In the story To Kill a Mockingbird Atticus Finch is largely characterized in chapter 10 and 11. To begin, Scout reveals he is fifty and that Atticus, “did not do the things our schoolmates’ fathers did: he never went hunting, he did not play poker or fish or drink or smoke. He sat in the livingroom and read.” (10.89) These things show that Atticus is down to earth and didn’t have children until later in life. Later Atticus shot a mad dog, when Miss Maudie talks about him she says, “he’s civilized in his heart… I guess he decided he wouldn’t shoot till he had to.” (10.98) She shows the reader that Atticus doesn’t do anything until it is well justified. Thirdly, Atticus tells Scout, “Tom Robinson’s case, is something that goes to the essence