To Kill a Mockingbird

Atticus Finch represents the rational man in a world of highly emotional people. Atticus is a stable and mature figure who is able to cope with the


unreasonable and highly emotional element of the town. He can handle the prejudiced white masses and still deal justly with the underprivileged Negro population. He is one of the few people of the town who understands the individual worth of a person regardless of the color of skin. He is able to defend Tom Robinson solely on the basis of justice and does not allow the color of Tom's skin to prejudice him against Tom's case.




It is necessary to have a man with a high and ideal view of justice defending Tom Robinson because even Atticus knows that the case is hopelessly lost before he begins. He is wise enough to know that the prejud


ices of the southern town will never allow justice to be done, but at the same time, he is determined that the truth be told so that those who convict tom will be aware that they are convicting an innocent man. Accordingly, in the final analysis of the story, Atticus represents the "justice" in the community of Maycomb.




Atticus is also the spokesman of the moral philosophy of the novel. He always teaches his children that,"they must learn to be compassionate and understanding of the problems and conditions of life faced by othe


r people,"He frequently advises Scout that she must be able to step into the shoes of others such as Ewells, Boo Radley, and the Cunninghams. Consequently, he will not allow the children to torment Boo Radley and wants Scout to try to see things from Boo's point of view.




Atticus' relationship with his children is very important in understanding his character. He has an outstanding agreement,"with his children because he treats them as mature adults and tries to explain to them how to meet the problems that are presented to them in an adult world. All of Atticus' relatives feel that he is bringing up...