How does Harper Lee bring out different aspects of Atticus?

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How Does Harper Lee Bring Out Different Aspects of Atticus?

Within her book To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee is able to bring out a number of aspects of Atticus Finch’s character, such as being empathetic, brave, and well-respected.

Atticus Finch is not only a father, but a role model to his children Scout and Jem. They look to him for advice. This becomes evident when Scout turns to her father, refusing to attend school, exemplifying Burris Ewell. Atticus then tells her that she must abide by the law, whilst sometimes it is ‘better to bend the law in special cases’. The idiomatic expression ‘bend the law’ suggests that Atticus, being a lawyer, is aware of the fact that the legal system may not always be suitable towards certain types of people. The euphemism, ‘special cases’, implies that the Ewells are ‘special’ in that they are poor, and uneducated, yet Atticus does not place judgment upon them. He is unwilling to label the Ewells as anything negative as this may lead to a misunderstanding and perhaps poor judgment when coupled with Scout’s child-like perspective. He also advises a naïve and confused Scout that one can never really understand another’s reasons ‘until you climb into his skin and walk around in it’.  The metaphor suggests that Atticus believes it in crucial to understand a person before placing judgment – an aspect crucial to his occupation as a lawyer. The fact that Atticus teaches his youngest daughter the need to be empathetic at such a young age is evident of his values and how important an attribute he believes empathy to be. His ability to put himself in another’s shoes allows him to not only be a good role model for his children, but also for the entire Maycomb community. The advice he chooses to give Scout ultimately contributes to her overall growth as a person, and thus catalyzing, in a way, this Buildingsromans.

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In addition, Atticus is also shown to be as brave as he is empathetic. In a more literal sense, Atticus’ bravery is asserted when Tim Johnson, a dog with rabies, walks through Maycomb. The majority of the town’s people are unwilling to take action, yet Atticus steps out, driven by the need to protect his family. In this instance, a newer, more active side of Atticus’ character is put forward. This is made evident in Lee’s description of Maycomb after Atticus had gone outside to put down Tim Johnson. Only after the danger was faced by someone else,‘the neighbourhood slowly ...

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