Atticus

From time to time in literature, an author creates a character that is memorable for moral courage. Atticus Finch of Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird is just such a character. Atticus is a small town lawyer living in Alabama over the years of the two world wars and the great depression. In the story line he realizes the hardships of parenting and the price of principle. His children Jem and Scout, share in his experiences, and grow significantly as a result. Atticus shows his moral courage when he defends Calpurnia against Aunt Alexandria, raising his two children Jem and Scout, and when he defends a black man in a racist town.

First, Atticus shows moral courage when he defends Calpurnia against Aunt Alexandria. This happens when, “Aunty has tried to exclude Calpurnia from the conversation.” Atticus reply to Aunty is, “ .” This has the effect of gently correcting Aunty but also building up Calpurnia’s self respect.

Next, Atticus shows strong moral courage in the way he raised his two children Jem and Scout. He told them to never judge a person until you really get to know them or look at things from their point of view. “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” (P. 30). When his children grew up, they were respectful and understood how well Atticus raised them.

Thirdly, Atticus show moral courage when he defends a black man in a racist town. Tom Robinson, a black man, was charged with raping a white woman. Atticus chooses to defend Tom because he knows that Tom did not rape the woman. Hetom is considered doomed because they can not get an all white jury to believe Tom’s word. “It couldn’t be worse Jack. The only thing we’ve got is a black man’s word against the Ewell” (P.88). Atticus says he takes this case to keep up his justice and self-respect.

These are the three main reasons why Atticus Finch of Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird is a character who is memorable for his moral courage. He defends Calpurnia against Aunt Alexandria, he raises his children, and he defends a black man in a racist town.