By looking at Harper Lee’s novel ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’, one can see through Lee’s use of characterization of Atticus Finch, standing up for what he believes in is an admirable trait, which is important because in today’s community, there are people who are afraid, and decide to conform to societal norms. Throughout the novel, Harper Lee uses the scenarios where she illuminates Atticus’ courage in many forms. Due to the whole neighborhood watching, Heck Tate stated that this has to be done in one shot and gives the gun to Atticus and he shoots the dog. Scout and Jem have excitement and curiosity beaming out of them as Ms. Maudie informs them: “He’s civilized in his heart.
Atticus talks to Jem about shooting the air rifles they got for Christmas. “I'd rather you shot at tin cans in the backyard, but I know you'll go after birds. Shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird. ”(119) If you look for the deeper meaning, you see that Atticus acknowledges the value of different birds and treats them accordingly.
He bought his kids air rifles but he wouldn’t teach them how to shoot them, “ when he gave us our air-rifles Atticus wouldn’t teach us to shoot. Uncle Jack instructed us in the rudiments thereof; he said Atticus wasn’t interested in guns. (Lee 119)” Jem was going to shoot Miss Maudie in the butt. Atticus said “ Don’t you ever let me catch you pointing that gun at anybody again.
This quote takes place after Atticus has shot a rabid dog that was threatening his children and the neighborhood. Miss Maudie tells Jem and Scout that Atticus was “the deadest shot in Maycomb County in his time,” and was called “Ol’ One-Shot.” Jem and Scout are very surprised. The theme raised by this section is modesty. Just because you have a special ability does not mean that you should use it unnecessarily.
He was helping Jem, despite the emotional risk that he could get attacked by Bob Ewell. Both Atticus defending Tom Robinson and Boo protecting Jem demonstrate how Lee uses indirect characterization to define bravery as helping someone despite the emotional risk. Throughout her novel, Lee secondly defines bravery as protecting someone despite physical risk. My first example of bravery is when Atticus shoots the dog acting strange in the street. Calpuria sees the mad dog on the street and warns the neighborhood.
Honor is Atticus’s first priority because he refuses to hunt even if he is an amazing shooter. He refuses to hunt because Atticus is “civilized in his heart.” “Atticus realized that God had given him an unfair advantage over most living things and he will not shoot anything unless he had to. (Lee, page 130) Atticus is also not proud of being the deadest shot in Maycomb County.
Atticus’s actions of sticking up for what is right helps convey the theme because although he didn’t win or get the results he wanted, he still showed empathy for those of color and by putting up a strong fight it shows him trying to gain empathy for Tom to disrupt the ignorance of the Caucasian people and what they see of the stereotypical idea of people of color. The symbol of the mockingbird helps further convey the theme empathy dispels ignorance in the novel To Kill a
He did not want all those years before where his kids had never seen him shoot a gun and still thought of him as courageous. Atticus makes many illusions throughout the book where their reality is totally different. Atticus
In this quote, Atticus is telling Jem and Scout what they can and can’t shoot at. The advice from this quote is not simply stated, you have to know the symbolic meaning behind it. In the story To Kill a Mockingbird, mockingbirds are symbolic of innocence. The “mockingbirds” in the story are Jem, Scout, Boo Radley, and Tom Robinson. Since they are all innocent people it is a sin to do them wrong.
“I’d rather you shoot at tin cans in the back yard, but I know you’ll go after birds. Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit’em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” Atticus explains to Jem about it being a sin killing mockingbirds, because they are just simply hear to make music for people and do no harm. By him telling Jem this it lets the reader know that he wants his children to make smart decisions, even though he knows what they are going to try to do. Atticus shows that he understands how what he wants of his children to do might not always happen, so he tells Jem that he understands he will shot birds but made Jem know that it is a sin and he will be disappointed in him for shooting one if he
It took courage to fight for him, even though everyone else told him not to. He did it because he believed Tom was an equally good men. Atticus’ actions show how it takes bravery and beliefs to ignore customs and fight for justice. Atticus shows it takes courage to defend those who are treated improperly.
First, Harper Lee uses symbolism throughout To Kill A Mockingbird to show that moral education is the most important education. Atticus teaches Scout to “shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (Lee 119). Atticus says this because he does not want Scout to harm them since the mockingbirds have not done anything to Scout. This lesson also applies to people because if people have not harmed anyone Atticus believes that they should be kindly and with respect. Atticus believes that teaching his kids to have good morals is important, like in this situation.
However, after the incident occurs, she learns that Atticus actually knows how to shoot, and that he is very good at it. This teaches her not to judge a book by its cover, because originally she thought Atticus was just a feeble old man with no real talents, but she learns
In addition, Atticus went against his moral code and principles he had always upheld before, especially in the Tom Robinson trial. Now, Atticus is faced with the decision of abiding by the law or breaking it in order to do the right thing. He knew that incarcerating a man, as withdrawn and solitary as Arthur would have been unforgivable. Especially, after Arthur had performed a great deed by saving his children 's life. He knew that exposing him would be an awful way of repaying him; it would have been like "shooting a mockingbird."
Scout and Jem have just received air guns from Atticus for Christmas, and they are learning what they’re not allowed to shoot at. Atticus tells them, “‘Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird’. That was the only time I ever heard Atticus say it was a sin to do something” (119). This is the first time Scout hears Atticus say it is a sin to do something, which means that Atticus is being serious. We know that he hates shooting, because he has kept his skill as a marksman a secret, so when he tells the children they can try to shoot bluejays but not mockingbirds, he gives the idea that mockingbirds are special.