Why Is Atticus Finch Important In To Kill A Mockingbird

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Harper Lee once wrote in her novel, "To Kill A Mockingbird", "As you grow older, you'll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and dont you forget it - whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, he is trash" (220 35-40). There are people out there who understand the workings of todays world and knows whats right and wrong. This is the case for Atticus Finch, a lawyer ina small town of Maycomb Alabama. Throughout the upbringing of the story he teaches his two young children, Scout and Jem Finch what it means to be a good person and how to love somebody for who he truly is. Jem and Scout trust the word of their elders and…show more content…
Its about creating your own path and setting your own goals. People around the globe seem to follow this rule so well, so what's the differance when it comes to Prejudice and racism? why do people suddenly stop and follow the examples others are putting for them? A good person follows his heart and determines right from wrong on his own. He opens his eyes and looks at the big picture instead of narrowing in on one small idea planted in ones brain that everybody else so ignorantly believes. African-Americans are no differant than us other than the shade of their skin. Still, the evils of human nature guide you to thinking something is wrong with them. Atticus Finch teaches his children from day one, that there is no human being on this earth that isnt equal to any other.In the beginning of the novel, Scout Finch starts her first day at school. She finds herself being taunted by students who call her father names for defending an African-American in court. After school she talks to Atticus about what the names mean. I belive she was too young to understand the concept comepletly but she is taught to not let other peoples opinions influence you and change who you are. "You aren't really a nigger-lover, then, are you?" "I certainly am. I do my best to love everybody... I'm hard put, sometimes – baby, it's never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is, it doesn't hurt you." . A prejudice person uses the term "niggerr-lover" to put out the idea that an induvidual is treating an African-American with special rights. In other words, giving an African-American respect, which was unheard of in the past. Atticus is givin the job of defending Tom Robinson in court against his charges of raping Mayella Ewell. Throughout the entire process of the preparing for the trial, Atticus treats Tom no differantly than he would treat any white man. With respect and kindness.
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