Thursday, December 17, 2015

What are some quotes that are examples of honor/dignity?From To Kill a Mockingbird

With respect to the concept of honor, the character of
Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird is very closely associated. 
Serving as a sterling example of integrity to his children, Atticus Finch acts always
with the idea of doing what is right. As a paradigm for all that he does, and for what
he desires his children to do, Atticus says something to Jem in Chapter
11,



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



Before the trial
of Tom Robinson, Atticus talks to his brother Jack who inquires why Atticus did not try
to avoid taking the case. Because he feels that this case is"something that goes to the
essence of a man's conscience," (11)  Atticus replies
honorably,


readability="11">

"...do you think I could face my children
otherwise?  You know what's going to happen as well as I do, jack, and I hope and pray I
can get Jem and Scout through it without bietterness, and most of all, without catching
Maycomb's usual disease."
(9)



Always Atticus behaves
honorably towards all his neighbors.  When Mrs. Dubose hurls insults about him to his
children and Jem retaliates by cutting the blooms from her ---, Atticus, nevertheless,
speaks politely to her whenever he sees her.  Furthermore, he requires Jem to make
retribution for his vindictive act by reading to Mrs. Dubose.  He tells Jem that while
Mirs. Dubose has been entitled to her opinion, he would rather that she just insult him
directly instead of through his children.  However, he explains, she is an old, ailing
woman.  Atticus adds,


readability="5">

"but before I can live with other folks I've got
to live with myself."
(11)



After Mrs. Dubose takes
herself off the morphine that she has used to reduce her pain, Atticus tells Jem and
Scout,



"I
wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that 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 you see it through no matter what. You rarely win,
but sometimes you
do."



Even
after Bob Ewell spits in his face, Atticus does not become petty, but tells Jem, with
his usual integrity,


readability="6">

"...see if you can stand in Bob Ewell's shoes a
minute....The man had to have some kind of comeback...You
understand?"



Atticus has as
his motto, "Best way to clear the air is to have it all out in the open."
(30)


Miss Maudie, who is the voice of common sense
throughout the novel, recognizes the integrity and honor of Atticus Finch as she says to
his children,


readability="7">

"If your father's anything, he's civilized in his
heart," (10)


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