Abstract
Atticus Finch, in To Kill a Mockingbird, is the epitome of an ethical decision maker and of an individual who believes in leading by example. In this story, Atticus represents a central character who as a lawyer, represents an African American accused of raping a white female in a harshly segregated and prejudiced township of Maycomb, Alabama.

From the Paper
Atticus Finch: A Model for Leading Ethically by Example Atticus Finch, in To Kill a Mockingbird, is the epitome of an ethical decision maker and of an individual who believes in leading by example. In this story, Atticus represents a central character who as a lawyer, represents an African American accused of raping a white female in a harshly segregated and prejudiced township of Maycomb, Alabama. The Deep South represented in this story and contrasted by Atticus' sense of justice, fairness, and empathy, provides the backdrop for Atticus' ability to discern right from wrong and to base his decisions upon this ability to

Tags:atticus, finch, ethical

Abstract
This paper describes why Atticus Finch in "To Kill a Mockingbird" is a hero.

From the Paper
"Atticus Finch is a hero in the sense that he was courageous enough to take an unpopular stand on behalf of the downtrodden and falsely accused blacks in "To Kill a Mockingbird". He is not an epic hero because that would have been someone whose exploits helped an entire nation or people over a longer term, but his actions are just as impressive on a smaller scale. Atticus lives in a white racist community where the easy thing to do would have been to let Tom Robinson die..."

Tags:Atticus, To Kill a Mockingbird, Jem, Scout, hero

Abstract
This paper examines how Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" depicts life in a small, southern town and the struggles one man and his family encounter trying to preserve justice. That man is Atticus Finch, a middle-aged lawyer and the father of Jem and Scout who is appointed to defend Tom Robinson, a young black man accused of raping a white girl. It shows how Atticus is a man of very admirable character-who is even-tempered, wise, and courageous.

From the Paper
"Atticus is an even-tempered man and remains calm under any circumstances, despite provocation. Concisely, he keeps his cool like no other. At one such time, Atticus tells Jem that Mrs. Dubose was a lady. Jem replies, "After all those things she said about you, a lady?" "She was," answers Atticus. (112) Mrs. Dubose, an elderly neighbor of the Finch's continually talks down about Atticus, and once even goes as far as to say that he is no better than the (Negro)'s and trash he works for. (117) In spite of this, Atticus always remains a gentleman to her and never mentions a word about it. Shortly after the trial, Mr. Bob Ewell stops Atticus on the post office corner and spits in his face, and tells him he will get him if it takes the rest of his life."

Tags:jem, scout, south, racism

Abstract
This paper discusses the plot, character development and theme in Ron Hansen's novel "Atticus". The paper describes both the strengths of the novel and its weaknesses, explaining that while the plot is intriguing and well-developed, Hansen's attempt to create quality literature out of a story that is simply good escapist reading ultimately weakens the quality of the novel.

From the Paper
"The story of the prodigal son is one of the oldest themes in literature. A son asks for his part of his future inheritance from his father, then proceeds to squander it, only to return home in shame. Upon the son's returning home, however, the father is so overjoyed to see him that he unquestionably accepts him back into the fold. The most famous occurrence of this story is to be found in the Bible. So much of Western literature is based on the Bible, and so it is no surprise that writers have adapted the story of the prodigal son to their places and times. One of these writers is Ron Hansen. In his novel Atticus, Hansen tells the story of a prodigal son, among other things. One of these other things is a mystery involving an unlikely suicide. Although Atticus at times is suspenseful reading, it is ultimately a murder mystery that is unfortunately burdened and flawed by Hansen's attempts to add symbolic and literary value to the story."

Tags:wealthy, colorado, oilman, rancher, younger, scott, aimless, life, mother, killed, mexico

Abstract
The paper illustrates how both the character of Atticus, from Harper Lee's novel "To Kill a Mockingbird", and Martin Luther King were moral, strong-willed and courageous men who were well-educated and held high positions in their communities. The paper describes how both the real-life civil rights activist, Martin Luther King, and the fictional lawyer Atticus, worked for the betterment of mankind and spoke out against racism and social injustice while displaying non-violent resistance. The paper concludes that while Atticus may not have changed the world as Martin Luther King did, he did make a significant difference in the lives of the people of Maycomb and his two children.

From the Paper
"Harper Lee's 1960 Pulitzer Prize winning novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, follows the moral and intellectual development of Jem and Scout Finch as they encounter racism and social division in the depression-era south. The main theme throughout Lee's book is racism and how horrible it is. Jem and Scout come to realize this during the trial and wrongful conviction of Tom Robinson, an Alabama black man accused of raping a white woman. A side theme throughout the book is Boo Radley and how he always stays inside his house. The reason Boo stays inside the house is not revealed until towards the end of the book, when Jem realizes that Boo wants to stay away from the hatred and complications of the outside world."

Tags:racism, Tom, Robinson, resistance, morals, integrity, courage

Abstract
This paper discusses the main points on the character Atticus Finch, and why he is the most important character in the Novel "To Kill A Mockingbird".

From the Paper
"During the first half of To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee constructs a sweet and affectionate portrait of rowing up in the world of small town Alabama. Harper Lee, however, continues on to dig underneath the portrayal of small town courtesy in the second half of the book. None of the characters in the book are perfect. This begins to show through in the second half of the book when the facade is removed to reveal the ugliness of Maycomb and the people living there. Through these tough times though, one character manages to keep his cool. Atticus Finch, through all the struggles and pressure, stands strong as a very positive father figure, making sure to instil in his children three very specific values: education, bravery, and acceptance."

Tags:education, bravery

From the Paper
"This study will examine the characters in Harper Lee's novel To Kill A Mockingbird in order to define the nature of courage. Atticus Finch, a clearly heroic figure in the novel, who lives according to high principle, offers a definition of courage as "when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what" (112). This definition seems to have more to do with stubbornness or determination rather than courage. Atticus' definition would seem to hold that a career criminal is courageous, for such a criminal knows that he will be caught and punished sooner or later. Was Hitler courageous when he set out to conquer the world and establish a one-thousand-year German reign, when he must have known on some level that it was impossible, yet he began? Simple stubbornness, determination, sticktoitiveness, or plain..."

Abstract
This paper examines how in the novel "To Kill A Mocking Bird", an extraordinary tale of courage and morality, Atticus Finch epitomizes stability, humility, high moral and ethical values and exceptional parenting skills. As a single parent in 1930s, life wasn't easy for ordinary people, but Atticus is not an ordinary widower. It looks at how he is an exceptional lawyer who understands the worth and value of human life. He doesn't look at his children as little people who can be overpowered, but views them as individuals with their set of needs and acknowledges their quest to gain knowledge.

From the Paper
"Scout is an aggressive child and finds it difficult to get along with others at school- Atticus tells her a golden rule which he believes can help solve her problem: "If you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll get along with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you see things from his point of view--- until you climb into his skin and walk around in it"." (Lee 30). This was indeed a sign of Atticus' humility and wisdom that he also wanted to instill in his children. He understood that the best way to deal with people was to view their problems, their issues, and their reaction from their position and that it when everything becomes clearer. "

Tags:atticus, scout, rape, trial, jem

Abstract
This paper analyzes the critical elements of racism that arise as they pertain to Robert Mulligan's film "To Kill a Mockingbird". It looks at how in many scenes within the film, Mulligan effectively captures the spirit of Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck) and his desire to defend a black man from being wrongfully charged with raping a white woman. The paper also discusses how, by acknowledging the problems of racism in the South in the 1930s, Mulligan provides cultural and community based examples of racism that are realistic and poignant.

From the Paper
"The major issue in Mulligan's civil rights era film To Kill a Mockingbird is how racism is prevalent between families within the town. The Radley's are the racist faction that seeks to have the black boy hung for supposedly raping a white girl, and it is the Finch's that help to bring about justice to seek a legal means to try the case. Mulligan brings this conflict into focus, which is a major reason why the film depicts racism effectively as a cultural issue that divided communities in the 1930s. In Mulligan's characterization of the families, Nathan (Richard Hale) is very similar to Boo's dad, as he is racist and does not care for outsiders to interfere with the events that occur inside the Radley home."

Tags:civil, rights, south, atticus, finch, boo

Abstract
This paper examines how Harper Lee's compelling story about Atticus Finch and his efforts to see justice served at any cost provided Americans with much food for thought and helped fuel the civil rights movement that followed. It provides a summary of the book, "To Kill a Mockingbird", followed by an analysis of the fallacies of the racial issues in America during this period of history. A summary of the research is also provided in the conclusion.

From the Paper
"The story is set in a small town full of "slow-moving people" in Alabama in the 1930s, and tells the story of a lawyer, Atticus Finch, who is Scout's father. Atticus is compelled to defend a black man, Tom Robinson, who has been falsely accused of raping a white woman during a period in American history when such an accusation was tantamount to a conviction. According to Alan Lenhoff, Scout is naturally curious, and although she has never seen her reclusive neighbor, Boo Radley, she desperately wants to. "Like most children, she is self-centered. Her world revolves around games and fights with Jem; fear of nasty old Mrs. Dubose; problems at school; a dramatic fire; the time a rabid dog threatens the neighborhood" (Lenhoff 2001:20). In her childhood innocence, though, Scout does not understand what all of the fuss is about when her father takes Robinson's case."

Tags:atticus, jem, robinson, scopes, scout, tom, trial