Character Analysis Of Atticus In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

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Even the greatest people in the world have faults. Atticus the hero from Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird is seen as the most moral and wise figure and is well respected in the Maycomb community. Because he is such an admired figure, Atticus is asked to take on a case that many would refuse, defending a black man. As the children face the racism in their town, do to the trial, they often turn to Atticus for condolence. Atticus has the admirable qualities of compassion, conscience, and restraint, yet, ironically, he is often blinded by these same features. At first, Atticus appears to embody everything a father should. On Scout's first day of school, she watches as Burris Ewell leaves the classroom after the truancy officer has left. She is confused as to why Atticus makes…show more content…
Scout confronts Atticus about this and he tells her,"You never understand a person until you consider things from his point of view. Until you climb into his skin and walk around in it"(30).Atticus is compassionate because he understands that some people need exceptions. However, he also knows that people must follow the law. Atticus teaches Scout that since she is the common folk, she must obey the law. Also, Scout is often having physical altercations with other children. Atticus knows she is better than this and gives her a lecture. He teaches her to, "Hold your head high and keep those fist down. No matter what anyone says to you don't let em' get your goat. Try fighting with your head with a change...it's a good one, even if it does resist learning"(78). Atticus possesses strong restraint which helps him many times. Even when Bob Ewell is yelling and spitting in his face Atticus does not reply forcefully. In turn, Atticus tries to teach Scout this same self control. Finally, Scout experiences a lot of people saying rude things about Atticus due to his willingness to defend Tom Robinson. Atticus consoles her saying,"They're certainly entitled to their own
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