Mother Teresa, Lady Diana and
Atticus Finch
Each Possess Ideal Individuality
Written By: Zehra Nasirali
Date: 19th May, 1998
For: Ms. Houslander
Course: ENG-2AI-04
Every newborn baby depends upon and looks up to his or her parents
to raise them, guide them to the right path and be their model in life. It is
their [parents] decision to bring a baby into the world and their
responsibility for making their products a reflection of them by teaching
him/her only what is right. People, like parents, in the case of the novel,
Atticus Finch, [a single parent] definitely deserve recognition and gratitude.
How many people do you know who maintain such a personality? In the novel To
Kill a Mockingbird, Scout describes her father, Atticus, to be much more than
an all-round dutiful father. He is presented by her as the ideal father, ideal
citizen and ideal lawyer.
Among all the parents in Maycomb County,
Atticus is the most ideal and dedicated father. There is never a time when he
is not there for his children. He stands upon a friendly basis with Jem and
Scout, yet he treats them with respect and grace. He patiently listens to their discussions and objections, and in
return, replies to them openly and honestly. Questions involving the definition
of rape and everyone's regard towards Hitler are definitely ones that are
answered with surprising calmness. His special virtue of serenity and
practicality explains why he is not displeased when Scout interferes with the
mob at Maycomb jail the night Tom Robinson is to be shot. Moreover, with all
the freedom available to Jem and Scout, lately their lives are given a lot of
instruction. The point here is that the way Atticus words his requests are
completely different and polite compared to Aunt Alexandra, who words her
demands in an unruly manner. Despite Aunt Alexandra's ways, Atticus always
teaches his kids to be optimistic and to look at people from a wide and bright
horizon, which is emphasized when he explains that "Mr. Cunningham is
basically a good man, he just has his blind spots along with the rest of
us." (Lee 159) This particular
incident, when he tries to reason with Jem and Scout about Mr. Cunningham's
involvement in the mob, is a great example. Furthermore, Atticus serves as a
perfect model of righteousness and proper etiquette for his children and
others.
In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird,
Atticus is portrayed to be the ideal citizen of the town, Maycomb. His
rationality, wisdom and sensibility is what makes him the central figure among
all the neighbours in the novel. He always attends to his neighbours' aid and
does whatever his ability permits him to do; for example sending Jem to read to
Mrs. Dubose to help her get off morphine truly benefited her. Being there for
Miss Maudie when her house burns down also gives Atticus the attribute of a
cheering friend. For all his helping works, he does not await fame, but as Miss
Maudie says "Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public
streets" (Lee 50). However, when he saves the neighbourhood and kills the
mad dog, it arouses another virtue: heroism. Now Jem and Scout are proud to
have Atticus as their father. Another reason that Atticus is an ideal citizen
is that he is the kind of person who feels sympathy and pity for people and he
never condemns anybody's behaviour nor situation; by putting himself in Bob
Ewell's shoes, he understands Bob’s feeling of aggression and annoyance and by
refraining from fighting, he proves to Maycomb that he is a tolerable and
reasonable man. This is how Atticus, in many different ways, sets examples of
courtesy and respect towards all his neighbours, no matter what their skin
colour or status.
Set principles and staunch ethics are what
makes Atticus the ideal lawyer for Tom Robinson. Although he knows that the
court will definitely consider Tom guilty because of his skin colour, Atticus
is determined to try his best. There is always a slight possibility that tables
may turn around. Indeed he gives it all he has with his final powerful and
eloquent speech in which he beautifully incorporates a lot of thought. He
attempts to such an extent, that he even questions the prosecutor in an
elegant, gentle, manner: "Whether Maycomb knows it or not, we're paying
the highest tribute we can pay a man. We trust him to do right. It’s that
simple," praises Maudie (Lee 239). It is because Atticus strictly believes
in equality, that discriminating anybody because of their standard, colour and
education is far from his thoughts. It also takes great courage to fight for a
coloured man against the most ignorant and dangerous drunkard, Bob Ewell, in a
town like Maycomb. All the more, Atticus is the perfect defense lawyer for Tom
Robinson.
In the world of today, there are not many
rightly-guided souls around. However, the few people who possess this divine
quality like Atticus, live such a life that their ever action sets an example
for us. Not only to admire, but to follow and apply them in our lives just how
Scout is learning to do. Ask yourself: Do you have such a personality that
which people can look up to you and remember you by?
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Lee,
Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. Philadelphia: Harper & Row Publishers
Inc., 1982.