Characterization of Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird

Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel To Kill a Mockingbird depicts the character Atticus Finch as empathetic, honest, and confident.

Harper Lee’s use of dialogue for Atticus and surrounding characters characterizes Atticus as empathetic. After Uncle Jack asks Scout about how he does not understand children, Scout replies, “you never stopped to gimme a chance to tell you my side of it… Atticus doesn’t ever just listen to Jem’s side of it, he hears mine too” (Lee 97). Scout comprehends that Atticus attempts to understand two positions of the same story to see the bigger picture and decide what are the fair consequences for everyone. Scout’s depiction of Atticus displays his influence of empathy on other characters of the story. When Mr. Gilmer concludes his cross- examination on Tom, Atticus states about Mayella, “I have nothing but pity in my heart for the chief witness for the state… she is a victim of cruel poverty and ignorance” (Lee 231). Atticus shows his compassion towards Mayella even though she is on the opposing side in the case. Atticus’s ability to feel sympathy to those in opposing roles in situations is proof of his empathy. Atticus’s empathy is shown through the words of other characters and himself.

Atticus’s use of words when interacting with other characters displays his honesty. After Scout questions Atticus for his reason for defending Tom, Atticus declares, “the main one is, if I didn’t, I couldn’t hold up my head in town, [and] I couldn’t represent this county in the legislature” (Lee 86). Atticus recognizes that not doing his job as a lawyer based on the color of one’s skin is morally wrong and contradicting towards his own profession. This recognition and openness to sharing this recognition clearly proves Atticus’s honesty toward his peers. After Uncle Jack recalls his evasive reply towards Scout’s question, Atticus exclaims, “Jack! When a child asks you something, answer him for goodness’ sake… evasion simply meddles ‘em” (Lee 99). Atticus knows from- most likely prior- experience to expose the hard truth to children while other adults may try to shelter children from it to preserve their innocence. Atticus expresses his directness to a wide variety of people, depiction his honesty to not a specific portion of people but, instead, to all. Atticus’s speech when interacting with others represents his truthful qualities.

Atticus’s dialogue conveys how deeply he believes in social justice and his stand for it portrays his confidence. Scout doubts Atticus being right about defending Tom Robinson, but Atticus states, “the one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience” (Lee 120). Atticus displays that he is not ashamed nor regretful of defending Tom due to his credence of morality over agreeing with peers. The lack of shame or regret in Atticus’s actions despite what the community has to say represents his confidence within his decisions. After speaking about how society deems blacks as immoral, Atticus exclaims, “this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men. There is not a person who has never told a lie [or] has never done an immoral thing” (Lee 232). Atticus speaks unhesitantly about social justice despite how much easier it would be to join the majority’s prejudice. Social justice towards others requires confidence to speak against those who discriminate. Atticus speaks confidently when conversing with others about equality and racial justice. 

As has been noticed, Atticus Finch is characterized as empathetic, honest, and confident through his own speech and the speech of his peers.