Student Question
In which part of To Kill a Mockingbird is Atticus described?
Quick answer:
Atticus Finch is described as old and feeble at the beginning of Chapter 10, where Scout notes his age and appearance. She mentions he is nearly fifty, wears glasses, and is nearly blind in his left eye. Despite his seemingly dull job as a lawyer and lack of vices, Scout eventually learns of his significance and skills, such as his marksmanship. Atticus is compassionate and empathetic, qualities he instills in his children, making him a beloved character.
Atticus is described as old and feeble at the beginning of Chapter 10.
Scout never gives any specific physical descriptions of Atticus. The closest you will come is the quotes at the beginning of Chapter 10, when Scout complains about her father’s age.
Atticus was feeble: he was nearly fifty. When Jem and I asked him why he was so old, he said he got started late, which we felt reflected upon his abilities and manliness. He was much older than the parents of our school contemporaries… (Ch. 10, p. 116)
She is concerned because his job is not exciting. He works in an office! Where is the romance in that? Being a lawyer or legislator does not float Scout’s boat. She is too young to realize that what her father does is important. She would rather he operate a dump truck.
More importantly, he looks old.
Besides that,...
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he wore glasses. He was nearly blind in his left eye, and said left eyes were the tribal curse of the Finches. Whenever he wanted to see something well, he turned his head and looked from his right eye. (Ch. 10, p. 116)
All he does is read. He doesn’t have any vices, like drinking, gambling, or smoking. This man is as boring as they come. Scout will not find out until later that he is actually quite interesting, when the mad dog threatens the neighborhood and she learns that her father is a dead shot even with one good eye.
When Scout is disappointed about her father's age and general appearance, she is looking at him from an immature perspective. She has no idea how important her father really is to Maycomb. During the trial, she will learn that he is the town’s social conscience. You don't need perfect eyesight for that.
Note: Book editions will vary, but these page numbers should get you close enough to find the page in your book.
Who is Atticus in To Kill a Mockingbird?
Atticus Finch is the most important character in To Kill a Mockingbird barring Scout, the narrator. Atticus is father to Scout and Jem, and is an attorney in Maycomb, Alabama. In this capacity, he takes on the case of his life when he agrees to defend Tom Robinson, a black man accused of the rape of Mayella Ewell, a young white woman. Atticus is compassionate, patient, and above all empathetic, traits that he tries to instill in his children under circumstances that place his family under great strain. He is a widower, so he is ultimately responsible--with the considerable help of their housekeeper Calpurnia--for raising the children, and their relationship with him (he is a bit old for a father of such young children, and they view him as a bit boring at the beginning of the book) is crucial to the plot of the book. Overall, Atticus is one of the most beloved characters in American literature.