Character analysis of Atticus Finch

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Charachter Analysis of Atticus Finch Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, from 1960, addresses themes such as racism, prejudice, and bravery. One of the main characters in the novel is Attics Finch. The name Atticus is of Greek origin and means ethical, which suits him perfectly. Atticus Finch is a man of strong ethics, and a contrast to the morally ambivalent society. He tries to teach his children, Jem and Scout, to use their own heads instead of going with the popular opinion. He also never takes a side in an argument. Despite the fact that Atticus can seem old-fashioned, his ways are very revolutionary, something that is pointed out in his way of raising his children. He allows Scout to wear overalls, event though it violates the community code for little girls. He also does not mind that Calpurnia brought Jem and Scout to the colored church, and he accepts Calpurnia as a part of the family. He teaches his children not to discriminate blacks, and that all people are equal. Atticus’ sister Alexandra does not share the same opinion. What concerns Alexandra the most, is other people’s opinion about her and her family. Alexandra represents the outdated point of view, and the double set of moral. She is a Christian, she talks about values and sin, but at the same time she is judging everyone: “The thing is, you can scrub Walter Cunningham till he shines, you can put him in shoes and a new suit, but he'll never be like Jem. Besides, there's a drinking streak in that family a mile wide. Finch women aren't interested in that sort of people." Atticus never talks about or moral. He does not feel the need of hiding himself behind empty words, and to preach about values. The only time he ever said anything about sin, was on page 99: “Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird”. This is the famous line that
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