To Kill a Mockingbird - Is Atticus Finch a Role Model?
Throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird Atticus Finch shows great moral fibre. He is an outstanding person who is courageous and a role model to his two young children. He respects all others and he is extremely tolerant. Atticus’ morals are inspiring to his children. He stands up for what is right, no matter what the consequences may be and in the novel he is represented as a symbol of reason and justice. Atticus Finch is a role model to society. This essay will discuss the many ways in which Atticus is shown to be a hero in the novel.
Atticus Finch does not follow what everybody else does, he believes in having an individual conscience and he tries to get his children to follow these morals. He tries to teach Jem and Scout to be fair and unbiased to everyone. He also teaches them that they should always follow their heart and not be influenced by the opinions of others.
"Before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn't abide my majority rule is a person's conscience."
Throughout the novel, Atticus always seems to be able to keep calm. Even in the worst situations imaginable, Atticus stays level-headed. This marvels his children, as they find it difficult to control their anger when people provoke them by saying horrible things about their father. Jem and Scout admire their father greatly for this. Atticus sees things from every perspective and keeps an open mind. A perfect example of Atticus’ level-headedness is when Bob Ewell spits in his face.
"Mr Bob Ewell spat Atticus in his face, and told him he'd get him if it took the rest of his life. ‘I wish - Bob Ewell didn't chew tobacco,' was all Atticus said about it."
When this occurs, Atticus simply walks away from Bob Ewell and in the meantime teaches his children a valuable lesson. Never get caught up in the heat of the moment.
"No matter what anybody says to you, don't let them get your goat. Try fighting with your head for a change"
Atticus teaches respect
Atticus Finch does not follow what everybody else does, he believes in having an individual conscience and he tries to get his children to follow these morals. He tries to teach Jem and Scout to be fair and unbiased to everyone. He also teaches them that they should always follow their heart and not be influenced by the opinions of others.
"Before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn't abide my majority rule is a person's conscience."
Throughout the novel, Atticus always seems to be able to keep calm. Even in the worst situations imaginable, Atticus stays level-headed. This marvels his children, as they find it difficult to control their anger when people provoke them by saying horrible things about their father. Jem and Scout admire their father greatly for this. Atticus sees things from every perspective and keeps an open mind. A perfect example of Atticus’ level-headedness is when Bob Ewell spits in his face.
"Mr Bob Ewell spat Atticus in his face, and told him he'd get him if it took the rest of his life. ‘I wish - Bob Ewell didn't chew tobacco,' was all Atticus said about it."
When this occurs, Atticus simply walks away from Bob Ewell and in the meantime teaches his children a valuable lesson. Never get caught up in the heat of the moment.
"No matter what anybody says to you, don't let them get your goat. Try fighting with your head for a change"
Atticus teaches respect