To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird contains many conflicts and the protagonists face many challenges. Tom Robinson is accused of raping Mayella Ewell. Atticus takes on the case, he knows he will not win. Despite this Atticus gives the case his all. When Atticus Finch takes on Tom Robinson’s case he ignites what seems like the entire world against him. Even members of his own family turn against Atticus for his decision to take on the Tom Robinson case. His stand against racism in Maycomb County has severe consequences, but Atticus will not sacrifice his morals. When his children question his decision and reasoning, he uses the struggles he is facing as deliberate lessons for his children. Atticus tells Scout, “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 see it through no matter what.” Atticus has the ability to understand the gravity of small struggles in daily life and applies them to display the fundamentals of true moral behavior. He stands up for what he believes even when the entire world is against him. Atticus does not without even the smallest hope of victory. From the second he took on the Tom Robinson case, Atticus knew that he would never successfully acquit Tom. But he took on this case anyway, because he knows what is right and what must be done. Atticus is a role model for his children and the reader. He represents courage in the face of assured defeat and he fulfills the role without a moment’s pause. Atticus has courage to fight for what is right in the bleakest of circumstances, and stands up unflinchingly against the world that is against him.