Atticus Finch is a major character in the popular novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Atticus is a very even-keeled type of guy; he does not get too worked up about stressful situations. He is not affected by what other people say or think. He is consistent and rooted in his beliefs.

Both Harper Lee and Scout Finch were tomboys, both had fathers who were lawyers and both had childhood friends who were largely abandoned by their parents when they were young. Scout’s friend was Dill and Harper Lee’s friend was Truman Capote or Truman Persons as he was called in his youth.

Ms. Lee’s father was indeed a segregationist, according to people who knew him and according to Charles J. Shields, author of the biography “Mockingbird: A Portrait of Harper Lee.” But while his daughter was at work on “Mockingbird,” Mr. Lee had a change of heart that moved him to advocate for integration.

Lessons in Manliness from Atticus Finch

1. Lessons in Manliness from Atticus Finch.
2. A man does the job no one else wants to do.
3. A man lives with integrity every day.
4. The most important form of courage is moral courage.
5. Live with quiet dignity.
6. Cultivating empathy is paramount.
7. Teach your children by example.

Atticus calls Mrs. Dubose courageous because she knew that withdrawing from morphine would mean suffering. This parallels to Atticus’ defense in the trial, which is described as being “licked before you begin.”

Atticus states: “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do.”

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Atticus Finch is a loving parent and a positive role model who is sympathetic to his children’s needs. Atticus treats his children with respect and allows them to develop into independent individuals. He allows Scout to act like a tomboy and encourages Jem to become a football player.