To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - The Importance of Atticus Finch :: Kill Mockingbird essays

The Importance of Atticus Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird  Ã‚  Ã‚   The core character of a novel is responsible for maintaining the stability of society within the novel, exhibiting qualities of a true hero, and constantly emphasizing the novel’s central themes.   In the classic, To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus Finch serves as the core of the novel by displaying a character of stability, humility, and high moral standards.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Atticus Finch is a character of stability in an unstable society.   He is a balanced figure who is able to cope with the unreasonable and highly emotional town in which he lives.   He can manage the prejudiced white masses and still deal justly with the underprivileged Negro population of Maycomb.   He is one of the few people who understand the individual worth of a person regardless of the color of his/her skin.   This enables him to defend Tom Robinson based solely on the concept of justice and equality.   In his closing argument, Atticus explains that, â€Å"there is one place all men are created equal.   That place is in a court room† (Lee 205).   This justifies the fact that Atticus believes in equality in a society, the equality not only of race, but also of sex, class, and religion as well.   His view of equality and justice is a symbol of his own psychological stability throughout the novel.   Accordingly, in the final analys is of the story, Atticus represents the â€Å"justice† in the community of Maycomb.   His stability throughout the book is one of the many characteristics that depict Atticus Finch as the novel’s core.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In a town of such undeserved glory, Atticus Finch is the one character who is worthy of glorification.   Yet, his humility further illustrates Atticus as a man of pure stability.   Surrounded by the self-righteousness of others, he is able to remain emotionally grounded.   Atticus Finch is a highly accomplished man of great intelligence, but even greater meekness.   For example, during one of their chats with Miss Maudie, Scout learns that her father’s childhood nickname was â€Å"Ol Shot† (Lee page #), which referred to his unbelievable marksmanship.   When Scout becomes excited about telling all of her friends about her father and his incredible talent, Jem says, â€Å"I'd reckon if he wanted us to know he’d a told us.   If he was proud of it he’d a told us†¦ but Atticus is a gentleman†¦and people in their right minds never take pride in their talents† (Lee 98).

Dostoyevsky’s The Underground Man Essay

In Notes from Underground, Dostoyevsky describes a character burdened with significant inner conflict over love which interferes with his ability to think rationally, prevents him from developing lasting friendships, and cause him to believe he has found true love following a sexual encounter. After being bumped by an officer in a tavern, the Underground Man became obsessed with â€Å"revenge† against the officer and planned a subsequent encounter where he could â€Å"bump him with [his] shoulder† and not ‘yield an inch,† (133, 135). The Underground Man wants the officer to treat him with dignity and respect and as his equal. However, the Underground Man’s inability to develop an actual relationship with the officer or even engage in a conversation with him is indicative of the Underground Man’s inability to think rationally. This passage shows that the Underground Man’s desperate desire for human interaction irrationally causes him to seek a negative human encounter. Instead of confronting the officer directly, the Underground Man spends months obsessing about the officer before he finally engages in pitiful revenge that leaves him feeling like a failure. The Underground Man learns he is an unwanted guest when one of his former college acquaintances tells him that he has only been invited to a dinner party because he â€Å"insisted on joining† them and the Underground Man feels â€Å"crushed and humiliated† that his supposed friends don’t really want him at the party (153). This is another example of the Underground Man seeking friendship but his base and rude nature interferes with his objective. He becomes so concerned that his college friends are ridiculing him that he insults one of them. As a result, his friends are disgusted with him and clearly wish he would leave. Although the Underground Man believes he has fallen in love with Liza and wishes to save her from a life of prostitution, he concludes â€Å"loving means bullying and dominating† which causes him to insult Liza by paying her for sex thereby treating her like a lowly prostitute (199). The Underground Man’s attempt to save Liza is misguided. He does not have a better life to offer Liza. He may have additional monetary security but he lives in misery without any close human connections and his life experience is less fulfilling than most prostitutes. The Underground Man has lofty goals of saving Liza from a life of prostitution but he ends up insulting her by thrusting money into her hand as he leaves his apartment. Dostoyevsky’s created a desperate and lonely man torn apart by inner turmoil and conflict. The Underground Man sought love and friendship but ended up with tragedy, hate and loneliness because he was unable to think rationally, he allowed his ego to interfere with his ability to create and maintain friendships and he insulted and alienated a woman who may have loved him.

Family, Mystery, the Pursuit of Knowledge, Unconventional Thought, Love and Romance - What Ties Mary Shellys Frakenstein to Tony Morrisons Sula Free Essay Example, 1500 words

Shelley and Morrison are also careful to note that even though families can shape and affect an individual s life; people can still choose to lead different lives. Shelley s novel points out that despite rejection by family, individuals choices and decisions will ultimately determine their outcome in life. Victor is appalled at the sight of his creation, the monster. After seeing its disturbing appearance, he flees from the lab. In turn, the monster seeks solace in the woods, near a peasant family s cottage, the De Laceys. He learns language by listening to them, as well as studying a manuscript on literature he collects in the woods. When he sees a reflection of his disfigured face in a nearby pool, he understands why the human race rejects him. His efforts to be reconciled to the race are in vain since most flee from him. Morrison brings out Nel as a compliant lady. She sees some sense in conventional life, although she is unsure. After the fatal accident that leads to the death o f the young boy Chicken Little, she begins parting ways with Sula, her closest friend. We will write a custom essay sample on Family, Mystery, the Pursuit of Knowledge, Unconventional Thought, Love and Romance - What Ties Mary Shelly's Frakenstein to Tony Morrison's Sula or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page