How Is Atticus Finch Portrayed In To Kill A Mockingbird

An innocent black man, a selfless lawyer, and a misunderstood recluse all face the overwhelming prejudice and stereotypes of Maycomb County, which affects the way in which they live. Each man plays a pivotal role in the society of Maycomb County, and although they each live divergent lifestyles, they are all mockingbirds in their own unique way. In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee compares Atticus Finch, Tom Robinson, and Boo Radley to mockingbirds to show that innocent men are victims of society’s prejudice. The first character that can be compared to a mockingbird in the novel is Atticus Finch. Throughout the novel, Atticus’s integrity reveals that he is an innocent man who only intends to help the community. In chapter nine

This quote reveals that Atticus can be compared to a mockingbird because while he is discussing why he decided to defend Tom Robinson to Scout, he goes in knowing he is more than likely going to be defeated, but he knows it is the right thing to do. Atticus is an innocent man trying to do his job, but is going to be defeated by the prejudice of Maycomb County; therefore, he is a mockingbird. Another reason why Atticus can be compared to a mockingbird is because of the incident involving Bob Ewell. While Atticus was leaving the post office one morning, “Mr. Bob Ewell

During the trial, Atticus reveals that since Mayella was hit on the right side of her face, the one who abused her must have been left-handed. Later, Scout describes an observation she makes about Tom and says, “His left arm was fully twelve inches shorter than his right, and hung dead at his side. It ended in a small shriveled hand, and from as far away as the balcony I could see that it was no use to him” (Lee 211). This observation that Scout describes adds more evidence to Atticus’s claim that Tom Robinson was falsely accused of raping Mayella Ewell. Scout’s observation also compares Tom to a mockingbird because he is physically disabled, which fits the description Miss Maudie gives of a mockingbird in the book. Another example of how Tom is affected by the prejudice of Maycomb County is that he is falsely accused of raping Mayella Ewell. When Mayella takes the stand during the trial, she claims that Tom attacked her and then proceeded to rape her: “He come in the yard an’ I went in the house to get him the nickel and turned around an ‘fore I knew it he was on me. Just run up behind me, he did. He got me round the neck, cussin’ me an’ sayin’ dirt- I fought’n’hollered, but he had me round the neck” (Lee 205). Even after Atticus reveals overwhelming evidence that Tom was not the one that harmed Mayella, Mayella still sits at the witness chair