Preview

Examples Of Unshakable Morals In 'To Kill A Mockingbird'

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
850 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Examples Of Unshakable Morals In 'To Kill A Mockingbird'
Trinh Tran
Mrs. Vulic
ENG 1D0
November 13, 2015
845 words
Man of Unshakable Morals
“Stand up for what you believe in, even if it means you’re standing alone.” – Andy Biersack. This standard is shown by Atticus Finch in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mocking Bird. Atticus is a man of unshakable morals. This is demonstrated through his role as a father and a lawyer.
Atticus’ role as a father shows that he is a man of unshakable morals. Firstly, he fights the urge to retaliate against Bob Ewell so he can be a good role model to his son, Jem Finch. He mentions, “‘I destroyed his last shred of credibility at that trial, if he had any to begin with. The man had to have some kind of comeback, his kind always does. So if spitting in my face and threatening
…show more content…
Generally, he risks his life staying outside the jail to protect Tom Robinson even though he does not have to. In the story, Scout states, “We were taking a short cut across the square when four dusty cars came in... Nobody got out. We saw Atticus look up from his newspaper. He closed it, folded it deliberately, dropped it in his lap, and pushed his hat to the back of his head. He seemed to be expecting them.” (Lee 151). Even when Atticus knows there will be an angry mob coming, the principles of wrong and right keep him there to protect Tom Robinson. He is aware that he does not have to stay but he takes his job as a lawyer one step further and ensures the safety of his client because it is the morally right thing to do. Furthermore, Atticus accepts the appointment to Tom Robinson’s case even though he is resented by the people of Maycomb. Atticus explains, “‘There’s been some high talk around town to the effect that I shouldn’t do much about defending this man... If I didn’t, I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this country in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again.’” (Lee 75). Atticus is a man of integrity. He knows Tom Robinson is innocent but a black person in the south will not get a fair shake against a white person. He accepts Tom’s case because he knows it is the right thing to do. Atticus made a moral decision even though that decision was unpopular. Finally, Atticus lives with moral integrity every day. He is described as the same in the house as he is on the streets. “‘This case, Tom Robinson’s case is something that goes to the essence of a man’s conscience – Scout, I couldn’t go to church and worship God if I didn’t try to help that man.’” (Lee 139). Atticus has one set of morals, he has the same for business as he has for family. He is incapable of doing anything that would mention the

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Integrity, or the lack of such, is a huge component in the creation of personal beliefs of a person. Those with integrity show compassion and empathy with many of the decisions they make, and they usually have a strong set of morals; they stand up for what they believe in even in the face of adversity. Atticus Finch, from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, is one such person. Harper Lee helps readers follow the journey of Atticus as he attempts to end the ignorance with which the citizens of Maycomb grew with. In this small town where nothing happens and everything stays the same, a single event causes the citizens to stir and, in a way, “wake up”. As citizens are exposed to these new situations, Atticus forces them to reconsider their personal morals and decide whether they are ethical or not. As they people reflect on themselves, they start to change their perception of what is and is not right. When people are pushed to reflect on the very fundamentals of their way of life, they sometimes find that what they originally thought was fair is actually not so. Lee showcases this by focusing on the changing beliefs of some secondary characters, as well as focusing on Atticus’ moral integrity and…

    • 1791 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Atticus shows integrity through his consistent legal defence of Tom Robinson. In the era Atticus was living, it would have been strongly in his best interest to poorly defend Tom Robinson in court. To defend a black man in a case as hideous as this one (the crime of a black man raping and assaulting a white woman was about as bad as you could get) he was putting his own reputation and safety on the line for even taking the case. But he stayed loyal to Tom and went the extra mile as often as possible to try to prove his innocence. Atticus tries to explain to Scout why he's doing what he's doing in this case, "If you shouldn't be defendin' him, then why are you doin' it?", "For a number of reasons," said Atticus. "The main one is, if I didn't I 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”. He does what he knows in his heart is the right decision and teaches his children to do the same, going against the cultural traditions they experienced regularly. Atticus shows integrity by remaining faithful and moral as a lawyer and a parent, even when just going with the crowd would be the easier and safer route. He sacrificed his reputation, and possibly even his safety and the safety of his children for no other reason that doing what he felt was right.…

    • 1158 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the book “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch shows courage by standing up for his beliefs and by respecting values that he does not share.…

    • 470 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Throughout the book, readers are shown Atticus’ high morals and values and the events in chapter 15 only explore that further. In this chapter, Atticus chooses to put himself in harm’s way in order to do what is right, hence displaying moral courage. After the fellow townsfolk warn him of a lynch mob, the lawyer takes it upon himself to protect his client – Tom Robinson – from the racist mob. He goes out of his way to travel to the town late at night and unarmed, leaving himself very vulnerable. He is a lawyer by profession, not an officer.…

    • 554 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    A little too trusting. During the Tom Robinson case, Bob Ewell was hateful and would threaten Atticus and his children. Shortly after the trial “Mr. Bob Ewell stopped Atticus on the post office corner, spat in his face, and told him he'd get him if it took the rest of his life" (290). Being the gentleman he is, Atticus still respected Bob Ewell and did not think anything of his taunting. Not doing anything is exactly what got Atticus into more disaster. Because Atticus sat back and let Bob do his thing, Atticus’ children were harmed. On an October night Bob Ewell tried to hurt Atticus Finch emotionally by harming his children physically. “Somehow, I could think of nothing but Mr. Bob Ewell saying he’d get Atticus if it took him the rest of his life. Mr. Ewell almost got him, and it was the last thing he did” (358). Being respectful has gotten Atticus Finch very far in his life, but it is also what got him into trouble. Because Atticus deeply respected Bob Ewell, he did not believe Mr. Ewell would go as far as harming his children out of…

    • 667 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    This quote shows that Atticus can keep from getting angry, even in situations like being spit on. "I wish Bob Ewell wouldn't chew tobacco" (Lee ). He has the ability to remain calm in the most difficult situations. He even managed to remain completely calm with Bob Ewell’s testimony. Bob was clearly trying to make the court case into a comedy show, but Atticus never lost his temper. Throughout his whole testimony Atticus remained completely neutral to the situation while most would have lost their patience with Bob. This characteristic further proves that Atticus is the best character in the…

    • 485 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    His main goal in the Tom Robinson trial is not to win, but to show the town of Maycomb that Tom is innocent, and should be treated correctly. While discussing the death of Mrs. Dubose, Atticus informs Scout that things would be getting difficult soon; this shows a lot about his character “This case, Tom Robinson's case, is something that goes to the essence of a man's conscience-Scout, I couldn't go to church and worship God if I didn't try to help that man” (Chapter 11, pg. 139). Atticus reveals that standing for Tom Robinson, against racism, was the right thing to do; if he were to deny it, he would never be able to treat himself or others the same. This sets Atticus apart from everyone else in Maycomb, considering mostly everyone knew that Tom was innocent, though only the courageous and honorable were able to stand up to…

    • 808 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Morality is the principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behaviour. Personal morality is a set of beliefs or code that an individual lives and abides by. To Kill a Mockingbird is an exploration of human morality, and presents a constant conversation concerning the goodness or evilness of people and moral education.…

    • 81 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Atticus Finch Patient

    • 667 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Scout recalls this, “It was Miss Stephanie’s pleasure to tell us this: this morning Mr. Bob Ewell stopped Atticus on the post office corner, spat in his face, and told him he’d get him if it took the rest of his life. ‘I wish Bob Ewell wouldn’t chew tobacco,’ was all Atticus said about it. (pg.290&291)” It takes someone with a very strong character to peacefully stand there while somebody verbally abuses you. You definitely have to be patient with that person to not lose your temper, which could very well turn into a brawl. Atticus knows not to get any more involved with Bob Ewell, which requires being very patient as he lashes all of his built up anger out on him. Atticus could have gotten upset with Mr. Ewell, but his genuinely patient and caring character said otherwise. I think Atticus, when consulted by his children regarding the incident, made it humorous to protect them from any fear they could have experienced. This makes Atticus very loving and protective, which makes me personally respect him more as a…

    • 667 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Atticus Finch makes a tough decision when he chose to get between Tom Robinson and the lynch mob that comes for him. He protected Tom’s life by risking his own. When Atticus was waiting for the men to come and collect Tom, Atticus Finch dismisses Walter, the man looking for Tom Robinson, “You can turn around and go home again, Walter,” (202). Atticus uses his courage to stand up against Walter, and save Tom. When Jem and Scout come, Atticus, for a split second, shows fear. He does not know what is going to happen to them. He did not speak, and he loses all bravery at that point. But, after seeing that Scout easily got the men to leave, he gets much more brave. He is terrified throughout this, but he keeps his calm. He did not know what could have happened at the end of the night, but he still chose to watch…

    • 540 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Atticus Finch

    • 780 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The case Atticus is presented with in To Kill A Mockingbird is one that challenges his morals. The county sheriff, Heck Tate, tells Atticus that he has “everything to lose” from taking on the case. Knowing that he and his children will be looked down upon by the majority of the population in Maycomb County, Atticus decides that he will defend Tom Robinson anyway. When asked why by his daughter Scout, he says that if he did not he,” couldn't hold up [his] head in town, [and he] couldn't represent this county in the legislature”. Atticus knows the right thing to do is to defend Tom, so he would be ashamed of himself if he decided not to. Atticus could have easily turned down the case and spared himself and his children the backlash. Atticus' decision to take on Tom's case provided Tom with a defense attorney that would fight for his release.…

    • 780 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    America is the land of the free. If you're a rich white male, that is. America is also the home of the brave. Until we feel threatened, then everyone panics. What America really is is a land of hypocrisy, where people claim to do justice while simultaneously excluding groups they don't agree with from that justice. People try to fight it, but in the end, it is simple human nature to war with ourselves. America will never treat all people fairly. Some who feel the worst of this prejudice are people of color, women, and people with different religious beliefs.…

    • 586 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Atticus’ decision to defend Tom Robinson shows a ton of courage. Since the story takes place during segregation, a white man defending a black man is frowned upon. Atticus still accepts the case even though he knows he will receive hate from the racist townspeople. Atticus represents Tom Robinson because his conscious makes him feel like it is the right thing to do. He also wants to set a good example for his children and teach them that all people deserve to be treated fairly.…

    • 448 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Atticus Finch a central character in Harper Lee's, To Kill a Mockingbird is a strong example of a moral man. When given the case of Mr. Robinson, a local black man accused of rape, he has the courage and strength to stay true to his beliefs at a time when it was looked down upon, even unheard of to defend African Americans. Atticus Finch puts his social reputation, career, and even his family's safety on the line when he decides to defend Mr. Robinson. Atticus knows it is the moral thing to do, and his defense of the accused is at the core of the justice system he believes in. Atticus is determined to stay true to his values without becoming a moral hypocrite; "but before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience." (Pg 120) However; not all men can be great, and in modern day real life, self-imposed morality is rare. It is the fear of being judged or ostracized that people are paralyzed to use their moral compasses and sometimes make either bad decisions or even no decisions at all to remain true to their beliefs.…

    • 550 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    “...I’d hope to get through life without a case of this kind.” This was said by Atticus, one of the many protagonist’s in the story. In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird is about Scout Finch, another one of the many protagonist’s in the story whose childhood innocence is slowly fading away as she gains more experience with the reality of the world. Scout lives with her brother Jem and her father in Maycomb, Alabama. During Scout’s childhood, she was curious of a mysterious neighbor named Arthur “Boo” Radley,. Midway through the story, Atticus was to represent a black man named Tom Robinson in court, who was accused of raping and beating a white woman After the trial, Scout learns lessons about achieving the ideal image of womanhood. In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, the author, Harper Lee communicates the theme of moral courage by creating conflicts while using symbolic people to help represent the emotions and ideas throughout the book.…

    • 602 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays