Michelle Obama has once said, “be the flame of fate, that torch of truth to guide our young people toward a better future for themselves and for this country”. In this quote, Michelle Obama is trying to say that older people are role models to the younger generation and they’re helping them become better people. Similarly to Atticus Finch from the novel “To Kill A Mockingbird” written by Harper Lee. Atticus sets a good example for his two kids, Scout and Jem. In the book, Atticus Finch stands up for his beliefs. He is an intellectual, and wise beyond his years, Atticus is also respected by everyone because he is considered a leader.
For starters, Atticus Finch is a good role model is because he’s wise and shares his wisdom with his children and peers. He sticks up for other people, especially kids. Atticus said that if a child asks something or says something, you should “‘...answer him for goodness’ sake’”(87). This is him trying to say that “children are children” but they can sometimes say something clever. Atticus tries to show that if you try to be the best version of yourself, you will get somewhere great. If Atticus wasn’t trying to be the best version of himself “‘...[he] couldn’t hold up [his] head in [the] town, [he] couldn’t represent [the] country in the legislature, [he] couldn’t even tell [her] or Jem not to do something again’”(75). It is clear that Atticus Finch believes in what he says, what he says is his opinion and he tells people his opinion to help others. Atticus believe in what he says and what he says comes out wise and respectful. He has also said that, “‘a court is only as sound as its jury, and a jury is only as sound as the men who make it up’”(274). Atticus has great advice and is really good at helping other with his words. He does his best to stick up for other people and to help others when they need help.
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Another example of why Atticus Finch is a role model is because he doesn’t believe in violence. He doesn’t think it’s right to shoot a gun without a good reason. “‘[He] think[s] maybe he put his gun down when he realized that god had given him an unfair advantage over most living thing’”(130). It’s not right to kill a living thing without a good reason to. Miss Maudie has once said something that really explains the way Atticus is. “‘People in their right minds never take pride in their talents,’ said Miss Maudie”(130). Atticus doesn’t take pride in his talent because he isn’t proud of his talent of having a good aim and hitting something in one shot. When Atticus was a young boy, he took 15 shots and shot 14 doves. Later on, “[he] decided he wouldn’t shoot till he had to, and he had to today” (130). This shows that Atticus Finch isn’t a fan of hunting unless it’s for a good reason. Atticus decided to shoot Tim Johnson only because he had rabies. He tried to protect everyone, especially Scout and Jem, from Tim Johnson.
The last reason why Atticus Finch is a good role model is because he is empathetic. One way he shows that he’s empathetic is because he tries to understand other people’s feelings. “‘[No one] really understand[s] a person until [they] consider things from [their] point of view[...]’” (39). You would really have to be in someone else’s shoes to understand what they’re going through. You would also have to understand what people see and hear. No matter what, “‘a mob is always made up of people...’”(157). It doesn’t matter what you do, people want to see what they want to see and what they want to hear. He also tries to understand himself and tries to listen to himself. “‘But before [he] can live with other folks, [he’s] got to live with [himself]’”(105). Atticus is trying to understand himself and try to learn to be on his own before he lives with other people. He really cares about other people and listens to other people’s feelings.
In conclusion, Atticus Finch is a good role model. He tries his best to set a good example for his kids, Scout and Jem. Atticus is a good person who is wise, doesn’t believe is violence, and is very empathetic. He teaches his kids to be the best version of themselves so they can grow up to be the same.