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Why Is Atticus Finch Important In To Kill A Mockingbird

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In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch, a highly respected lawyer, plays a pivotal role in instilling his children with a profound understanding of morals and values. Atticus accomplishes this by engaging in heartfelt conversations with his children, providing them with insight into his motivations and actions. Throughout the book, Atticus's teachings emerge as crucial lessons, illuminating the significance of empathy, courage, and the pursuit of fairness and justice. Firstly, Atticus exemplifies the importance of empathy by displaying compassion towards the people of Maycomb, even when faced with their animosity. Atticus demonstrates his empathy for troubled individuals when explaining to Jem the importance of understanding …show more content…

He emphasizes the importance of maintaining respectability within the community. Atticus is demonstrating to Jem how significant acting morally is to his values. Atticus states ,“The main one is, if I didn’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”(Lee 86). Atticus is saying that if they were to act in a way that's not respectable, they wouldn’t be able to hold their head up in their community. Atticus’s ability to perform his roles in the society would be compromised if he were to act immorally. Atticus also talks about the importance of fairness and justice when talking about the court systems. In the novel Atticus states,“Our courts have their faults, as does any human institution, but in this country our courts are the great levelers, and in our courts all men are created equal”(Lee 233). Atticus says that the court systems are a critical component of an equal society where everyone is treated the same regardless of their background. He acknowledges that human institutions are not perfect but the court system is able to bring everyone at the same level to provide a fair chance for everyone in resolving

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563 Words | 3 Pages

By mentioning this to the court he also brought in some pathos, something that appealed to emotions. Everyone can relate to not fitting in at one time or other. That it’s ok if you do something that other people is wrong, but you feel is right. I think Atticus does a good job of combining ethos, logos, and pathos into one strong statement. I think the statement that best represents this is, “I’m no idealist to believe firmly in the integrity of our courts and in the jury system – that is no ideal to me, it is a living, working a reality.

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235 Words | 1 Pages

In Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus Finch symbolizes morality and integrity, his parenting style is unlike any one else’s in Maycomb and is accepted by few. He treats his children as he would anyone else in Maycomb, with respect and without

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Hannah Flesch Mrs. Allen English 1: Part 1 General Program 29 April 2024 Quote Analysis Essay Introduction Empathy is a very powerful emotion that helps people understand and share the feelings of others. In some works of literature, empathy plays a crucial role in character development and the overall message of the story. One book in particular really dives into the subject of empathy, and that is Harper Lee's classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. This captivating classic follows Atticus Finch, a small-town lawyer in Maycomb, Alabama, who teaches his children Scout and Jem valuable lessons about empathy. One quote in the book that really shows you the message of the book is when Atticus is talking to his daughter Scout

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A court is only as sound as its jury, and a jury is only as sound as the men who make it up" (Chapter 17, page 273). This statement emphasizes Atticus' belief that the court system and the people within it are only as good as the individuals within them, as well as his belief in the ability of the people to be fair and just. Furthermore, Atticus teaches his children, Scout and Jem, to see the world through different eyes and to treat others with empathy and understanding. As Atticus says to Scout, "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it" (Chapter 3, page 30).

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The fact that Jem argued back to Atticus’s fatalistic claim proves that he understands the moral issue and unfairness of prejudices, and how significantly it universally affects their society; yet another one of the furtive issues that the world expects you to figure out by

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From the late 1870s through the mid-1960s, Jim Crow laws affected many African Americans. With these laws, blacks were given very limited rights and were often victims of unfair judgment. In Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch, a highly educated lawyer, gets a case where he needs to defend a black man named Tom Robinson. Atticus faces many challenges, including judgment from the white community in his town and questions from his kids about the trial. Atticus demonstrates moral integrity, bravery, and empathy in response to conflict, which connects to the idea that one should achieve social justice by following morals, taking a stand when no one else will, and understanding other people’s perspectives.

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827 Words | 4 Pages

Through her novel, the characters Scout and Atticus symbolize the importance and impact of empathy, even when one’s actions seem undeserving of it. Atticus -- a lawyer, a father, but most importantly, a man of moral righteousness and empathy. While

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In Harper Lee's classic novel, "To Kill a Mockingbird," Atticus Finch serves as a compelling embodiment of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream of a just and equal society. Atticus is a principled, wise, and compassionate lawyer who, in the racially charged setting of 1930s Maycomb, Alabama, stands as a beacon of moral integrity and racial tolerance. He not only supports the ideals of equality and justice but also demonstrates them in his actions and interactions with others. One of Atticus’s main ways in which he embodies Dr.King is through his commitment to treating everyone with respect and fairness, regardless of one's race.

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11. The last Sentence in Chapter 9 of to kill a mockingbird is “But I never realized out how Atticus knew I was listening, and it was not until I was older that I realized he wanted me to hear every word he said”. Atticus knew that scout was a nosy child so he discussed why he chose to help Tom Robinson. Atticus discussed this, because in time he knew that she will know what is the right thing to do, and not judge someone by there color. This was important for the rest of the story, because the story has a lot to do with black people and racism.

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793 Words | 4 Pages

Jay Gatsby was a handsome, rich man who lived in a huge mansion in the Long Island village of West Egg. Gatsby was a dreamer who always envisioned a bigger lifestyle than he grew up on. Gatsby had two main ways of making his income, and that was through an alcohol business and buying several pharmacies. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, Gatsby had two American dreams. The first was to be very rich and successful and the second was to be married and have a life with Daisy.

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Empathy Unveiled: A Study of To Kill a Mockingbird Empathy is critical in developing interpersonal relationships and fostering understanding and compassion between individuals. It is often seen as a tool for overcoming prejudice and promoting social justice. However, despite its potential for positive change, applying empathy in the face of racism and misogyny is a complex and challenging issue. In a world where systemic inequalities and ingrained biases persist, truly understanding and empathizing with those different from us can seem daunting. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, through the lens of Scout Finch, the novel presents a nuanced portrayal of the challenges and obstacles that individuals face in trying to understand and empathize

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477 Words | 2 Pages

In 'To Kill A Mockingbird' the idea of living according to one's beliefs requires courage through the character of Atticus Finch. As a moral compass in the novel, Atticus embodies the importance of following one's conscience despite societal pressures. When defending Tom Robinson, a falsely accused black man, Atticus declares, "Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win" (Pg 76). This quote highlights Atticus's unwavering commitment to justice, even in inevitable defeat. His willingness to confront the deeply ingrained racism of Maycomb County exemplifies the courage needed to challenge prevailing opinions.

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610 Words | 3 Pages

Atticus teaches his children to see things from other people's perspectives and not to judge them without understanding their point of view. This quote highlights the importance of empathy in understanding and addressing the problems of racism and

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545 Words | 3 Pages

He is trying to be a good role model and teach them to be respectful because Jem and Scout will learn by how Atticus acts and what he says. Atticus tries to show good demonstrations of what he says and how he reacts to things because “Kids listen to and watch what their parents do, taking everything in” (Peterson). For instance, if a parent starts to yell, cry, act happy, or show/say any strong emotions, their children will start to notice and pick up on these acts. Parents should act calm in a situation and not lash out so their children do not learn to do the same. Atticus acts calm when he found Scout and Jem in the courtroom.

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Many people forget the simplistic and common values that their child selves once held; values such as innocence and bliss, which children have always had since humans have walked the Earth. Their inability to see the harsher side of life has inspired many tales and exciting adventures from their point of view, which always adds an interesting way of thinking about the world. People so often lose this innocence that they fail to see and admire some of the things only kids can see. This much and more is most certainly true of Jean Louise Finch, the narrator and main character of Harper Lee’s famous book, To Kill a Mockingbird. Jean Louise, also known as Scout in the story, has many admirable qualities as a kid because she has the ability to think beyond herself and shows courage to the people around her.

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