A description based on facts of how tolerant Atticus is:What is it to be tolerant? The word tolerant is defined as “able to withstand or endure an adverse environmental condition”. The importance of tolerance is still relevant today. Without tolerance segregation would still be legal, minorities would still be oppressed and taken advantage of, and most of all it would make racism and bigotry acceptable, which by today’s standards, it is not. In the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” the author Harper Lee uses and teaches the theme of tolerance by using an array of colorful characters. First of all would be Scout Finch, the daughter of Atticus Finch, and the narrator of the novel. Next would be Mrs. Dubose, a seemingly nasty and horrible old woman afflicted by a horribly painful disease. Lastly would be Atticus Finch, father of Jem and Scout Finch, and a lawyer. These three characters convey the theme of tolerance the best of any characters in the novel.
However, Atticus Finch could quite possibly be the most critical character that conveyed tolerance and acceptance in the novel. As a respected lawyer in a small county, Atticus spoke with a voice of both authority and dignity. His decision to represent Tom Robinson infuriated the bigots and tyrants, and with good reason; Atticus is a man of high caliber and an excellent attorney who had a genuine interest in upholding justice. The mere thought of that would be enough to chill the bones of anyone who advocated hatred and prejudice. Even though Atticus loses the case and Tom Robinson is found guilty, he is still given an intense moment of respect for his fight for justice, tolerance, and acceptance. This is illustrated after court when he receives a standing ovation and Reverend Syke's says to Scout, "Miss Jean Louise, Stand up. You're father's passin'" ( Pg 211). This is why our group decided to do on Atticus.
Character: Atticus
“Let us leave it at this,” said Atticus dryly. “You, Miss Scout Finch, are of the common folk. You must obey the law.” He said that the Ewells were members of an exclusive society made up of Ewells. In certain circumstances the common folk judiciously allowed them certain privileges by the simple method of become blind to some of the Ewell’s activities
Taken from: Chapter 3 Pg 36
Shows: Atticus teaching Scout about tolerance, hence showing the fact that he has it in him.
Atticus was feeble: he was nearly fifty. When Jem and I asked him why he was so old, he said he got started late, which we felt reflected upon his abilities and manliness. He was much older than the parents of our school contemporaries, and there was nothing Jem or I could say about him when our classmates said, “My Father--”
Taken from: Chpater 10 Pg 95
Shows: Though Atticus was asked about “age”, which to some is a sensitive
topic, he still kind of joked about it and it shows he can tolerate such questions
and not feel hurt.
Atticus said to Jem one day, I’d rather you shot at tin cans in the back yard, but I know you’ll go after birds. Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember its a sin to kill a mockingbird...
Taken from: Chapter 10 Pg 96
Shows: Even though Atticus did not like guns, he knew that Jem did and could
tolerate that and not disallow him from shooting birds.
… “She’s a faithful member of this family and you’ll simply have to accept things the way they are. Besides, sister, I don’t want you working your head off for us - you’ve no reason to do that. We still need Cal as much as we ever did”
Taken from: Chapter 14 Pg 142
Shows: Atticus understood that he had to accept things the way they were,
which shows tolerance to other people and things etc.
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--” … “--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.”
Taken from: Chapter 3 Pg 35
Shows: Atticus was tolerant of others’ behaviour, as he always tried to see things from their perspective. He was never judgmental without good reason, and would always see things from different perspectives before coming to a conclusion.
‘ "Atticus says cheatin’ a coloured man is ten times worse than cheatin’ a white man,” I muttered. “Says it’s the worst thing you can do.” ‘
Taken from : Chapter 20 Pg 207
Shows: Atticus’ intolerance for white people’s prejudice on blacks or other coloured people. A person must not be judged based on their appearances or skin colour. He feels that it is ten times worse to cheat someone who is already at a disadvantage.
In conclusion, Atticus is a man who respects every person was he would respect himself no matter if they were black, white, female, male etc. A good example of that would be that he respects his own children so highly that he has them refer to him by his first name(whole book) , because when you use a name like “Father” it gives the sense that he is above you, and Atticus doesn’t believe above anyone or anyone is above him.
The courtroom is not the only environment that Atticus contributed tolerance and acceptance to. In fact, the courtroom is only a small microcosm of his life where he was a just human being striving to instill tolerance and acceptance, among other qualities, into his children. As a single father, Atticus's efforts to teach his children the right way to live is extremely prevalent. Scout, as a young and rebellious as she is, seems to be very hesitant to really learn or accept anything from her father but proves that she actually does listen to her father when she recites one of his teachings "Atticus says cheating a colored man is ten times worse than cheating a white man".