
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view. Evidenceįirst of all,” he said, “if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you’ll get along better with all kinds of folks. He is not judgmental and understands there are many reasons why people might say or do something, even if he does not agree with it. Tolerant How is Atticus like this?Ītticus is tolerant of people and he always tries to understand why people behave in the way they do. They feel black people are so uncivilized that they are in no position to feel sorry for anyone who is white. He is also pointing out that it is wrong for people to now feel more anger towards Tom simply because he admitted to feeling sorry for a white woman something many people living in Maycomb cannot tolerate. Atticus is being brave in making it obvious that he not only believes in Tom’s innocence but that he also respects him as a man. “And so a quiet, respectable, humble Negro who had the unmitigated temerity to ‘feel sorry’ for a white woman has had to put his word against two white people’s.” AnalysisĮven using the word ‘respectable’ to describe a black man would have shocked many white people in court.
#Atticus finch trial#
He speaks courageously on his behalf, making sure everyone at the trial is aware that Tom is innocent, even if this means he is putting himself in a difficult position among his neighbours, some of whom might turn against him due to his unprejudiced beliefs. Courageous How is Atticus like this?Ītticus makes sure he defends Tom Robinson with compassion and integrity. This is different to many Maycomb residents who treat black people with rudeness and contempt. He remains courteous throughout the novel, even when faced with negative behaviour and treats everyone politely. However, by the end of the novel both Scout and Jem have realised that their father’s bravery comes from being able to stand up for what he believes in, even when the majority of the people around him disagree with him.Ītticus behaves the same at home as he does in the town of Maycomb or when he is at work.
#Atticus finch manual#
To them he appears to be feeble as he does not play football or have a job involving physical, manual work.


He is almost 50 years old when the novel begins and Scout and Jem are rather embarrassed that their father is older than many other parents they know. Atticus can also be seen as Harper Lee’s mouthpiece as the views he expresses about the unfairness of racism and the negativity surrounding intolerance are the same as she herself held. He takes his responsibilities as a parent extremely seriously and encourages both Scout and Jem to be tolerant and fair minded and to always see things from the point of view of other people. He is a single father, his wife having died when Scout and Jem were young. Atticus Finch is a lawyer and the father of Scout and Jem.
