Atticus Finch’s Choices
Here is a question to ponder…Why does Atticus Finch risk his reputation, his friendships, and his career to take Tom Robinson’s case? Do you think he risks too much by putting his children in harm’s way?
Here is a question to ponder…Why does Atticus Finch risk his reputation, his friendships, and his career to take Tom Robinson’s case? Do you think he risks too much by putting his children in harm’s way?
September 27th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
Atticus risks everything to prove that doing the right thing is not always easy and that the consequences of doing what is right may be difficult to bear. It also shows that decisions we make, good or bad, have far reaching effects which are often greater than we anticipate. You never know how your actions can affect someone’s life. It is important to remember how much you can influence someone with a kind gesture or word. Atticus teaches us that there is value in not only doing the right thing in big decisions but also the value of everyday kindness.
September 27th, 2007 at 11:10 pm
I think he just has an innate sense of doing what is right. Some people are born with that and some learn if from their parents. No doubt Jem and Scout will have that same sense as they grow older.
September 28th, 2007 at 3:25 pm
This question reminds me of some lines from The Silver Chair about doing the right thing regardless of consequences:
“Do you mean you think everything will come right if we do untie him?” said Scrubb.
“I don’t know about that,” said Puddleglum. “You see, Aslan didn’t tell her what would happen. He only told her what to do. That fellow will be the death of us once he’s up, I couldn’t wonder. But that doesn’t let us off following the Sign.”
If Atticus had refused the risk, he would have ended up taking the safe and terrible path of personal convenience and safety - not the noble choice.
September 30th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
Atticus took this case because if he didn’t than “I [he] wouldn’t be able to hold my head up, I wouldn’t be about to tell anyone what to do, not even you and Jem.” (Not sure on what page this is.) His moral code required him to stand up for what he believed in or else he would just live his life as a big compromise.
October 1st, 2007 at 6:33 pm
How many of us dare to take that risk? How many of us can break through the internal struggles of doing what is right versus what is easier? Could we make it through an entire day doing the right thing? Spike Lee questioned this possibility in his 1989 groundbreaking movie of the same title. I remember the quote from Radio Raheem in that movie “Let me tell you the story of “Right Hand, Left Hand.” It’s a tale of good and evil. Hate: It was with this hand that Cane iced his brother. Love: These five fingers, they go straight to the soul of man. The right hand: the hand of love. The story of life is this: Static. One hand is always fighting the other hand; and the left hand is kicking much …… I mean, it looks like the right hand, Love, is finished. But, hold on, stop the presses, the right hand is coming back. Yeah, he got the left hand on the ropes, now, that’s right. Ooh, it’s the devastating right and Hate is hurt, he’s down. Left-Hand Hate K.O.ed by Love.” Somehow Atticus uses the “right” hand consistently and without hesitation. Would that we could all do the same ……