Atticus Finch

1. LOOKS LIKE

1.1. About 50 years old

1.1.1. "I'm too old for that son"

1.1.1.1. Explain

1.2. Weak and old

1.2.1. "Atticus was feeble"

1.2.1.1. Explain

1.3. Healthy - "He never went hunting, he did not play poker or finch or drink or smoke." p.g 48, This infers from Scouts' perspective that Atticus is healthy and strong for his age and also describes and shapes the attributes of his day to day lifestyle.

2. BELIEFS & VALUES

2.1. Strong/Independent

2.1.1. "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.” p.g 57

2.1.1.1. When he accepts the tom Robinson case and explaining to Scout why he is doing it.

2.1.2. "It was times like these when I thought my father, who hated guns and had never been to any wars, was the bravest man who ever lived." P.g 54

2.1.2.1. Explain

2.2. Reasoning

2.2.1. "nigger-lover is just one of those terms that don’t mean anything—like snot-nose. It’s hard to explain—ignorant, trashy people use it when they think somebody’s favoring Negroes over and above themselves. It’s slipped into usage with some people like ourselves, when they want a common, ugly term to label somebody.”p.g 59

2.2.1.1. Explains peoples' views on Atticus taking Tom Robinson's case and how he says that some people have bad views.

2.3. Empathetic and Fai/ Values life

2.3.1. "he said Atticus wasn’t interested in guns. Atticus said to Jem one day, “I’d rather you shot at tin cans in the back yard, but I know you’ll go after birds. Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”P.g 49-Uncle jack

2.3.1.1. Explain

3. HOW OTHERS SEE HIM OR HER...

3.1. Protective

3.1.1. “Wasn’t talking about your father,” she said. “What I meant was, if Atticus Finch drank until he was drunk he wouldn’t be as hard as some men are at their best. There are just some kind of men who—who’re so busy worrying about the next world they’ve never learned to live in this one, and you can look down the street and see the results.”

3.1.1.1. Miss Maudie is labeling Atticus as protective by saying he "is so busy worrying about the next world ...never learned to live in this one," meaning that he is selfless and thinks of others.

3.2. Polite

3.2.1. "Mr Finch is always courteous to anybody. He’s not trying to mock you, he’s trying to be polite. That’s just his way.”. p.g 97

3.2.1.1. He is considered an honest person inside and outside of the courtroom.

3.3. Honest

3.3.1. "he (Atticus) is the same in court-room as he is on the streets." p.g 25

3.3.1.1. He is considered an honest person inside and outside of the courtroom.

4. ACTS LIKE

4.1. The voice of reason in the town of Maycomb

4.1.1. "I'd hoped to get through life, without a case of this kind,' but John Taylor pointed at me and said, 'You're it.'"p.g 48

4.1.1.1. Atticus further implores that he has a conscience and a strong self in ethical beliefs, which judge Taylor insinuates that Finch has grounded values in helping in solving the case.

4.2. Wise/Perceptive

4.2.1. "'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.'” p.g 16

4.2.1.1. He is considered as a wise figure, in particularly to Jem and Scout. His influential teachings also are in account to life skills and ethical values in understanding others and having empathy towards others. Furthermore in his court speech, his wisdom is exemplified by the way in which he talks about the case.

4.3. Not affectionate

4.3.1. "Atticus reached out and massaged Jem’s hair, his one gesture of affection. " P.g 82

4.3.1.1. Explain

5. MOTIVATED BY

5.1. Against gun culture

5.1.1. Jem is impressed when Atticus shoots the gun accurately, showing dominance. Turns his back on masculinity for his ethical values. Believes in non-violence.

5.1.1.1. Explain

5.2. Ethical

5.2.1. I think there’s just one kind of folks. Folks.” p.g 121

5.2.1.1. Explain

5.3. Committed

5.3.1. Quote or Evidence (Including Page #)

5.3.1.1. Explain

6. TEXTUAL ISSUES OR CONCERNS LINKED TO THIS CHARACTER

6.1. It is a sin to kill a mockingbird

6.1.1. "Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” p.g 49

6.1.1.1. The explanation for metaphorical saying refers to the situation of innocent people intentionally misunderstanding and mistreating people like Boo Radley and Tom Robinson. They are considered the "mokingbirds"

6.2. Cocern: in the American Justice system

6.2.1. “I’m no idealist to believe firmly in the integrity of our courts and in the jury system— that is no ideal to me, it is a living, working reality. Gentlemen, a court is no better than each man of you sitting before me on this jury." p.g 109

6.2.1.1. He mentions that the justice system that Tom Robinson is under, is a liability and is transparent, it is based on opinion and clouded by bias opinions. From the lawyers pespective he considers that the system is not about solving or finding the truth, but blaming or convicting someone.

6.3. Concern: non violence

6.3.1. "he (Atticus) is the same in court-room as he is on the streets." p.g 25

6.3.1.1. Atticus mirrors Martin Luther King as they both are against non violence, especially in the period of time. Atticus choses not to be the typical alpha male as his ethical values aren't in allignemnet in conforming to societies stereotypes and expectations.

6.4. Concern: Peer pressure

6.4.1. "The court appointed Atticus to defend him. Atticus aimed to defend him. That’s what they didn’t like about it. It was confusing." P.g 87

6.4.1.1. Explain