Different Aspects of Atticus

Atticus is a proud and modest man with a calm character and a strong sense of justice and he agrees to defend Tom Robinson because if he refuses to do so then “he couldn’t hold his head up in town”. This shows that if he did refuse then he would be ashamed of himself and that self-pride is far more important to him than popularity. “I’ve got to live with myself” is how he explains to Scout his determination to defend Tom Robinson. He does not want to take this case but sees it as a duty.
When Miss Maudie says, “Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets”, it becomes apparent that she means that Atticus is kind-hearted and always wanting to do the right thing both for his children and for Tom Robinson. In other words he is just plain and simple yet he acts like this wherever he is.
Atticus shows a lot of courage and behaviour in many instances throughout the story, not by fighting or killing, but by standing up for what he believed in a civilized way. His strongest motivation, however, were his kids. He wants to be a good example for his kids and instil in them a strong sense of moral values. One time Scout asks him why he had taken a case he knew he was not going to win and he responded by saying, "For a number of reasons. The main one is if I didn’t, 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.” In other words, he would not have been able to talk to his kids about justice and standing up for what one believes when he himself had not stood for what he believed in. He wants to know that there is no reason for him to hang his head in shame and shy away when he is walking down the streets. Proud people tend to be arrogant and snobbish, but instead he is neither. He never boasts about his talent and certainly would disapprove Scout or Jem boasting on his behalf. Atticus has many talents and regardless of these achievements he never assumes...