Most people have somebody that they have faith and courage in. Someone who they can rely on in about every situation. In Harper Lee’s book To Kill a Mockingbird, Miss Maudie says, “Whether Maycomb knows it or not, we’re paying the highest tribute we can pay a man. We trust him to do right. It’s that simple” (316). When the citizens are in need of somebody to help, the town of Maycomb always searches for Atticus Finch because they know he is the perfect man for any task that he is called upon to endeavor. The best way to honor the sacrifice of Atticus Finch is for readers to believe in him as well.
Atticus is a man who risks his reputation in order to prove a man’s innocence. Throughout the book, Atticus is perceived as a role model because he is a man who believes in justice and equality for everybody, a vision that not many people of Maycomb had during a time period of discrimination. During a time period where injustice and discrimination floods the streets of Maycomb, equality is not common. Though equality is not favored, Atticus still attempts to display justice by teaching teaching his children to treat others with equality.
In Harper Lee’s book To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus says, “Son, I have no doubt that you’ve been annoyed by your contemporaries about me lawing for niggers, as you say, but to do something like this to a sick old lady is inexcusable. I strongly advise you to go down and have a talk with Mrs. Dubose” (138). Even though Mrs. Dubose publicly scolds Atticus, he still treats her with respect. Regardless of whether or not somebody likes him, Atticus still morally believes that everybody should be treated with equality. Most people wouldn’t feel the obligation to treat a disrespectful woman with such respect and equality.
But, Atticus believes that Jem shouldn’t strike back just because Mrs. Dubose strikes out at him. He wants Jem to be the “bigger” person in the situation. Although Jem is four years older than his younger sister, Scout, Atticus does not allow for Jem’s age to allow him to be more superior. In the book, Atticus says, “Let’s leave it at this: you mind Jem whenever he can make you. Fair enough? ” (185). Atticus does not form his resolution on age, but on coequality. Jem is unable to use his age to seem more powerful than Scout. Atticus not only wants his children to display equality amongst neighbors, but also amongst each other.
The relationship between Atticus and his kids is also very mature and equal. In the book, Atticus stated, “When a child asks you something, answer him, for goodness’ sake. But don’t make a production of it. Children are children, but they can spot an evasion quicker than adults, and evasion simply muddles ’em” (116). Most people treat children as if they are worth less just because of their age. But, Atticus does not. His parenting style differs from most people. Atticus treats his children as mature adults. He answers any question that they may have with honesty.
He utilizes situations as opportunities to pass his moral values on to Scout and Jem. He treats his children with equality, in the sense that they are just as equal as he is. Atticus is a man who strongly believes in justice and equality. He teaches his children that treating others with justice is significant. Though it may not be the most popular thing, it’s the most moral thing. Atticus maintains a justful relationship between him and his children, hoping they will treat others with the same respect and equality. Communities are often stronger together as one, then as individuals.
Atticus greatly emphasises the significance of equality and justice throughout his community. When Atticus Finch takes on the case of Tom Robinson, he is not only defending Tom, but also his beliefs as well. In his eyes, all people are equal, regardless of their race. When Atticus is asked the reason why he is defending Tom, he replies, “For a number of reasons. The main one is, if I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this county in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again” (101).
Atticus defends Tom Robinson because he knows that it is the right thing to do. He takes on the case, hoping to change the evil perspectives of the the community. Atticus is a voice of hope for change. He is defending Tom at a time where not many other people would have the courage to do so. Maycomb is struck with the horrible disease of racism. But, just because the majority believes in something, doesn’t mean it is correct. Throughout the trial, but especially his closing argument, Atticus makes a great attempt to persuade the people in the courtroom to open their eyes and jump into reality.
The reality that blacks are just as equal as whites. In his closing argument, Atticus says, “The witnesses for the state, with the exception of the sheriff of Maycomb County, have presented themselves to you gentlemen, to this court, in the cynical confidence that their testimony would not be doubted, confident that you gentlemen would go along with them on the assumption—the evil assumption—that all Negroes lie, that all Negroes are basically immoral beings, that all Negro men are not to be trusted around our women, an assumption one associates with minds of their caliber” (273).
Atticus encourages the people in his community to separate from their racist beliefs and look at Tom’s case with a different perspective. A perspective that does not include the “evil assumptions” of Negroes. He desires for the jury to see Tom Robinson for more than his skin color, and recognize his innocence. He wants the citizens of Maycomb to see what he sees; that everybody, black and white, deserves justice and equality. Atticus states, “Gentlemen, a court is no better than each man of you sitting before me on this jury.
A court is only as sound as its jury, and a jury is only as sound as the men who make it up” (274). Atticus understands that an institution is only as good as the people who serve it. His confidence in the jury shows that he is trying to encourage them to do what is right, compared to what they feel they obligated to do because of the demands of society. He knows the court systems are not perfect, but he wishes the jury serving will do their duty with a clear mind. He believes in the system he serves, and he is hoping the rest of the community will believe in that as well.
All people should deserve a justice trial and judgment. Although Tom Robinson was convicted guilty, Atticus’s voice was still heard, which is what he ultimately wanted. He wanted the community to see his standpoint, hoping it would make a positive impact. He attempted to persuade the community to abolish their negative perspectives of Negroes. Though Atticus technically lost the case, he still won, morally. A powerful connection between a reader and their book. A connection so strong that allows readers to be impacted by the material inside the book.
Harper Lee’s character, Atticus, not only had an impact on his children or the community, but also the readers. Readers were affected by Atticus’s stand for justice and equality. In the book, Atticus says, “Which, gentlemen, we know is in itself a lie as black as Tom Robinson’s skin. You know the truth, and the truth is this: some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around women-black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men. There is not a person in this courtroom who has never told a lie, who has never done an immoral thing” (273).
As a reader, it is comprehended that Atticus is saying not to judge people because everybody has made a mistake at least once in their lifetime. Nobody is perfect, and the sooner people start to realize that, the better. Blacks are always perceived as the villains, but whites make the same mistakes as blacks. Blacks are equal to whites! Race does not matter. Both races should be treated with the same respect and equality. Atticus also says, “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” (39).
After Scout’s rough first day at school, Atticus tells her how she won’t understand anyone unless it is from their point of view. From looking at somebody’s point of view, it allows for people to understand why they act the way they do. This piece of moral advice was not only directed towards Scout, but to the readers. The message is to live with sympathy and attempt to understand others by “standing in their shoes. ” Although somebody may be different, that does not mean that they should not be treated with justice. Everybody deserves to be treated with justice, regardless of the situation that they are in.
In the book, Miss Maudie says, “Your father’s right. Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy … but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (119). Mockingbirds represent the innocence throughout the book. “Mockingbirds” are good-hearted, innocent people who are destroyed by the wicked. But, Atticus was correct. He states how it is wrong to discipline an innocent person. By persecuting an innocent person, their equality and justice is ripped from underneath them. They are not given a say nor a fair chance.
Atticus is conveying the message that nobody should be punished for an action that they did not commit. Again, not only was Atticus’s children and community affected by his stand for equality and justice, but so were the readers. His stand for equality encouraged others to see from his perspective. People often limit themselves because they are too afraid of what others think about them. But, not Atticus Finch. Atticus Finch stands up for what he believes in despite the negative opinions from the citizens because he wants to teach his children, the community and the readers that everybody should be treated with equality and justice.
He strongly believes that whites and blacks are equal. Regardless of race, Atticus still treats everybody with the same amount of equality. Even though Atticus knew we was going to loose the Tom Robinson case, he still attempted the best he could in order for his voice to be heard. He is a model citizen in the eyes of his children, community and readers. He may not have been able to change the verdict, but he definitely influenced the minds of the people sitting in the courtroom and outside of the book.
