Life Lessons from Atticus Finch

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Life Lessons From Atticus Finch “Atticus was feeble: he was nearly fifty…we felt (this) reflected upon his abilities and manliness (118).” Scout says this about her father in the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. At the beginning of the novel, Atticus Finch’s children, Jem and Scout, do not fully understand their father’s unique and honorable qualities. Atticus is the furthest thing from feeble and weak. He is one of the wisest, bravest and most empathetic characters in the book. Jem and Scout eventually learn the truth about their father as they watch him deal with some very difficult circumstances in the prejudiced, southern town of Maycomb. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch’s actions and conversations with his children expose important themes by teaching life lessons about the meaning of true courage and the value of seeing things from others’ perspectives. Through his words and actions, Atticus Finch reveals the theme of true courage by showing his children that courage is much more than physical strength and bravery. Atticus teaches his children about mental strength, moral courage, and determination by making Jem read to an unpleasant, dying neighbor, Mrs. Dubose. Atticus explains, "Instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what (149).” Mrs. Dubose shows bravery by overcoming her morphine addiction before she dies. Atticus wants to let his kids know that true courage is not just a strong hero, but it is a person who does the right thing no matter what. The children learn that Mrs. Dubose is “mean” because she is in great pain. She has the courage to suffer through the withdrawal so she can die free from painkillers. Atticus also tries to teach the children that physical fighting is
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