integrity was also ubiquitous throughout the Bible. Joseph, a Biblical character, displayed this quality throughout his life of slavery in Egypt. Moreover, rectitude (integrity) has been exemplified in fiction literature. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus revealed his high moral standards as a father and a lawyer. Indeed, the theme of integrity is clearly demonstrated by the character Atticus in To Kill a Mockingbird, in the Bible, and also in real

When Scout asked him why he was defending Tom Robinson (an innocent black man accused of rape), even though he “shouldn’t be defendin’ him [because he was black],” Atticus replied with the following: “… If I didn’t [defend Tom Robinson,] I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this county in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again” (75). Atticus was quite aware that if he did not live with rectitude, he was unqualified to teach it to his children. In this scenario, Atticus knew that he had to show fairness toward Tom Robinson. He knew that if he did not defend Tom Robinson, Atticus would be unjust; this would contradict everything that he taught his

Ewell spat in his face, threatened him, and insulted him. Atticus reacted with great dignity; he simply wiped his face and walked away impassively and peacefully. Although Atticus knew that Bob Ewell had falsely accused Tom Robinson, Atticus did not take revenge against Mr. Ewell when the man offended him. Instead, Atticus assumed the best about Mr. Ewell; he reasoned that Bob Ewell was venting his anger because he had discredited the man at the trial. Atticus knew that he would be scorned for defending a black man; nevertheless, he maintained his integrity in the face of resentment. Joseph was an individual who demonstrated integrity when he faced extreme adversity. After he was sold into slavery, he continued to show rectitude. While he was Potiphar’s slave, Joseph obeyed and worked hard for his master. As a result, Joseph “found favor in [Potiphar’s] eyes” and was “put in charge of the household” (Genesis 39:4). When Joseph was sent to prison after being accused of rape, he still upheld his integrity. The prison warden put Joseph in charge of the whole prison, and Joseph managed the prison quite responsibly in spite of the injustice of his