1. textual issues or concerns linked to his character
1.1. The fairness of the legal system
1.1.1. "Our courts are the great levellers, and in our courts all men are created equal... A court is no better than each man of you sitting before me in this jury." pg 227
1.1.1.1. Atticus believes that every decision a court makes should be decided upon fairly. Skin colour should not have an affect on the verdict.
2. how others see him
2.1. “I simply want to tell you that there are some men in this world who were born to do our unpleasant jobs for us. Your father’s one of them.” Chpt 22, Pg 219
2.1.1. This is Miss Maudie's view on Atticus. She thinks of Atticus as a slave to society, doing all the dirty jobs. By doing these jobs, he earns respect from others.
2.2. "Your father's no better than the niggers and trash he works for!"- Mrs Dubose Chpt 11
2.2.1. Due to Mrs Dubose's condition, this is what she thinks of Atticus. She isn't in full control of what she thinks and says.
3. beliefs and values
3.1. live With quiet dignity
3.1.1. "Too proud to fight, you nigger-lovin' bastard?"..."No too old" chapt 23 pg. 237
3.1.1.1. it it more common for people to fight their enemies. On the other hand it take more strength and courage to simply walk away with dignity.
3.2. teach your children by example
3.2.1. "do you defend nigger Atticus?"..."Of course I do. Don't say nigger, Scout. That's common." ..."'s what everybody else at school says."..."From now on it'll be everybody less one." Chapt 9
3.2.1.1. Atticus is a devoted father. He is protective, kind but firm and fair when needed. He is very patient with Jem and Scout and is always looking to impart wisdom to his children.
3.3. moral courage
3.3.1. "I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what."
3.3.1.1. this shows that Atticus wants to nurture and show his children what is right and what is wrong
3.3.1.2. this shows that Atticus wants to nurture and show his children what is right and what is wrong
4. looks like
4.1. older
4.1.1. "Atticus was feeble: he was nearly fifty... he was much older than the parents of our school." Pg 95 Chpt 10
4.1.1.1. Atticus's older age embarrasses Jem and Scout. He'd read instead of going hunting or fishing like other men.
4.2. He's mostly blind in his left eye and wears glasses
4.2.1. "he wore glasses.He was nearly blind in his left eye."
5. acts like
5.1. gentleman
5.1.1. "She's an old lady and she's ill. You just hold your head high and be a gentleman. Whatever she says to you, it's your job not to let her make you mad." ""Good evening, Mrs. Dubose. You look like a picture this evening."
5.1.1.1. Atticus acts like a gentlemen by treating others with respect. For example, he understands Mrs Dubose's condition but Jem doesn't. Atticus is more polite towards Mrs Dubose than Jem because Jem doesn't understand what she's going through and why she's mean to him.
6. motivated by
6.1. justice
6.1.1. ‘Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try and win’ Chapt 9 - p82
6.1.1.1. this shows that although Atticus knows he's going to lose this trial, he is very determined to make justice prevail
6.2. being there for Jem and Scout
6.2.1. "sometimes I think I've failed as a parent, but I'm all they got...They're all I got"
6.2.1.1. this shows that Atticus is motivated to stand by his family because he knows that they're all he has