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How Is Atticus Finch A Good Role Model

839 Words4 Pages

Bella Duel
Mrs. Thilken
Period 4
18 May 2023
Folks are Folks
“All men are created equal” - Thomas Jefferson. Society has evolved in abolishing racism and standing up to prejudice. People who have the character of Atticus Finch pave the way for change. The historical fiction novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, uses Atticus Finch as an inspiration and role model for defending racism and prejudice. He takes on the challenge, no matter what his town's standards Atticus keeps his head held high. Atticus Finch challenges prejudices and racism in Maycomb society, displaying courage when accepting a difficult court case, treating people of color equally, and bringing up his children well-rounded. Against society's standards, Atticus adopted …show more content…

Innocently charged with the alleged rape, Tom Robinson is appointed with the lawyer Atticus to defend his case. Bravely, he takes on the case and leaves everyone in a state of shock. Due to Tom’s race, the common prejudice assumes he is guilty yet Atticus stands up in his defense. Even though Atticus knows he will lose and “licked a hundred years before we started” he believes that it is, “no reason for us not to try and win”(Lee 87). Lee’s use of the allusion “licked a hundred years before we started” references a historical loss in the South in the Civil War. Atticus made a connection and compared himself to the Confederate forces. They both knew they were “licked” before they started, but still fought with everything they had. Atticus knows very well that he has no chance of winning this trial. Even though he is aware of the soon loss, it does mean that Atticus is going to try his very best to fight for Tom. During his closing argument in Tom’s defense, Atiticus challenges the judge and the jury to forget about the social prejudice at the time. He reminds them that inside the courtroom all prior judgments and preconceived notions must be left outside the door, “But there is one way in this country in which all men are created equal- there is one human institution that makes a pauper the equal of a Rockefeller, the stupid man the equal of an Einstein, and the ignorant

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