Symbols to represent Atticus Finch
By Mallory Fisher
A calculator
During the Tom Robinson case, Atticus did a lot of thinking and explaining to the judge and jury. Atticus is very calculated, just like a calculator, and puts everything into factor. He takes everything that matters into consideration, compared things that don't matter into consideration as well, to not let anything slip by. He knows what matters in cases and in life and what doesn't. Like how the Sheriff and Mayella Ewell were explaining her injuries, all of her injuries were on her left side, but that was the side that Tom Robinson was disabled for his arm was caught in a machinery accident. Now that in itself seems slightly off or fishy. Also given the fact that Tom Robinson did nothing but try to help Mayella, and run away when conflict was involved. Atticus was able to detect that and a lot more just by the way he thinks and calculates the situation in his head, finding it near impossible to happen.
A pair of glasses
The glass heart represents Atticus' caring and compassion towards his friends and family. It also shows Atticus' dedication to his children who he has raised alone, and will do anything to keep him safe and happy. Like when Atticus had to shoot Tim Robinson, the rabid dog, he saw that he must do it to protect his kids because at one point, they were alone as the dog was staggering down the street. Atticus has fought while Jem and Scout were growing up to show them true and kind morals toward people, the way he was raised most likely. He has it seems, the kindest heart out of everyone else in the book, because, he can't be mad at anyone. Not even when Bob Ewell spit right in his face and threatened to kill him. He couldn't even really be mad at Jem, Scout and Dill when they were playing fun of Boo Radley. He forgives everyone he sees, sees everyone the same as well.
Glasses represent Atticus' weakness of lack of sight. It also represents his strength as well. It shows that despite this weakness, he's still the best shot in Maycomb. Not only his strength, but his intelligence as well. Atticus, despite his bad eyesight, sees the world around him much more clearly than other people in the county. Remember when Atticus had to shoot the dog and his glasses fell? Well, that crack in his lense could symbolize the necessity to return violence that the situation called for. And in the Tom Robinson trial, when he took off his glasses, vest and watch, he tried to relate and show that hes just like the jurors, dressed in overalls and work clothes. His glasses signify that he's able to see unlike others.
A yin yang symbol
A caterpillar
A superhero figure
A courthouse gavel
The gavel represents that he's a lawyer in Maycomb county. Not only that, but he strives for respect, justice, and being fair to all who take part in it. Atticus fought for what's right, not because of someone's skin color. He took so much time and effort in the Tom Robinson trial to point out that with Tom's disability, he'd have no chance to do what he was accused of. Atticus fights to teach his children that there's more than meets the eye with each person, to never judge a book by it's cover. That's also why he was so stern on Jem and Scout when they were poking fun of and mocking Boo Radley, because he knew that Arthur wasn't at all what they were saying and doing. Atticus is the person that went against the racial crowd, went against the stereotypes of society to try and make them change their minds. But that wasn't so easy...
Jem and Scout look up to Atticus like a superhero. He's really the good guy throughout the book. They see nothing but all the cool, awesome and heroic things he's done for people and themselves. Later do they learn about his flaws, like his bad eye, but every superhero has their flaw. Like Superman with Kryptonite. He's committed to justice and is willing to view situations from other perspectives. He's a moral guide and voice of conscience throughout the book with Jem and Scout. Jem and Scout uses Atticus' way of thinking to examine people and situations, like Ms. Dubose and at the end, Boo Radley. Jem tries to be just like Atticus, because he looks up to him, admires him, wants to be just like him. Isn't that what superheroes impress onto people?
Atticus at the beginning of the book wasn't anything special. Didn't show up much, wasn't mentioned too often either. He starts off as nothing special, just an average person with an average life in an average town. As the book progresses, you get to see Atticus' true colors, as he blossoms into a butterfly when he stands up for what he believes in. Atticus won't back down from people and things he cares about deeply, and you see that as you read on and on. By doing this he brings himself to a different and higher level than the rest of the people in Maycomb. He wouldn't stop blowing in evidence for Robinson's case, because he knew that he couldn't commit the crime. Atticus knew what was right, so he tried to "bloom" in the trial to show others as well.
A yin tang symbol represents Atticus' character always striving for equality. He treats all people equally and with the respect that they deserve. Atticus seemed to almost want Tom's case, just so he could prove a point to everyone. Atticus didn't care for skin color, he didn't care for rank either. He treated the Ewell's, Cunningham's, and everyone in Maycomb county the same way. It didn't matter what rank you were in society, Atticus would treat you just like the mayor. Didn't matter if you had a darker skin color either, he saw everyone the same. Never mistreated Calpurnia, thought of her as family even because she works for his family and does so much for them.
A finch
Helium
(Don't let this be dead either)
(Yes I know you can't really bag it)
Atticus is indifferent to others. Helium is one of the noble gases, which means they are un-reactant to most elements. Atticus is similar to helium because when he comes into contact with outside influence he doesn't simply agree to it. He doesn't fall for little things. Atticus wont believe, listen to or follow the lies and racism of Maycomb county. He follows his heart and his own mind, which tells him different than what everyone else thinks. He does what he thinks is right, not thinking of color, gender or race. Atticus is different and special in his own way.
Finch is his surname. And since it is, it must mean something. He is a community bird, for one thing; Atticus too has a strong sense of community. He always tries to maintain friendly relations with his neighbors and townspeople. Also the little bird has a gentle personality, just like Atticus does. Where there's conflict, calmly explains what's right to his children. Atticus "sings" nothing but happiness and helpfulness to Jem and Scout as they grow up. Heck, maybe he's like a mockingbird as well.
The sun
(Yes I know you can't bag it either but it's easy to find and look at)
Atticus can be represented by the sun because without him, we wouldn't be able to see the differences between things. We wouldn't be able to see what's right and wrong in the story. The darkness represents the racism, and the sun (Atticus) shows us the real truth without any blindness or clouding. Atticus is that beam of light that give some people hope, like he did to Jem trying to show that not all things are bad in the county. To help show and guide people the way when they're in the darkness, to lead them to better places. He's trying to show the people of Maycomb that it's not the color of your skin that defines who you are, it's what you do and how you act as a human being. That not all black people are made out what they're said to be.
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