According to Shakespeare’s “Seven Stages of Man” monologue, mankind is divided into seven phases in life, in which all pass through. The seven stages are the Infant stage, Schoolboy stage, Lover stage, Soldier stage, Justice stage, Pantaloon stage and the Oblivion stage. These stages don’t depend on physical age, but also lifestyles and maturity. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch represents three of these seven stages. Through the way he communicates with others and how he handles the Tom Robinson case, Atticus resembles the stages of the Schoolboy, Justice, and Soldier.
To begin with, Atticus shows the stage of the Schoolboy. Shakespeare writes,” And then the whining school-boy...creeping like a snail Unwillingly …show more content…
Shakespeare describes the soldier as, “Jealous in honour”, or in other words, someone whose emphasis is his own honor. When Scout asks Atticus why he is defending Tom even though he doesn’t have to he replies,” ‘...I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again.’ ” (Lee 77). This case is a matter of self esteem. He feels that if he can’t do his job as a lawyer, he wouldn’t be able to stand up to his own kids or as he previously says , ” ‘represent this county in the legislature’ “ (Lee 77). Shakespeare also describes a soldier as one who ”[Seeks] the bubble reputation Even in the cannon's mouth.” (Springboard 361). Soldiers are willing to put themselves in a position of imminent death for the sake of their reputation. Atticus's involvement in the case is comparable to this analogy. When asked by Scout why he is still defending Tom even though he knows that it is a lost cause, he replies,” ‘Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win’ “ (Lee 78). Although he knows that he won't win the case he is still willing to try. A bubble reputation is a reputation that you can try to achieve even though it is pointless. Atticus knows that there is no point trying , but for the sake of his self-esteem, he still wants to try. He also says that they were licked before they even started the case. This is the equivalent of running into a cannon’s mouth, since he knows …show more content…
Atticus gives his kids good advice in important situations. When Scout beats Cecil up for calling Atticus a n***** lover, Atticus tells her,” ‘you just hold your head high and keep those fists down. No matter what anybody says to you, don’t you let ‘em get your goat. Try fighting with your head for a change. . . it’s a good one, even if it does resist learning.’ “ (Lee 78). A justice will give sound advice that is applicable. This advice given to Scout is wise considering the situation. Fighting with her mind makes much sense in this circumstance, and is a good advice for her, since she isn't so mature. Shakespeare also describes the justice as someone who,”[is knowledgeable in ] modern instances;” (Springboard 361). Atticus shows his knowledge when he avoids conflict with Ms. Dubose, by treating her with kindness even though she constantly hurls insults at him and his family. Scout says,”It was times like these when I thought my father, who hated guns and had never been to any wars, was the bravest man who ever lived” (Lee 104). Atticus knew the situation well enough and was able to act with integrity and avoid conflict. He knows that it is impolite and also not the wisest thing to keep adding fuel to the conflict. The decency of Atticus is also exhibited here as most people would hurl insults back at her or just ignore
To begin with, Atticus shows the stage of the Schoolboy. Shakespeare writes,” And then the whining school-boy...creeping like a snail Unwillingly …show more content…
Shakespeare describes the soldier as, “Jealous in honour”, or in other words, someone whose emphasis is his own honor. When Scout asks Atticus why he is defending Tom even though he doesn’t have to he replies,” ‘...I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again.’ ” (Lee 77). This case is a matter of self esteem. He feels that if he can’t do his job as a lawyer, he wouldn’t be able to stand up to his own kids or as he previously says , ” ‘represent this county in the legislature’ “ (Lee 77). Shakespeare also describes a soldier as one who ”[Seeks] the bubble reputation Even in the cannon's mouth.” (Springboard 361). Soldiers are willing to put themselves in a position of imminent death for the sake of their reputation. Atticus's involvement in the case is comparable to this analogy. When asked by Scout why he is still defending Tom even though he knows that it is a lost cause, he replies,” ‘Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win’ “ (Lee 78). Although he knows that he won't win the case he is still willing to try. A bubble reputation is a reputation that you can try to achieve even though it is pointless. Atticus knows that there is no point trying , but for the sake of his self-esteem, he still wants to try. He also says that they were licked before they even started the case. This is the equivalent of running into a cannon’s mouth, since he knows …show more content…
Atticus gives his kids good advice in important situations. When Scout beats Cecil up for calling Atticus a n***** lover, Atticus tells her,” ‘you just hold your head high and keep those fists down. No matter what anybody says to you, don’t you let ‘em get your goat. Try fighting with your head for a change. . . it’s a good one, even if it does resist learning.’ “ (Lee 78). A justice will give sound advice that is applicable. This advice given to Scout is wise considering the situation. Fighting with her mind makes much sense in this circumstance, and is a good advice for her, since she isn't so mature. Shakespeare also describes the justice as someone who,”[is knowledgeable in ] modern instances;” (Springboard 361). Atticus shows his knowledge when he avoids conflict with Ms. Dubose, by treating her with kindness even though she constantly hurls insults at him and his family. Scout says,”It was times like these when I thought my father, who hated guns and had never been to any wars, was the bravest man who ever lived” (Lee 104). Atticus knew the situation well enough and was able to act with integrity and avoid conflict. He knows that it is impolite and also not the wisest thing to keep adding fuel to the conflict. The decency of Atticus is also exhibited here as most people would hurl insults back at her or just ignore