1. People see him as the person who does the job that no one else wants but does it as best as he can
1.1. "there are some men in this world who were born to do our unpleasant jobs for us. Your father's one of them." (Chapter 22) Also, from Miss Maudie, concerning the length of time that the jury deliberated, "he's the only man in these parts who can keep a jury out so long in a case like that."
1.1.1. This shows that Atticus's morals show out as others can see them as Miss Maudie says. His morals are to give everyone the equal respect and right and he carries out on his morals. as seen in the quotes ----- >
2. Blacks see him as decent man
2.1. "Negroes were getting to their feet. Reverend Sykes's voice was as distant as Judge Taylor's: 'Miss Jean Louise, stand up. Your father's passing.'"- pg. 216
2.1.1. The fact that the negroes all stood up for Atticus as he was walking out of the courtroom showed the admiration and respect they had for him.
3. LOOKS LIKE
3.1. Has glasses, blind in his left eye.
3.1.1. "He was nearly blindin his left eye, and said left eyes were the tribal curse of the finches
3.1.1.1. There is not to much to explain, except that having a blind left eye is obviously a genetic disorder with the Finch family, although it may have something to do with the right side being good and the left side being bad and Atticus is blind on the 'bad' side
3.2. Older than other men in the town
3.2.1. Atticus was feeble, he was nearly fifty.
3.2.1.1. Jem and Scout are disappointed Atticus cannot do all the things their friend's father's can do
3.3. Atticus is quite tall
3.3.1. In the scene where Scout rants to her Aunt Alexandra, Aunt Alexandra says : "For a big man Atticus could get out of a chair faster than anyone..."
3.3.1.1. a reference to Atticus's size as it explains that for the size of him he is quite quick to get out of his seat as usually tall people are quite lumbering and slow.
4. BELIEFS & VALUES
4.1. Belief
4.1.1. Quote or Evidence (Including page#
4.1.1.1. Explain
4.2. Being genuine
4.2.1. "Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets." - pg. 52
4.2.1.1. This quote from Maudie Atkinson shows the fact that everyone else realises just what a good, true person Atticus is. He is not two faced in his beliefs at all.
4.3. Understanding others
4.3.1. "Atticus, he was real nice. . . .” His hands were under my chin, pulling up the cover, tucking it around me. “Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them.”
4.3.1.1. Atticus is teaching Scout that you should assume that people are good unless they prove otherwise.
5. HOW OTHERS SEE HIM OR HER...
5.1. Nigger lover
5.1.1. "You aren't really a nigger-lover, then, are you?" "I most certainly am."- pg. 114
5.1.1.1. People call Atticus a nigger lover but it is not something that he is worried about. This is because he believes in equality amongst people.
6. ACTS LIKE
6.1. Understanding
6.1.1. "Bob Ewell should really stop chewing tobacco" just after Bob Ewell spat in Atticus's face
6.1.1.1. Atticus knows that if he did retaliate it would not achieve anything (as he teaches to scout early in the book). To a normal person if this happened it would start a fight or an argument however this shows Atticus's understanding. He knows that Bob comes form a poor and uneducated family and he knew there was no point to retaliate.
6.2. Continual Forgiveness
6.2.1. Quote or Evidence (Including Page #)
6.2.1.1. Explain
6.3. Will not stand for anything that is morally wrong
6.3.1. Quote or Evidence (Including Page #)
6.3.1.1. Explain
7. MOTIVATED BY
7.1. Justice
7.1.1. "Link, that boy might go to the chair, but he's not going until the truth is told." -pg 149
7.1.1.1. Atticus is positive that Tom Robinson deserves the same chance that any other person to plead his case and that everyone should know what really happened.
7.2. Empathy
7.2.1. "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." "Most people are [nice], Scout, when you finally see them."
7.2.1.1. Atticus makes sure Scout understands that you cannot truly understand people until you look at a situation from there point of view and this helps Scout with various scenarios throughout the book
7.3. morals
7.3.1. "If you shouldn't be defendin' him, then why are you doin' it?" "For a number of reasons," said Atticus. "The main one is, if I didn't I couldn't hold up my head in town, I couldn't represent this county in the legislature, I couldn't even tell you or Jem not to do something again." […] "Atticus, are we going to win it?" "No, honey." "Then why-" "Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win," Atticus said. (9.16-25)
7.3.1.1. this portrays his morals, he believes that if he hides and does not represent someone that should have equal rights he should not represent anyone is the court house and not be in the town itself
8. TEXTUAL ISSUES OR CONCERNS LINKED TO THIS CHARACTER
8.1. Different views to most others
8.1.1. 'Too proud to fight, you nigger-lovin' bastard?'
8.1.1.1. Here Bob Ewell displays the distust many gained for Atticus after he did something that went against the grain of society
8.2. Not as physically able as other men of the town
8.2.1. Our father didn't do anything. He worked in an office, not in a drugstore. Atticus did not drive a dump-truck for the county, he was not the sheriff, he did not farm, work in a garage, or do anything that could possibly arouse the admiration of anyone.
8.2.1.1. The children are disappointed that Atticus is not as young as the other fathers and this is the source of some shame and disappointment
8.3. Concern
8.3.1. Quote or Evidence (Including Page #)
8.3.1.1. Explain