Interview With Atticus Finch (TKAM)

So, Mr Finch, what's your view on racism and prejudice?

A: Well, everyone is definitely entitled to their own opinion. However, I myself try not to be prejudiced against other people just because of their skin colour or background. For example, I wouldn't judge the son of an infamous murderer by his father.

That's the thing all people should do. But more specifically, what do you think about the way people are racist here in Maycomb?

A: Like I said earlier, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I hope that my children will adopt their own attitude towards life, and not be influenced by everyone else to become racist. Racism is a horrible thing. The blacks are not that much different from us, we are all human after all.

Well said. What do you hope your children will become when they grow up?

A: They can be anything they want. I won't try to force them to become, say, lawyer, but as long as it is a respectable profession and that they enjoy it, I won't disaprove.

What do you think you can do to change the mindset of the people of Maycomb?

A: It;s up to them to change themselves. If they want to continue to think like that, it's their own loss.

Why is your character so different from that of other people in Maycomb?

A: It was probably my upbringing, coupled with studying law at Montgomery. I had experienced interaction with blacks and found out that they are not as bad as everyone makes them out to be.

Civil Rights Movement Poster (TKAM)

This is my poster for the Maycomb Civil Rights Movement. Click to enlarge.