In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the character Atticus possesses the most compassion out of the other characters. Atticus is a man of profession, however, his compassionate heart can not be overlooked. Atticus tells Jem to "Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." (Lee 81) to display his compassion for those who are innocent. Compassion is the concern for the suffering or misfortune of others. A scene in the novel states that Atticus has no choice in representing Tom in the trial. At first, the novel shows that Atticus has no decision in defending Tom, however, one may later discover that Atticus wants to defend Tom. Atticus is the character that possesses the most …show more content…
Dubose. Atticus explains to them that sometimes in life one has to do things one may not enjoy in order to serve others. Atticus then connects Jem and Scout’s struggle with Mrs. Dubose to himself and the trial. Atticus says to Scout and Jem “ ‘Tom Robinson’s case, is something that goes to the essence of a man’s conscience- Scout, I couldn't go to church and worship God if I didn’t try to help that man’ ” (Lee 139). The moment is showing the moral justice behind Atticus's reasoning for defending Tom. Atticus shows how not only is he defending Tom because he knows he is innocent, but he is saying how the action would literally goes against his moral conscience. Atticus shows compassion because he is choosing to see equality in others and how Tom Robinson is no less of a man because of the color of his skin. In the moment, Atticus not only shows compassion towards Tom but also genuine respect.
Atticus displays compassion for others far more than any of the other characters in the novel. Atticus has so much compassion that in fact he is able to teach his own children how to love and respect others. Atticus shows his compassion when he is being called names during the trial, choosing to be kind to those who ridicule him, and to the innocent Tom Robinson. Without Atticus having his compassion, the other characters in the novel will never grow and learn to
Not only did Atticus show compassion towards friends , he also showed compassion to his enemy and their family. Atticus stepped in the shoes of the Ewells and said that "if spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that 's something I 'll gladly take." (Lee 218) This represents compassion because he would gladly protect a victim of abuse with his own life.
To Kill A Mockingbird The color of people doesn't change the fact that everyone is equal. The novel “ To kill a Mocking Bird” the man that was being accused of beating and raping Mayella he was discriminated because of his skin tone. Tom was found guilty for something he didn't do. Atticus was defending tom because he felt that it was the right thing to do and he knew that tom wasn't guilty. Tom Robinson's case affected many people because it made people realize that racism isn't right and that they should stand up for what's right.
Atticus most effectively uses emotionally charged language while being respectful in his final remarks to elicit emotions and sympathy to strengthen his facts to bring justice to Tom Robinson. Atticus identifies Tom’s human characteristics to garner sympathy from the jury. Throughout his final remarks on the case he uses certain words to make the audience see Tom as a human worthy of respect and justice. Here, Atticus provides the evidence where the court and jury have prejudice towards Tom.
Empathy Empathy is shown in To Kill A Mockingbird by Atticus standing up for Tom Robinson, Jem realizing that Arthur Radley is not crazy; he is just antisocial, and Scout feeling remorse for tormenting Arthur throughout her childhood. Atticus shows empathy throughout the whole book, from promising Scout that they will read every night, to taking on Tom Robinson’s trial, it’s hard to find a more genuine character. While Atticus knew that the trial may not end well, he still believed he should stand up for what is right, regardless of anyone’s skin color. Atticus was willing to fight a large group of burly men to protect Tom Robinson, it could be that he thought about what he would want others to do if he were in that situation.
Atticus is appointed a case by Judge Taylor to defend a black man named Tom Robinson who has been accused of raping a white girl named Mayella Ewell. Because of the racism and prejudice against black people, he believes that he will not win this case and could risk the life of Tom Robinson. Because of this case, Scout gets bullied by Francis about how his dad is defending a black man, Atticus later talks to Scout about how “[Tom Robinson] lives in [a] settlement behind the town dump….there’s been some high talk around the town to the effect that I shouldn’t do much about defending this man” (Lee 86). Atticus knows that something bad can happen to him if he were to defend Tom Robinson but still does so because he has the courage to do it. After the trial had ended, Atticus was waiting for news but he did not expect something so terrible and heartbreaking, Tom Robinson, unfortunately, died after being shot several times.
Atticus, Scout, and Tom are just a few of the many characters that show empathy in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird.
Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive. In To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, there are examples of societal injustice, but there are many examples of compassion shown in the book.
Dubose and Tom Robinson. He thinks Mrs. Dubose is just a mean old lady, until he finds out about her morphine addiction and that he is dying. Jem was forced to read to Mrs. Dubose as a punishment for tearing up her garden, where he learns about her addiction. Atticus shows Jem to be empathetic by telling him he would have had to read to her even if he hadn’t destroyed her flowers, he says that half the time Jem was reading to her she probably didn’t even hear it because of her addiction. Atticus teaches Jem a very valuable lesson, he teaches Jem to see things from other people's point of view or “Climb into someone else's skin and walk around in it”.
In Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus is portrayed as polite, courageous, and fair in order to show the importance of a moral education. Atticus shows how politeness is important when he is kind to Mrs. Dubose. Mrs. Dubose is an old, bitter recovering morphine addict. Scout and Jem pass by her frequently while she yells at them.
Mockingbird only make beautiful music for the world to enjoy, they cause no pain and no suffering for the creatures of this Earth. Throughout the story Atticus Finch has been an honest, thinking man who does his best to beat up his kids to have good ethics and values to communicate them through their lives. Atticus is morally perfect. He shows tolerance for other races and cultures and believes that those who walk this earth are all equals.
Atticus takes the trial knowing the consequence that him and his family will be harrassed by the town because it is the right thing to do. Atticus finch decides to defend Tom Robinson to be a good role model for his children and prove that the “Golden Rule” is a rule to
Atticus is very understanding of others. He respects his neighbours which shows his compassion for them. For example, when Jem and Scout plan to give Boo Radley a message, Atticus states to Jem, “...I’m going to tell you something and tell you one time; stop tormenting that man.” (Lee 65). This statement shows that Atticus cares and has respect for his neighbours.
I couldn't even tell you or Jem not to do something again.” Atticus believes standing up for Tom and representing him in court is right. In his heart there is not room for prejudice, instead respect and true value shines through. Another way Atticus shows his good morals is when he defends Tom Robinson in court. Scout says: “Atticus had used every tool available to free man to save Tom Robinson, but in the secret court of men's hearts Atticus had no case.”
To have the ability to acquire and address compassion to others, have the willingness to think outside the box, while having confidence in yourself while standing up for the right thing are some major points Kill a Mockingbird and 12 Angry Men show us as readers and viewers. To Kill a Mockingbird and 12 Angry Men, show men who were able to use their attribute to show compassion for others, their eagerness to think outside the box, while having self-assurance the entire time. To let the readers to pick up, they are willing to do whatever it takes to bring across the legitimate element of concern. Atticus and Juror 8 show compassion through the way they treat others with the respect they deserve.
Dillon Lindstrom Mrs. Engelstad English 11, Hour 7 22/03/16 Critical Analysis “If you can learn a simple trick, you 'll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." [30] . The character, Atticus has a hand in three buckets throughout the story.