The novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, tells a story about a young girl named Scout who learns a valuable lesson on the evil of prejudice, true courage, and not to judge others. Set in the mid 1930s, Scout Finch lives with her older brother, Jem, and her father Atticus. Scout is your typical kid with a typical life at that time. But along the way, she also learns many important things. Many of her townspeople are racist but Scout somehow retained some empathy for others. She believes that everyone is equal and should be treated equal. Scout's character is someone whom will stick to her own perspective no matter how cruel and racist other people can be. In her adult world, Scout learns to treat all people fairly with dignity and respect. .
One of the most important role models in Scout's life, is her father, Atticus. Atticus is a small town lawyer who deals with a very tough case involving a black man and his rights. Although Atticus is a single father, he manages to teach his children right from wrong. He makes it a common practice to live his life as he would like his children to live theirs, and therefore displays the characteristics of an honest, respectable, and kind man. Atticus demonstrates his feelings for example, by showing the highest respect for everyone in Maycomb, regardless of their color or class. His serious defense for Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman, proves his high ideals. Throughout the trial process, Atticus shows Jem and Scout that a true person is standing up for what you believe in, and all human beings, despite their race, deserve respect. Atticus not only shows his non prejudice ways through defending Tom Robinson, but also through his everyday dealings with Calpurnia, the cook. He refuses to fire Calpurnia despite Aunt Alexander's wishes, showing the high value he puts on Calpurnia. Atticus even goes as far to say he considers Calpurnia as a faithful member of the family.