Atticus, of Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird, does not comport himself believably because he does not have racist views while almost everyone around him during that time does, he treats his children like complete equals, unlike most adults during that era, and he believes all people has goodness in their hearts, no matter how cruel or heartless they act. Atticus seems very unrealistic in the sense that he does not discriminate towards Blacks, while almost everyone surrounding him does. During the 1930s, in the South, racism appeared omnipresent. In Maycomb County, the majority of the population had prejudiced beliefs, including Atticus' family. For example, Aunt Alexandra and her husband, relatives of Atticus, believe that Tom Robinson committed the crime and believe he deserves punishment due to his skin color. Atticus, on the other hand, feels he must defend Tom in court for himself, Tom, and his children, and that skin color is not a reason to judge a person. Only rarely do people decide not to follow the beliefs that their family, peers, and neighbors have. When Scout asks Atticus if he qualifies as a "nigger-lover", Atticus answers "Don't say nigger, Scout. That's common." meaning he feels that people who discriminate towards Blacks qualify as uncivilized and trashy(75). Another time, Atticus hears that a mob plans to storm the jail and injure Tom. He stands guard knowing that this might put him in grave danger, and all for a man he has just met. This appears very unrealistic in a man who has two children to protect and no suicide wish. Both examples illustrate Atticus' two-dimensional nature, his tolerance and respect for Blacks is entirely unexplained.
             Along with Atticus' compassion toward Blacks, his attitude toward his children seems also inconceivable for the period of time and place he lived. An adult likely would not act as lenient wit
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