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How Does Atticus Finch Change

714 Words3 Pages

Changing the world is something everyone has the capability to do. Just not a lot of people do it. There are many things that could be stopping them, whether it's fear, pride, or arrogance. Harper Lee, the author of “To Kill a Mockingbird”, uses Atticus Finch to demonstrate the ideas of creating change. He models these ideas, and uses them to teach his children life lessons. Atticus’ parenting style is focused on teaching and making sure the children know right from wrong. Harper Lee shows that an individual can make change by using Bryan Stevenson’s four steps of change: change the narrative, get proximate, and stand up for what is right. The idea of changing the narrative is to change the misguided norms that have been set in place. In Maycomb …show more content…

In our courts, when it's a white man’s world against a black man’s, the white man always wins.” (253) Atticus is trying to get the kids to better understand that the court will never be fair, the white man will always be in favor. He tries to change the narrative by giving a different perspective to the younger generation. Atticus teaching his kids this will help them understand why they need to be able to change the narrative and understand different people better. The idea of getting proximate is to get close to those that are different, to understand them and their story. Atticus does this by accepting the Tom Robinson case, and by understanding Robinson’s side of the story. Earlier in the book, Atticus and Scout had a discussion about the Cunningham family. Scout brings up her concerns about Walter Cunningham, and the way he lives. Atticus responds to Scout by stating “You never really understand a person’s point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.” (33) Atticus making such a statement shows that he truly understands that you never know someone's truth until you put yourself in their situation. This is what Atticus does, by putting up a good fight for Tom Robinson. He puts himself in the shoes of Tom Robinson to help him try to win the case, and get justice for Robinson. Atticus teaches the kids that everyone deserves a chance at justice, he teaches his kids how to stand up for what is

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