This piece is extremely usefull for anyone studying To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. It provides some really helpful and interesting incites into the author and the character of Atticus.
Atticus is a composed, wise and brave old man. He is a very caring man and a very good father. He is also very intelligent and a good lawyer. Harper Lee does not tell us any of these things directly. So how do we know so much about Atticus?
Harper Lee is a brilliant writer, a master of symbolism and literary devices. She uses many different situations to bring out the various aspects of Atticus’s character. We are not told anything about Atticus, but by creating various hoops through which Atticus must jump; Harper Lee shows us a lot about the complex character of Atticus.
One thing that is at first evident, is that Atticus takes care of his two children mostly on his own, his wife having died when Scout, his daughter and the younger of his two children, was only two. Atticus takes care of his children in a very unique way, he relies on mutual respect and to a certain extent, equality. This is at first evident in the fact that his children call him ‘Atticus’ instead of ‘Father’, showing how he considers them his equal. Quite certainly this was very unusual in the 1930s, especially in the Southern states where respect, for women and your elders, was at the foundations of society. But it shows that Atticus is more concerned about his relationship with his children than he is concerned about what people thought of him. The way Harper Lee uses such a subtle thing to demonstrate so much about Atticus is brilliant.
In the days in which the book is set, it was common for parents to be very strict, unforgiving and distant from their children. Atticus’s way of parenting is different though, he acts more like a friend to his children, helping them stay out of trouble and succeed. When the neighbors become angered by Dill’s cover story ‘we were playing strip poker’ Atticus firmly defends his children, persuading the neighbors that all children go through such a phase, and that he was sure they would grow out of it. Aunt Alexandria is a much more traditional woman and she disapproves of Atticus’s methods, claiming that he can not take care of his children. Scout however thinks very highly of him, and the bond he manages to form with his children, while unconventional, is very effective.
The respect that Scout and Jem have for Atticus is very evident. The children admire Atticus, and feel that they should not let him down. This respect is shown when one of Scout’s friends at school insults Atticus in front of Scout. Usually this would have provoked a violent re-action from Scout. Scout however simply walks away from this situation, refusing to fight. This was because Atticus had earlier told Scout to ignore any comments her friends made about him, and to hold her head high avoiding unnecessary violence. Scout felt that she would be letting her father down if she did get into a fight, so, despite being called a coward by her friends, walked away. This shows us two things about Atticus: The first thing it shows is how much Scout loves him, being prepared (usually) to get into a fight just to defend his name. Obviously this love Scout has for Atticus is because of how caring he is and how well he treats her. The event shows us a second thing: that Scout is prepared to accept shame and the loss of her peers’ respect, simply so that she doesn’t let Atticus down. This is shows us cleverly how powerful the bond of respect that Atticus has established really is.
In chapter three, Harper Lee shows us that Atticus is a very considerate and empathetic man. He says to Scout: “You never really understand another person until you consider things from his point of view-until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” Here Atticus is explaining that to really figure someone out, you must think as though you are them, considering their position, background and emotions. It really shows us not only his awareness and considerateness but also how keen he is to raise his children in a positive way. This quote persuades us, as readers to believe that Atticus has risen above the racial prejudices of his community to be the bigger man.
The defining case of Atticus’s life is the case in which he attempts to defend Tom Robinson from being found guilty of rape. This brings out many elements of Atticus’s character:
When Scout asks why Atticus is defending Tom, even though the trial appears a foregone conclusion, Atticus says: “In the life of every lawyer there is a case which has a significant influence on his life, this is mine.” Atticus believes he cannot maintain his authority if he doesn’t defend Tom, that it is his job and duty to society, as a lawyer, to defend whoever his client happens to be, no matter what the odds of success are.
The unquestioning willingness of Atticus to defend Tom Robinson, a Negro, in court shows how much less he is affected by racial prejudices than anyone else. Atticus puts all he has into clearing Tom Robinson, winning the respect not only of the whites: “..he’s the only man in these parts who can keep a jury out so long.” (A quote which shows the caliber of lawyer people appreciate him as.) but also of all of the Negroes: “The Negroes were getting to their feet..”. The later quote creates a powerful image. Atticus did not only defend the rights of Negroes in court, he was integral in making sure Tom went to trial at all. When a lynch mob turned up outside Tom’s jail Atticus stood in their way, determined for Tom to be given a fair trial. In a society of racial prejudices and segregation, Atticus manages to be a bastion of equality and understanding. He is respected not only by the white residents of Maycomb but also by the Negroes. Harper Lee shows this in many ways: His strong relationship with Calpurnia and the way he treats her not like a maid, but almost like a friend who helps around the house. The way he never speaks a word against Negroes, something which almost every other character in the book does at some point. And the way he says: "As you grow older you’ll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don’t you forget it— whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, of how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash.” In this quote Atticus effectively bad mouths almost every white person in Maycomb. He expresses without a shadow of doubt he view that Negroes and whites absolutely are completely equal.
This attitude which Atticus has was not the common attitude in much of 1930s America. Segregation was widespread, with the Negroes, supposedly equal to the whites in the eyes of the law having to use different toilets, different drinking areas, and even different busses to the whites. Generally Negroes were not treated well, were blamed for most things and lived in different areas. The fact that Atticus does not agree with all of this racism, shows a lot about him. The way he thinks is years ahead of his time.
At one point in the book Scout realizes that Atticus is somewhat older and feebler than the fathers of her friends. What she doesn’t realize is that Atticus is in fact much less feeble than she thinks. When a mad dog wandering down the street creates a precarious situation, Atticus is forced to reveal a hidden part of his character. The sheriff arrives to shoot the mad dog, but instead of shooting the dog himself, he hands the gun to Atticus and demands he do it instead. It is later revealed that Atticus was once considered the best marksman in the area, his skill with a rifle being unmatched. Atticus however is a man with very strong moral views, and refused to use his talent, refusing to wield a gun. The fact that he would discard such a skill simply because of his moral compulsions shows us how strong and righteous a man Atticus is. In addition to this Atticus does in the end shoot the mad dog, showing his consideration for others to be more important that his personal feelings.
Aunt Alexandra’s conversations with Atticus bring out yet more about Atticus. Alexandra is a strong believer in the importance of family breeding, and also thinks that Atticus should sack Calpurnia. Atticus explains how he likes to let the children out to play, his wise philosophy is that like any other animal, the children will learn best by going out into the outside world, and learning about it first hand. He knows their society is full of harsh realities which children are often screened from. Atticus doesn’t believe in stopping the children from learning about the world, stating: “This is their home, sister. We’ve made it this way for them, they might as well learn to cope with it.” This is a very intelligent statement, by exposing his children to the problems and realities of the world, they can better understand it, and will come out a step ahead of the pack in later life.
The final key point to be considered is the underlying calmness and composure which Atticus is ruled by. When in court Atticus is incredibly calm, his questions carefully considered. Each of the questions has a specific purpose giving Atticus much more information than it might seem. An example is when Atticus asks Bob Ewell to prove that he is literate by writing his name. Bob then writes with his left hand, proving to Atticus and the courtroom that Bob is left handed. This shows the skill Atticus has as a lawyer. He figures out that Bob is left handed without directly asking the question, catching Bob off guard. Atticus possesses composure in the face of adversity. When Bob Ewell spits on him and threatens to kill him, Atticus does nothing claiming he is: “Too old to fight.” To stay calm when provoked so much requires a special character.
It is also important to consider what is potentially the only fault (for want of a less harsh word) of Atticus: Complacency. Atticus shrugs off the threats of Bob Ewell, an act which nearly gets his children killed. The problem he has is that he puts too much faith in the strength of human nature. He assumes Bob Ewell would not harm two innocent children. This misplaced faith is also evident earlier in the book, when he is determined to help Tom Robinson, even though a jury was extremely unlikely to overlook their racial prejudices and let Tom off. Atticus hopes that with enough evidence the jury might make the right decision. He is wrong.
The philosophies and morals (as such as there are) of this book are not told to you directly. Harper Lee reveals them to you through Atticus. In the book Atticus can be seen as the one (nearly) faultless character. Harper Lee portrays him as having many good qualities, and few if any bad qualities. Atticus guides many of the other characters in the book. He is the rock upon which many stand, his wisdom and fairness reflect the message Harper Lee is trying to convey to the reader, one of equality and considerateness. Harper Lee has created Atticus to be admired, respected and loved. The reader is supposed to look up to Atticus, to aspire to follow his teachings and ideas. He is the moral fortress of the book, a character who could easily have been modeled on Confucius himself.
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