Abstract:To Kill a Mockingbird is a well-known novel, written by Harper Lee, a famous American female writer, and it won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1961. The author’s intention was to make people pay more attention to the problem of racial discrimination, so that racism in the United States could be eradicated or alleviated. By analyzing remarks and behaviors of the leading character Atticus, this paper tries to reveal the complexity of Atticus of his different roles in the novel. Furthermore, this paper points out that the Harper intends to prioritize family education of whites and fair social moral values in order to properly address the issue of racism in the south.

Key words: racial discrimination; complexity; conversational analysis

CONTENTS

Abstract

中文摘要

1. Introduction ...1

2. Complexity of the Image of Atticus Finch 2

2.1 Image of Atticus Finch as a Father

2.1.1 Atticus Finch’s Attitude to Jem and Scout

2.1.2 Atticus Finch’s Attitude to Aunt Alexandra

2.2 Image of Atticus Finch as a White

2.2.1 Atticus Finch’s Attitude to Mr. Auther

2.2.2 Atticus Finch’s Attitude to Mr. Tate

2.3 Image of Atticus Finch as a Lawyer

2.3.1 Atticus Finch’s Attitude to Tom Robinson

2.3.2 Atticus Finch’s Attitude to Mr. Ewell

3. Conclusion .7

Bibliography ..9

Acknowledgements.10