The Role Of Atticus Finch In 'To Kill A Mockingbird'

TKAM Essay Revision

A role model isn’t someone who is just successful but, someone who has the same experience as most people. The novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee demonstrates that Atticus Finch is a true role model. Over the course of the story, Atticus stands up for his belief no matter his situation, and respects everyone no matter who they are and behaves as a true father.

Even if the odds are against him Atticus still stands up for what he believes in."If you shouldn't be defendin' him, then why are you doin' it?...For a number of reasons," said Atticus. "The main one is, if I didn't I couldn't hold up my head in town, I couldn't represent this county in the legislature, I couldn't even tell you or Jem not to do something

"Jem, see if you can stand in Bob Ewell's shoes a minute. I destroyed his last shred of credibility at that trial, if he had any to begin with. The man had to have some kind of comeback, his kind always does. So if spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that's something I'll gladly take. He had to take it out on somebody and I'd rather it be me than that houseful of children out there. You understand?" (Ch. 23). Atticus tells his children to avoid prejudice because perhaps sometimes others are struggling with a concern that they are bothered about. Atticus also tells Scout to put herself in another's shoes because, she’s making decisions she’s not too young to make but, she’s too inexperienced to make. Atticus did not even judge the Ewellś for being the disgrace of the country nor Bob Ewell for attempting to take the children's lives. Atticus is willing to put himself in other people’s shoes no matter what they are like. 'Your father's right,' she said. 'Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.'" (pg. 90) In addition to bearing the title of the novel, this passage demonstrates yet again how similar Atticus and Mrs. Maudie are. Both agree quite strongly that

¨he played with us, read to us, and treated us with courteous detachment.” (Ch.1). Atticus cares about his children. He also plays and worries about his children which shows how much he cares and loves them. He hardly treats his children like children more but like a very close friend and all children all ever wanted to be treated like is a adult. Also he knows his responsibilities as a parent and a human being. “Didn’t you know you daddy’s--hush heck”(pg. 97). The best type of person is someone that can talk through a problem without yelling. If he can go through the whole book like this he could get points for that alone. Because Atticus doesn't yell he doesn't hurt other people. This shows with his marksmanship. He shot a dog in the air without his glasses on. Marksman like that only comes along every blue moon. Because he is a lawyer he he defends people morally. Bringing it all together he has a good parenting set with not yelling, a strong background of defending and when called upon can actually defend himself. He is quite the role