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How Does Atticus Use Moral Dilemmas In To Kill A Mockingbird

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Weislogel 1 Ben Weislogel Mrs. Crays English 9/10 28 April 2017 Atticus, the most Moral of Maycomb In Harper Lee's classic novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus Finch is faced with moral dilemmas and deals with each with the utmost integrity. When Scout asks why Atticus is defending a colored man, he replies "For a number of reasons, the main one is, if I didn't, I couldn't hold up my head in town, I couldn't represent this country in the legislature, I couldn't even tell you or Jem not to do something again"(75). He believed that not doing what was right would forfeit any moral authority he has ever had. A good example of Atticus using moral authority to correct others is when Jem had mutilated Mrs. Dubose's flowers, Atticus forced Jem to visit her and apologize(104). Even when people make choices and take actions that Atticus never would, he still respects them and their opinions(105). Atticus will go to any length to make sure the truth gets …show more content…

Atticus is by far the least prejudiced man in Maycomb, he has no problem with Calpurnia taking Jem and Scout to her church, and no problem with Calpurnia practically raising them. Atticus urges Jem and Scout not to use racial slurs and insults. Atticus stands up for Tom Robinson, is polite with Mayella Ewell, and does not become infuriated by Bob Ewell. He goes directly to the home of Helen Robinson to inform her of her husband's death, which is most likely more than anyone else would do. Atticus proves his unbiased beliefs the most when Bob Ewell spits in his face and he does not become enraged, because he knows that Bob Ewell's ego is all he

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