Introduction
To kill a Mockingbird is one of the Novels written by Harper Lee, and the book was brought into public after it being published in the year 1960. To Kill a mocking bird is a fiction story, which took place in a town known as Maycomb. From the book, it is clear that the protagonist is known as Jean Louise, who proved to be intelligent and unconventional. Jean is raised by the brother, who is known as Jeremy Atticus (Lee 60). The two children are brought by the windowed father, Atticus Finch, who was a lawyer professionally He persuaded his children every time to be just and empathetic, and he informed them that it is not right to kill a mockingbird because birds are not harmful, but are innocent. From this, the essay will discuss the second prompt that talks about the respect given to Atticus throughout the town of Maycomb, although he was criticized openly.
From the book, it is evident that as much as people used to criticize Atticus in the town, he was still given respect. The first reason that sheds light on this argument is that Atticus was generous. This is seen from him when he tried to show charity to all members of the town without disregarding their condition and their status. For instance, he showed kindness to one known as Mrs. Dubose as much as Mrs. Dubose is a character that displeases everyone in the town. She realized that Atticus is one of the best men living within the town of Maycomb because he proves to be kind to her each time (62).
Another evident reason that made Atticus to be respected in the town is that he was knowledgeable about his profession. Atticus was a lawyer, and he served most of the people without demanding payment (58). For example, from the novel, he served Mr Cunningham without demanding payment as most of the lawyers are known to have greed for money. This is evident in his conversation with Jem when Jem asks him whether they will be paid, but he replies by saying not with money. This shows that Atticus valued people in the town and did not want anybody to see him like a hungry lawyer because most of the lawyers are known to be hungry for money.
Atticus is seen as a courageous man in the town of Maycomb; in every community, any man who has the virtue of courage is respected by everyone in society. This is the same case with Atticus; he was given respect because he proved to be courageous to most of the people (76). His courage attitude is evident when he decided to remain firm when he was attacked by the mob. When Tom Robinson was tried, Mr. Cunningham stood to be the dissenting voice to favor Tom, and we see Atticus given respect by Mr. Cunningham. This shows that Atticus was a man of principle; he used to stand to his ground and did not want anyone to tamper with his judgment once he has decided to help someone
He also expressed his courage when he stood for the black people in the community because most of the black people were not socially accepted in most of the white communities. As much as most of were criticized for taking the risk of speaking for the black people in the society, he earned respect because, he fought for them and his voice as a lawyer was hard, and therefore, this made him be respected within the community
Atticus was also knowledgeable, and this shows that Atticus was an experienced lawyer with suitable skills, and he decided to use his skills to ensure that most of the people are subjected to receive justice (52). This is seen when he defended Mr. Cunningham, it seems that he was one of the people that took their professionals with a lot of seriousness and because of this he managed to serve people well to the extent of not even requesting for money, and this made people bow for him in the town.
Atticus was also seen to be caring and hard-working; this is seen when Atticus could still hold his family despite the fact that he was a single parent. He could always find time as a father and talk to two children and advise them to be just children in the community alongside his busy schedules. He did not leave his children to get pieces of advice from someone else as much as his daily routine was busy because he had people to serve. This shows how a good father he was to his children, and from that, he was given respect by the members of the community as a good father to his children (74).
The other reason that made Atticus earn respect in the town as much as most of the people used to criticize him openly is that he was moral. This is a principle seen from Atticus when he stood to help Mrs. Dubose no matter how much people did not like her in society. This shows a spirit of unity, and he believed that everyone showed be united in society no matter what dislikes from the members of the community. He stood with her every moment, and this made Mrs. Dubose remember that Atticus did not deserve all the criticism he received; instead, she decided to give him respect in the town (60).
He was also obedient to the members of the society because as much as people were criticizing him openly, he stood to be useful to them and continue to be helpful to them by serving them and being kind, generous, and courageous to them (67). This made him be respected in society because he wanted to prove to them that as much as he has not perfect in his life but still he could stand with them and show them that he is a man of good virtues, and he wants the best for everyone in the society.
Conclusion
Atticus though criticized in the Maycomb town by most of the people because of his actions; he quickly recalled that it is better for a man to be moral in the society. He, therefore, decided to be generous to most of the members of the community; he also developed the virtue of courage and stood firm to his opinions to help those who are vulnerable in society. He also showed kindness to the members of the town who were criticizing him on his face, and because of these virtues, he earned respect from the people.
