Atticus Finch Character Analysis Essay Example

As having to play several roles Atticus portrays a lot of great attributes and made a difference in his children’s perspectives. Being a father has all sorts of qualities, teaching, loving, caring, and much more. Atticus illustrates all of these attributes because he knows what it is like to be in their shoes. Being a great role model allows Atticus’s kids to understand the appreciation of how their father raises them.

Being a father, Atticus Finch had to play several important roles in his kids’ lives to help them become better individuals. At school, Mrs. Caroline accuses Scout of her father not teaching her how to read properly and Scout was tired of being scolded. Following, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view-”(39).  Atticus means that instead of jumping straight to a conclusion and assuming the worst, Scout should take time and try to give the person the benefit of the doubt even though it may not seem right.  Atticus does not want his kids to grow up and not treat people right. In addition, Atticus was trying to prove a point to his family and the town on why he was defending a black person, and it was because if he didn’t, he couldn’t stand what he believes in. Case in point, “...I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again.”(100) He shows that if he can't do something that is right, he can’t tell his children to do it because it is being hypocritical. Atticus wants to stand up, to show his children that they should do things that feel that is right and necessary. Going along with it Atticus made Jem go read to Mrs. Dubose as repayment for cutting off the tops of the camellia bushes. Atticus saw it as a learning experience. That being the case,  “ It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what” (149). Mrs. Dubose shows real courage because wants to live without being supported on morphine; she knew the pain that it was going to take.  Atticus wants Jem to grasp that you shouldn’t try something and give up on it halfway even if it is hard. As a result, Atticus educates his kids through the difficult causes that he and his family have faced, by showing them that it’s important to do what is right and gain strength by doing so.  

Atticus shows his kids selflessness through his daily actions towards others.  To illustrate, Jem and Scout couldn’t understand why Atticus wasn’t fighting back and not standing up for himself against Mr. Ew. He knew that if Mr. Ewell took his anger out on somebody it would protect the Ewells from getting hurt. For instance, “…I'd rather it be me than that houseful of children” (293).  Atticus is fully aware of how Mr. Ewell treats his kids and even though he was going against the Ewells during the trial he still cares for them. It wasn’t the kid's fault for the way Mr. Ewell treats them. If anything he tries to show that he can be a better father by being a better person. Earlier in the book Atticus Finch took the case of Tom Robinson. He wishes that he is able to do the case without his kids hearing the town gossip about it. He points out “ I just hope that Jem and Scout come to me for their answers…” (117). Atticus wants his kids to know that they can come to him for help and questions because it lets him know that they are able to trust him and can learn from him.  He knows that his children look up to him and is mindful of how they think.  Likewise, Scout keeps on hearing “n-lover” and she thinks it’s an insult. Atticus is trying to explain to Scout how racism is that being an n-lover isn't necessarily grim. He proudly says, “I certainly am. I do my best to love everybody…”(144). He wants  Scout to know that you should love everybody equally, even if they are different.  Loving everybody the same sets a great example for Scout because it shows that he isn’t bias and lets her know that she should do the same. Therefore, Atticus being elegentarian, and having mindfulness, has a great impact on his kids to let them know that it is a way to keep the peace.

Atticus conveys many experiences that teach people that they should treat people the same no matter how different they are. To portray,  Atticus explains to Scout that Bob Ewell wasn’t the greatest father, and their kids have exceptions because of the environment that they are in. In particular, “Are you going to take out your disapproval on his children?”(Lee, 41).  Atticus does not think that Scout shouldn’t criticize people for the way their lives are. Atticus is trying to say that she shouldn’t judge people, she just needs to accept them as they are. Along with that, Scout questions Uncle Jack on what a “whore-lady” is and decides to opt-out of it and explain a totally different way. Atticus does not think it was candid for him to answer like that. In other words,  “ When a child asks you something, answer him, for goodness’ sake”(116). Atticus thinks that when you explain something to kids you should be upright and honest about it because lying about it isn’t any better than telling the truth.  Atticus is under the opinion that Scout is capable of learning and that if she learns it now she isn’t going to be thinking about it often and will be more mature about it. Similarly,  Jem and Scout are under the impression Mr. Cunningham was going to hurt Atticus and that he is a terrible man. Atticus knows the Cunninghams better than most people and tries to justify his cause. Specifically,  “ Mr. Cunningham was part of a mob last night, but he was still a man”(210). Atticus wants them to acknowledge that Mr. Cunningham isn’t a horrible person for being part of a mob because everybody is still a good person inside, but when there is a group of people together they think alike and don’t think for themselves. Defending Mr. Cunningham helps Scout to comprehend that people are still human and she made a difference just by being an innocent person by not criticizing them. Overall, giving people the benefit of the doubt helps the Finch gain a better understanding of the view of other people.

In closing, Atticus demonstrates positive influence by developing his skill as a father. Even though Atticus had many trials and tribulations he was still able to help his kids develop for future difficulties. Protecting those he loved and watching Scout and Jem grow let Atticus be aware of his kids well being. Also, giving people the justly causes and knowing the accepting people who they are allowed Jem and Scout to make the right decisions. The characteristics of Atticus helped him shape what kind of a father and person he was.