"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."(30) The book, To Kill A Mockingbird, written between the 1950's and 1960's by Harper Lee, has many extraordinary characters in it. However some people believe one of the most extraordinary is Atticus Finch. Atticus is a very strong and knowledgeable character. He is middle aged and "Maycomb County born and bred, he knew his people, they knew him."(5) The character of Atticus may be analyzed by examining how people of Maycomb view him, how his children and sister Alexandra view him, and by how he views himself. Although Maycomb County is a small-populated town in the 1930's, there are various views of Atticus. The Negroes of Maycomb believe that Atticus is a good, kind man and respect him for defending Tom Robinson. The most crucial example of their admiration towards Atticus is after Tom is found guilty of rape. "Miss Jean Louise, stand up. Your fathers' passin."(211) Even though Tom is found guilty, they still respect Atticus for defending him. However, perhaps the real reason they respect him is for his beliefs in equality for all men, including Negroes, and in a way he defended all of them in the courtroom.
             Miss Maudie also shows a great respect towards Atticus, which is clearly shown many times in the book. "Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets."(46) It also is made known when she is talking to Jem following Tom's trial. "There are men in this world who were born to do our unpleasant jobs for us. Your father's one of them."(215) "We're so rarely called on to be Christians, but when we are, we've got men like Atticus to go for us."(215) Miss Maudie strongly believes Atticus is doing right by defending Tom Robinson.
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