To Kill a Mockingbird

Although Atticus is often held up as a paragon of virtue (and correctly so in many ways), there are contradictions in his character. For example, he buys his children air rifles but does not teach them to shoot. He condones the shooting of some birds but not others. More seriously, he treats black and white people equally, but does not seem to do anything to change the status quo, even though he is in a position to do so, being on the legislature. Is Atticus a product of his time, or ahead of his time, or both?

Atticus is ahead of his time.  He hopes that by his actions others will follow his lead.  He is wise enough to know that even though he is in a position of power, he must not move too quickly or rashly since people do not easily adjust to change.  Who among us does not have contradictions in our characters?  I am sure you have also uttered the "do as I say not as I do" mantra to your children or students.  No one is perfect, but Atticus was more good than ungood.  :) 

I think I would say Atticus is ahead of his time but also ahead of our time. The idea that race, gender or any other differences that create bias could be overlooked is an ideal we still do not see in many people even today. This is what makes this novel so timeless in that while the times have changed and the laws have changed, many of the underlying sentiments have not.