To Kill A Mockingbird Compare And Contrast Essay

Recently, I have had the literary privilege of reading two great novels, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Go Set a Watchman, both by the renowned Harper Lee. In my reflection of reading these two stories, I viewed one as an innocent example and the other as a wake up call to reality. I agree that the character of Atticus Finch has indeed been added value to – in some ways that most people would not prefer. The fact is, he is the same person in both stories, only to be distinguished by the perspective of Scout and the reader. Most critics would be displeased in Harper Lee because Atticus demonstrated a high moral standard in To Kill a Mockingbird, whereas in Go Set a Watchman, he seems to have downgraded to a bitter old man whose views have been …show more content…
He was the same flawed individual in Mockingbird as he was in Watchman, yet the change of perspective subsides the realism in the former. He defended Tom only because he knew it was the right decision to make. Atticus states his reasoning for defending Tom Robinson in Mockingbird as, “If I didn’t, I couldn’t hold my head up in town, I couldn’t represent this county in this legislature…” This quote is about upholding justice and fairness; even though Tom was African American, Atticus would do what he must to defend him no matter what. Dignity is developed through standing up for what you believe in; Atticus solely believed in justice. Therefore, it did not matter whether or not Tom Robinson was black – he would have defended him either way. In my opinion, Atticus should not be bashed for his dictation in Go Set a Watchman, for his flaws have always been there – just like every man. The two novels produce the same environment, only that one is sugarcoated by perspective. When reality hits, we need to embrace the change, and understand that it has always been there hiding within the shadows. Atticus Finch is one character defined by perspective, as all humans