Atticus Finch Character Analysis in To Kill a Mockingbird

In the Story To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, there is a character named Atticus Finch. Atticus is a father to Jem and Scout throughout the book Atticus portrays himself in many ways as a good father. Atticus is a lawyer and is forced to go through many ups and downs throughout the story not only with work but with his family too. Atticus has family living in the house as his sister Alexandra lives in the house too.

Scout and Jem love their father dearly and are a gigantic piece of their life.

Not to mention Atticus also struggles with being a single parent. The story is set in a time when racism and oppression is big and is in a town called Maycomb County, Alabama.
Atticus is known to model great behavior for his kids and tries very hard in parenting for them although it may not seem like it he does try.

He sees the good in everyone including people who do things wrong.

“Atticus said you just had to know ‘em. He said the Cunninghams hadn’t taken anything from or off of anybody since they migrated to the New World.” (Lee 298) this shows that Atticus had so much respect for the Cunningham family and didn’t want his kids to think badly of them. Even if the kids thought the Cunninghams were bad people Atticus would have changed their mind in a heartbeat. Atticus is a very well educated human being and shows it in the way he talks, but along with his job he needs to have a stern side which he shows at some points in the story.

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“I shall be brief, but I would like to use my remaining time with you to remind you that this case is not a difficult one, it requires no minute system of complicated facts, but it does require you to be sure beyond all reasonable doubt as to the guilt of the defendant. To begin with, this case should never have come to trial. This case is as simple as black and white.” (Lee 271). Atticus as stern as they come during this speech during his trial and this proves to us that he can be stern when needed.
Atticus makes the kids take a look at the other people’s situations and he makes them walk a mile in their shoes. By him doing so it teaches the kids respect for others and to not overlook things. “Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them.” (Lee 374). This quote shows Scout telling us about Atticus. At this point in time in the story, Scout realizes that in order to really understand someone’s situation you need to think about it. Atticus isn’t just a role model for his kids he also is for his kid’s friend Dill. His sister the kid’s Aunt Alexandra pushes him to change the way he parent’s his kids which is something she should not do. “ . . . you’ve got to do something about her, Aunty was saying. You’ve let things go on too long, Atticus, too long.” (Lee 182). Alexandra tells Atticus that Scout is dictating him pretty much when scout didn’t even do anything.
In the modern world, children feed off positive energy. The quotes that have been portrayed are prime versions of children feeding off of positive vibes and energy. Look at it this way, If Atticus was a terrible parent and didn’t know what he was doing his children would be complete and utter dreadful kids. Atticus’s positive vibes and morals around the kids rub off on Jem and Scout. Atticus may not be respected by some people because of his job but he did a great job parenting his kids. This is why Atticus is a not good but great parent.