Characterization: Atticus

Throughout the novel Atticus offers a lot of helpful advice and life lessons. Atticus shows his qualities through thick and thin. He is a key example of a wise man. Atticus is a large influence to both characters in the story, and the reader.

Atticus is always willing to offer a helping hand. He believes that he should always do the right thing. Even when everyone was against him helping Tom Robinson on the case. Atticus does what he believes to be the right thing to find the truth. against everyones better judgement he managed to probe tom's innocence to everyone, even if they lost the case. He showed respect to everyone, even when they didnt deserve it. Even when he was talking to Mayella Ewell, He adresses to her as Miss, ma'am. she says "Long's he keeps on callin' me ma'am an sayin' miss Mayella. I don't hafta take his sass, I ain't called upon to take it." (243). Atticus tried to show respect to some one who thought that they themselves thought they did not deserve it.

Atticus has seen and experienced many things, so he definitely has a lot of lessons to learn from. One of the most important pieces of advice he offers is to "climb into their skin and walk around in it" (39). To me this sounds a lot like advice i've always been told, "Step into their shoes". This advice can change your understanding of things very quickly, especially in Scouts case. Scout shows use of this advice more than anyone else in the story. She uses it to stand up to men bigger than her and eventually to better understand how Boo Radley feels in the end.

Atticus shows throughout the book that he has much experience. He surprised Scout and Jem with the amount of things he's seen. especially when he has to shoot Tim the dog. Atticus does not show off or boast about all of these qualities because, in my opinion, he doesn't feel its important that everyone knows about them. he feels as though other peoples opinions aren't important, as long as he knows that he is happy with his choices. Atticus is definitely a big role model for others, both in and out of the story.

Atticus is a perfect example of a wise man, shown through his helpful personality, his thoughtful life lessons, and his life full of problems and cruelty. He is a very good role model for the reader and for the people in the novel. I feel that the more people similar to Atticus we have, the better this world would be.