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Atticus Finch

Lawyer

Biography

Atticus Finch is a fictional character created by author Harper Lee in her 1960 novel "To Kill a Mockingbird." Set in the 1930s, Finch serves as a lawyer in the racially divided town of Maycomb, Alabama. He is best known for his courageous defense of Tom Robinson, a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman. Through this role, Finch becomes a moral beacon, embodying integrity and empathy. In 1962, Gregory Peck portrayed Finch in the film adaptation, earning an Academy Award for his performance. Finch's character has been widely studied in literature and law for his principled stance on justice and equality. Harper Lee revisited Finch in her 2015 novel "Go Set a Watchman," adding complexity to his character.

Popular Quotes

"In this world, there’s a lot of people who have an opinion, but the opinions of those who stand up for what’s right without expecting anything in return are the ones that last"

Courage Truth Ethics Integrity

"They’re certainly entitled to think that, and they’re entitled to full respect for their opinions... but before I can live with other folks I’ve got to live with myself"

Self-awareness Self-discovery Individuality Inner peace

"We’re making a step—it’s just a baby-step, but it’s a step"

Growth Progress Development Initiative

"The best way to clear the air is to have it all out in the open"

Relationships Truth Communication Trust

"Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird"

Ethics Humanity Innocence Symbolism

"Before I can live with other folks, I’ve got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience"

Self-awareness Individuality Authenticity Inner peace

"Courage is not 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"

Resilience Perseverance Determination Courage

"But there is one way in this country in which all men are created equal—there is one human institution that makes a pauper the equal of a Rockefeller, the stupid man the equal of an Einstein, and the ignorant man the equal of any college president. That institution, gentlemen, is a court"

Justice Equality Human rights Democracy

"The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience"

Self-awareness Individuality Ethics Morality

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it"

Perspective Understanding Empathy Compassion