Set in the 1930’s in a small Alabama town suffering from the Great Depression, To Kill a Mockingbird tells the story of a young girl named Scout Finch, her brother Jem, their widowed father Atticus and their life in Maycomb county. Through many lessons taught by their father, including how to treat citizens who aren’t white in ethnicity, Jem and Scout learn the true meaning of acceptance and the difference between right and wrong. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee proves that courage can be seen in unlikely characters by portraying Atticus Finch as a man ahead of his time. This can be proved by the individual’s belief in equilibrium, his set of moral values, and his lack of prejudice.
Atticus Finch possessed futuristic thoughts the people …show more content…
For the most part, what he believes can be explained in the simple phrase he expressed to Scout when she asked about being a “nigger lover”: " ‘I do my best to love everybody’ " (108). Unlike others in Maycomb who are racist and obsessed with social protocol, Atticus tries to look at everyone as an individual; even those who are outcasted by society. This includes Boo Radley, Negros and the families who were hit hardest by the Depression. He sees the good in everyone and is committed to making his children feel the same way he does. Compared to Aunt Alexandra, who is very conscious of the town’s customs and chooses to live within its constrictions, Atticus believes that everyone should be treated equally. He allows his children to see both the ugliness and beauty of the world they live in, instead of having them follow whatever others tell them. His values are passed along to his two children, who equally express parts of Atticus in each of their unique …show more content…
It has been established in the population for generations. When Tom Robinson, a clearly innocent man, is put on trial for rape, Atticus takes the job of defending him. The sad part was that both Tom and Atticus knew they were going to lose before the trial even began, based on the colour of Tom’s skin. Never the less, Atticus puts up the best defense for Tom he possibly can. Atticus defends him as an innocent man, not a man of color. During the trial, he is able to point out to the jury that although there are a few black men who are capable of crimes, Tom simply could not have raped Mayella for medical reasons. There were so many flaws in the persecution case, including the outbursted confession of Mayella expressing her father’s involvement. Outraged, Atticus explains that "this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men" (208). His understanding of equality allows him to see clearly that the case has been motivated by racial hatred, and not a valid accusation of crime. Atticus displays a lack of prejudice throughout the novel, as he defends the freedom of a black man, and sends his children to a Negro church along with a woman of colour who raised them. When Scout asks about why certain people are treated differently, Atticus explains "you never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it" (30). Atticus proves time
Atticus Finch possessed futuristic thoughts the people …show more content…
For the most part, what he believes can be explained in the simple phrase he expressed to Scout when she asked about being a “nigger lover”: " ‘I do my best to love everybody’ " (108). Unlike others in Maycomb who are racist and obsessed with social protocol, Atticus tries to look at everyone as an individual; even those who are outcasted by society. This includes Boo Radley, Negros and the families who were hit hardest by the Depression. He sees the good in everyone and is committed to making his children feel the same way he does. Compared to Aunt Alexandra, who is very conscious of the town’s customs and chooses to live within its constrictions, Atticus believes that everyone should be treated equally. He allows his children to see both the ugliness and beauty of the world they live in, instead of having them follow whatever others tell them. His values are passed along to his two children, who equally express parts of Atticus in each of their unique …show more content…
It has been established in the population for generations. When Tom Robinson, a clearly innocent man, is put on trial for rape, Atticus takes the job of defending him. The sad part was that both Tom and Atticus knew they were going to lose before the trial even began, based on the colour of Tom’s skin. Never the less, Atticus puts up the best defense for Tom he possibly can. Atticus defends him as an innocent man, not a man of color. During the trial, he is able to point out to the jury that although there are a few black men who are capable of crimes, Tom simply could not have raped Mayella for medical reasons. There were so many flaws in the persecution case, including the outbursted confession of Mayella expressing her father’s involvement. Outraged, Atticus explains that "this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men" (208). His understanding of equality allows him to see clearly that the case has been motivated by racial hatred, and not a valid accusation of crime. Atticus displays a lack of prejudice throughout the novel, as he defends the freedom of a black man, and sends his children to a Negro church along with a woman of colour who raised them. When Scout asks about why certain people are treated differently, Atticus explains "you never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it" (30). Atticus proves time