In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus
Finch is unquestionably a character who represents an educated man in the true sense of
the word. For, he is able to step back from his selfish desires and perform noble,
altruistic acts instead. Because of his character, Miss Maudie tells the children that
Atticus is the conscience of the town, doing what they could not do. When he is assigned
the position of defender for Tom Robinson, his sister asks him if he cannot eschew the
task; however, Atticus replies that he is obligated to fulfill the assignment if he
would keep his children from acquiring the "disease of Macomb county." In another
instance, the nobility of his character is evidence when Atticus ignores the vitriolic
insults of Mrs. DuBose, instructing Jem to read to her in retribution for destroying her
camellias. After Mrs. DuBose dies, Atticus explains to Jem that she has been addicted
to morphine, but wanted to die without its dependency. He tells
Jem,
I wanted
you to see something about her--I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of
getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand....She was the bravest
person I know.
That Atticus
is also brave and a man of principle is indicated in his acceptance of the position of
defender to Tom Robinson. For when his sister asks him if he could not have declined to
be this defender, Atticus replies that he is obligated to fulfill the assignment if he
would ensure that his children not contract "Maycomb's usual disease." Later, when
Alexandra worries about the stress that the trial has upon Atticus as the other members
of the community make him do what they lack the courage to do, Miss Maudie wisely
cautions her to be quiet, saying, "...We're paying the highest tribute we can pay a
man. We trust him to do right."
And, while Aunt Alexandra
has the theatrics of her missionary teas, it is Atticus who is the veritable Christian.
This charitableness of Atticus is demonstrated early in the novel when Atticus scolds
Scout and tells her that one must "climb into [another's] and walk around in it" in
order to really understand that person. Similarly, he reprimands the children for
taunting Boo Radley and invading his privacy which should be
respected.
Atticus Finch is also humble. He has been known
as the best shot in town, but the children do not discover this attribute until Atticus
must shoot a rabid dog one day. Afterwards, Miss Maudie tells the children the reason
Atticus has not boasted of his talent: "People in their right minds never take pride in
their talents."
After the children are saved from Bob
Ewell's attack, Atticus Finch, with humility, expresses his gratitude to Boo Radley:
"Thank you for my children."
Atticus Finch deals with
problems with fortitude, charity, reasson, and love. Always he is an example to his
children, loving but firm in what he believes is the right thing to teach them. With
the community he is fair and objective.
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