Throughout literature. there are legion illustrations of characters who serve to reenforce moral values of both other characters. and the reader. These characters systematically choose to make the “right” thing in the face of terrible hardship. For illustration. in the Parable of the Good Samaritan. the Samaritan adult male goes against all social values to assist the Jew after he had been left for dead by muggers. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Atticus Finch serves as a reflecting beacon of morality in the face of the prejudice-ridden early twentieth century Alabama.
Atticus helps to develop healthy and moral attitudes in his kids by promoting them to avoid unneeded struggle. to ever endeavor to be the better individual. but besides to still be prepared to accept a challenge if it is necessary for making what is morally right. which demonstrates his truly moral character.
Bing inactive and avoiding struggle is frequently viewed as being weak. but in many instances. avoiding struggle can be the lone responsible. morally right pick. This is specifically demonstrated by Atticus Finch after Bob Ewell spits in his face. Atticus displays utmost restraint by declining to contend Ewell. When asked to notice on the incident. he merely comments. “I wish Bob Ewell wouldn’t chew tobacco” ( Lee 291 ) . In this instance. Atticus demonstrates that he is absolutely willing to get down his pride and make what is right. Second. Atticus farther expands on this attitude by learning his kids that it is incorrect to contend with neighbors. no affair what abuses are said to them.
After Mrs. Dubose tries to antagonise Jem. Atticus advises: “…hold your caput up high and be a gentleman. It’s your occupation to non allow her do you mad” ( Lee 133 ) . On this juncture. Atticus is learning his kids the old adage of “sticks and stones” – that people should larn to disregard things that others say about them. By being peaceable and reticent towards Bob Ewell. and necessitating his kids to make the same to Mrs. Dubose. Atticus is learning his kids how to avoid struggle and handle state of affairss decently. which is a critical component of moving morally.
It is frequently hard to go on moral high land. particularly when there is force per unit area non to. but experience Teachs us that it is ever the best option. In To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus provides a clear illustration of how to be the better individual when forced into an uncomfortable state of affairs.
After Jem destroys Mrs. Dubose’s garden. Atticus has to learn his kids that people are non ever traveling to be sort to them. particularly with Atticus’ function in the Tom Robinson instance. but they must still handle everybody with regard. Atticus tells Scout. “It’s non fair for you and Jem. I know that. but sometimes we have to do the best of things” ( Lee 139 ) . In this illustration. Atticus is learning his kids that no affair what happens. ever seek to be positive about it. and ne’er to allow their disparagers bother them. Additionally. Atticus does non excuse his kids contending.
Once once more. Atticus knows that there are ever traveling to be people that are unkind to them. but that contending will non do the state of affairs any better. Scout references. “Atticus had promised me he would have on me out if he of all time heard of me contending any longer ; I was far excessively old and large for such infantile things. and the Oklahoman I learned to keep in. the better off everybody would be” ( Lee 99 ) . In this case. Lookout remembers that Atticus does non allow her to contend with others because it is immature and detrimental. regardless of what caused the battle.
Therefore. Atticus’ attitude towards struggle. to be the better individual. demonstrates that he understands how to act morally when presented with struggle.
Making the right thing is frequently significantly tougher than indecisiveness. or even making the incorrect thing. In To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus Finch proves that making the right thing might be hard. but it is ever the preferred pick. and that it is ne’er impossible. In 1930s southern Alabama. racialist or otherwise prejudiced attitudes are plentiful. This can do morally right picks hard. When Atticus Finch took the Tom Robinson instance. he knew that the popular sentiment of the occupants of Maycomb would be against him.
However. he understands that taking the instance was the right thing to make. and that he must make it. When Atticus is explicating his determination to take the Tom Robinson instance. he states. “This instance. Tom Robinson’s instance. is something that goes to the kernel of a man’s scruples – Scout. I couldn’t travel to church and worship God if I didn’t seek to assist that man” ( Lee 139 ) . By stating this. Atticus is admiting that although Maycomb may be against him. he knows he has to assist Tom Robinson because it is the lone manner to make what is morally right. Later. Tom Robinson’s life is threatened by a rabble who want to interrupt into the gaol and slaying him.
Atticus is warned of this. and he goes to the gaol in order to assist Tom. Atticus prevents the rabble from making Tom. stating them. “You can turn around and travel home” ( Lee 202 ) . At this clip. Atticus understands that he could be attacked and potentially injured. but he knows that he must do the morally right. albeit disputing pick. and travel to the gaol to protect Tom.
Based on this grounds. it is clear that Atticus understands that some of the picks that he has to do will be hard. such as supporting Tom Robinson in tribunal. or protecting him from the rabble. However. Atticus knows that they are the lone morally right picks. and hence the lone picks he may allow himself to do. as he is a strong moral character.
Acting morally does non necessitate flawlessness. and any individual or character will hold minor defects and imperfectnesss. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus Finch serves as a near-perfect function manner in contrast to the helter-skelter environment of 1930’s Alabama. His desire to avoid asinine struggle. ever strive to be the better individual. and accept challenges in the procedure of making what is right show his true sense of righteousness. and name us to move as better people in the face of hardship. If adopted by everyone. Atticus’ actions. attitudes and rules would do the universe a much more pleasant topographic point to populate in.
