In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, one of the main characters is found to be a little different than the others. Atticus Finch, father and exceptional lawyer with a soft side, gives huge impact on the storyline while giving life advice along the way.
Atticus Finch is a widower and the father of two children. He is one of the more prominent people in Maycomb. Atticus, besides being a father, is one of Maycomb’s lawyers. Unlike other lawyers, Atticus is not affected by race; he agrees with the jury so long as the accused party is getting the justice they deserve, whether that be freedom or punishment. Most behavior that Atticus displays in the courtroom or public is the same as the behaviour he displays at home. He is calm, understanding, …show more content…
After Bob Ewell spits in his face because Atticus destroyed his credibility, Atticus says, “I wish Bob Ewell wouldn’t chew tobacco” (Lee 291). Atticus is not mad that Bob spit in his face, not even a little. Atticus finds some humor in it: his only response is that he wished that the man would not have chewed tobacco; but his reason why Atticus is not mad is why it’s my favorite part. Atticus explains to Jem, “... The man had to have some kind of comeback, his kind always does. So if spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that’s something I’ll gladly take…” (Lee 292,293). Atticus is not mad that he was spit on or threatened not because he’s just that way, but because of his compassion for others and their safety. Atticus thinks less of himself and more of others. He would rather Bob Ewell take out anger on him than Mayella or the other children. That’s why I love this part: it’s not because Atticus is some macho tough guy, it’s because of his compassion for others who need it. Plus he thinks Bob Ewell won’t follow through on his threat, saying, “We don’t have anything to fear from Bob Ewell, he got it all out of his system that morning” (Lee …show more content…
What Atticus adds to the storyline is crucial beyond how it would affect the characters. Primarily, Tom Robinson would not have had as much of a chance to be acquitted without Atticus. It was revealed that Atticus was appointed to Tom Robinson on page 218, but the shock to the community was that Atticus “aimed to defend him” (Lee 218). Even though Atticus was appointed to the case, he was going to try to help Tom. Any other lawyer in his position would not have cared because Tom is black. People close to Atticus, like Miss Maudie who said that maybe Judge Taylor appointing Atticus “was no accident” (Lee 289), knew that Atticus was going to defend Tom because he believes in justice and equality. Besides bringing a certain wisdom to the story, Atticus Finch adds a sense of justice and equality, mainly shown in the case, but also shown in how he treats his housekeeper, Calpurnia. He even denies that Calpurnia should leave, telling Alexandra, “Alexandra, Calpurnia is not leaving this house until she wants to. You may think otherwise, but I couldn’t have gotten along without her all these years…” (Lee 82). Later, also on page 82, Atticus goes on to call Calpurnia a “faithful member of this family”. Atticus treats anyone equally and fairly and with the attitude and respect they deserve from
Atticus Finch is a widower and the father of two children. He is one of the more prominent people in Maycomb. Atticus, besides being a father, is one of Maycomb’s lawyers. Unlike other lawyers, Atticus is not affected by race; he agrees with the jury so long as the accused party is getting the justice they deserve, whether that be freedom or punishment. Most behavior that Atticus displays in the courtroom or public is the same as the behaviour he displays at home. He is calm, understanding, …show more content…
After Bob Ewell spits in his face because Atticus destroyed his credibility, Atticus says, “I wish Bob Ewell wouldn’t chew tobacco” (Lee 291). Atticus is not mad that Bob spit in his face, not even a little. Atticus finds some humor in it: his only response is that he wished that the man would not have chewed tobacco; but his reason why Atticus is not mad is why it’s my favorite part. Atticus explains to Jem, “... The man had to have some kind of comeback, his kind always does. So if spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that’s something I’ll gladly take…” (Lee 292,293). Atticus is not mad that he was spit on or threatened not because he’s just that way, but because of his compassion for others and their safety. Atticus thinks less of himself and more of others. He would rather Bob Ewell take out anger on him than Mayella or the other children. That’s why I love this part: it’s not because Atticus is some macho tough guy, it’s because of his compassion for others who need it. Plus he thinks Bob Ewell won’t follow through on his threat, saying, “We don’t have anything to fear from Bob Ewell, he got it all out of his system that morning” (Lee …show more content…
What Atticus adds to the storyline is crucial beyond how it would affect the characters. Primarily, Tom Robinson would not have had as much of a chance to be acquitted without Atticus. It was revealed that Atticus was appointed to Tom Robinson on page 218, but the shock to the community was that Atticus “aimed to defend him” (Lee 218). Even though Atticus was appointed to the case, he was going to try to help Tom. Any other lawyer in his position would not have cared because Tom is black. People close to Atticus, like Miss Maudie who said that maybe Judge Taylor appointing Atticus “was no accident” (Lee 289), knew that Atticus was going to defend Tom because he believes in justice and equality. Besides bringing a certain wisdom to the story, Atticus Finch adds a sense of justice and equality, mainly shown in the case, but also shown in how he treats his housekeeper, Calpurnia. He even denies that Calpurnia should leave, telling Alexandra, “Alexandra, Calpurnia is not leaving this house until she wants to. You may think otherwise, but I couldn’t have gotten along without her all these years…” (Lee 82). Later, also on page 82, Atticus goes on to call Calpurnia a “faithful member of this family”. Atticus treats anyone equally and fairly and with the attitude and respect they deserve from