S.S.F.I.T
Atticus Finch
Name: Atticus Finch
Appears in: To Kill A Mockingbird
Age: Middle Aged, around 50 yrs old
Occupation: Lawyer in Maycomb
Role in family: Father to Jem and Scout Finch
Background: Atticus grew up on Finch Landing in Maycomb. He was homeschooled and attended law school. He represented Maycomb in the State Legislature and received his first gun when he was 13, and is talented at shooting with accuracy. His wife died when his children were still young, leaving him as a single father. He is close to his most of his family and loves his children dearly, though there is conflict in decisions between what is best for his children with his sister, who disapproves of his ways bringing them up.
Interests/hobbies: Reading the newspaper, talking to his children, justice
Character Analysis: Atticus Finch is a fair and wise man. Though he is not the best at being a fatherly figure and taking care of his children (hiring a black housemaid –Calpurnia- to do so) he voices his wise opinions and always has an answer to his children’s enquiries.
He’s not scared to do what he thinks is right, though it may be socially unacceptable and voices his opinions, a trait which is passed down to his daughter, Scout. He treats everyone equally and his judgement isn’t clouded by prejudice, -unlike the rest of his community- hiring a black maid and defending a black man.
Though he is skilled at many things, he doesn’t like to boast about them, unlike others. An example is of his terrific aim; when he shot down the mad dog in one go.
He is very calm and collected, not losing his anger at extreme times, like the time when Bob Ewell spat in his face. He prefers “words over actions” and often teaches his feisty daughter not to fight with others; often telling her to “climb into their skin and walk around in it”. He is admired and a role model for his children and community.
