1. LOOKS LIKE
1.1. Aging
1.1.1. "Atticus was feeble" "he wore glasses. He was nearly blind in his left eye, and said left eyes were the tribal curse of the Finches."
1.1.1.1. This quote was from Jem and it shows how Atticus is aging and is having some of the issues involved in aging but he still loves him
1.2. Serious
1.2.1. "... he unbuttoned his vest, unbuttoned his collar, loosened his tie, and took off his coat... this was the equivalent of him standing before us stark naked."
1.2.1.1. This shows that Atticus always has his suit on and is always a very serious person which is why he dresses to the occasion
1.3. Slightly overweight
1.3.1. "For a big man Atticus could get out of a chair faster than anyone..."
1.3.1.1. This quote is when scout is talking bad to Atticus and Atticus gets out of the chair to stop he from talking bad, it also mentions how he is a "big man"
2. BELIEFS & VALUES
2.1. Realism
2.1.1. “There's a lot of ugly things in this world, son. I wish I could keep 'em all away from you. That's never possible.”
2.1.1.1. This quote shows that Atticus tries his best to keep his kids safe from harm and tries to do the right thing but in reality he knows that is impossible
2.2. Religion
2.2.1. “Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember, It's a sin to kill a mockingbird”
2.2.1.1. This quote shows that he is religious as he tells the children it is a sin to kill a mockingbird
2.3. Fairness
2.3.1. “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.”
2.3.1.1. This quote shows how Atticus considers everyone in the town an equal and does his best to understand everyone and to treat everyone fairly
2.4. Value
2.4.1. “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 see it through no matter what.”
2.4.1.1. This quote shows that Atticus doesn't ever give up and tries his best to place these values into his children
3. HOW OTHERS SEE HIM OR HER...
3.1. A hero
3.1.1. "As you grow older you’ll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don’t you forget it - whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, of how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash.” (page 240-241)
3.1.1.1. The black people see Atticus as a hero, because of the way he kept standing up for Tom Robinson even though he knew he had no chance of winning.
3.2. Full of insight
3.2.1. “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 through it no matter what.” (page 121)
3.2.1.1. Atticus is the most insightful character in the book. He always has something wise to say and something valuable to teach his children.
3.3. Good-moralled
3.3.1. “It’s not okay to hate anybody." (page 267)
3.3.1.1. Atticus is always telling the children what's okay to do, and what's not okay. He makes fair judgements and always tries to see the best in people.
4. ACTS LIKE
4.1. Wise
4.1.1. "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - Until you climb in his skin and walk around in it." (page 31)
4.1.1.1. Atticus is the wisest character in the book with only good-morals. He teaches Scout and Jem many life lessons about honesty, bravery and perspective. He is who the kids learn the most valuable lessons from.
4.2. A father
4.2.1. "When a child asks you something, answer him, for goodness' sake. But don't make a production of it. Children are children, but they can spot an evasion quicker than adults, and evasion simply muddles 'em." (page 94)
4.2.1.1. Atticus understands his children and how they see life. He only wants them to learn and grow, and he knows how to go about that.
4.3. Fights for what he believes in
4.3.1. "The state has not produced one iota of medical evidence to the effect that the crime Tom Robinson is charged with ever took place. It has relied instead upon the testimony of two witnesses whose evidence has not only been called into serious question on cross-examination, but has been flatly contradicted by the defendant. The defendant is not guilty, but somebody in this courtroom is." (page 221)
4.3.1.1. Atticus makes sure he is always protecting Tom Robinson during the time of the trial. He believes he is innocent and even though he knows Tom can't win because he is black, he doesn't stop arguing his case.
5. MOTIVATED BY
5.1. Love
5.1.1. "You aren't really a nigger-lover, then, are you?" "I certainly am. I do my best to love everybody... I'm hard put, sometimes—baby, it's never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is, it doesn't hurt you." Page 144
5.1.1.1. Atticus chooses to love all equally, something that Maycomb is not accustomed to. He loves his enemies, his family, his friends, and the minority races who everybody else hated. Atticus aways shows that he loves everybody when making all his decisions, as they are mostly right and fair 100% of the time.
5.2. Respect
5.2.1. "They're certainly entitled to think that, and they're entitled to full respect for their opinions," said Atticus, "but before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience." Page 140
5.2.1.1. Atticus does not belittle others who do not share the same opinions as him, he gives them the full respect they deserve. It is displayed in the novel that Atticus is a very respectful man, who is respected by and respects others.
5.3. Justice
5.3.1. "Lemme tell you somethin' now, Billy," a third said, "you know the court appointed him to defend this nigger." "Yeah, but Atticus aims to defend him. That's what I don't like about it." Page 218
5.3.1.1. The townspeople don't like that Atticus chose to properly defend Tom Robinson, as they don't believe its 'right'. But Atticus firmly believes that Tom Robinson was innocent, as do a few others in Maycomb. The difference is, he is the only person who did anything about it, because he likes to use his profession to fully prevail justice.
6. TEXTUAL ISSUES OR CONCERNS LINKED TO THIS CHARACTER
6.1. Stands up for the mockingbirds
6.1.1. “Atticus said to Jem one day, "I’d rather you shot at tin cans in the backyard, but I know you’ll go after birds. Shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird." That was the only time I ever heard Atticus say it was a sin to do something, and I asked Miss Maudie about it. "Your father’s right," she said. "Mockingbirds don’t do one thing except make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corn cribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” Page 98
6.1.1.1. In To Kill A Mockingbird, the major theme is mockingbirds. Mockinbirds are certain people who do no harm, but are destroyed by society over something they have no control over. Atticus Finch identifies and looks out for the Mockingbirds. He informs people of their situations, and hopes that they have the good grace in treating them with respect. As Atticus stands up for Tom Robinson, the town of may comb do not support his decision.
6.2. Does not fear his safety
6.2.1. "Hemeant it when he said it ... Jem, see if you can stand in Bob Ewell’s shoes a minute. I destroyed his last shred of credibility at that trial, if he had any to begin with. The man had to have some kind of comeback, his kind always does. So if spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that’s something I’ll gladly take. He had to take it out on somebody and I’d rather it be me than that houseful of children out there...."
6.2.1.1. Atticus does not fear Bob Ewell. He is an abusive man, but Atticus does not fear him in anyway. It is implied he thinks he is all talk, a thought that should not be taken lightly.
6.3. Does not car that Scout isn't ladylike
6.3.1. There is no specific quote or evidence in the novel, but it is thoroughly implied. He does not go out of his way to make sure Scout grows up to become a lady, something that everybody else seems to feel it is nessacary to do.
6.3.1.1. In the town of Maycomb, genders have specific roles they are expected to play. As Scout is a young women, growing up without a mother, Maycomb find it even more crucial that she is taught the ways of a lady. As Atticus normally does not go out of his way to ensure this is happening, the society of Maycomb see it as an issue.