Gentleman
The concept of being a gentleman appears frequency in To Kill a Mockingbird, and in two main forms; the first is doing the right thing when it needs to be done and the second is being graceful.
1) Atticus always does the right thing; when he was appointed to Tom Robinson's trial, he did the best job that he could; when the rabid dog endangers the towns people, he stands alone and tries to stop it; and when Tom Robinson is killed, Atticus goes to speak with his wife in person, to show that he really cared. Atticus is showing Jem that being a gentleman is more than just following what others do, it's about doing the right thing, even when no-one else will and you end up standing alone, because you know what your doing is right.
2) To be graceful rather than arrogant is another value that Atticus tries to instill upon his children. He tells Jem to "Hold his head high and be a gentleman." Atticus shows his understanding that while it is important to always do the right thing when you have the choice, sometimes it is simply better to grin and bear people's attitudes as trying to do the right thing may cause more bad than good.
1) Atticus always does the right thing; when he was appointed to Tom Robinson's trial, he did the best job that he could; when the rabid dog endangers the towns people, he stands alone and tries to stop it; and when Tom Robinson is killed, Atticus goes to speak with his wife in person, to show that he really cared. Atticus is showing Jem that being a gentleman is more than just following what others do, it's about doing the right thing, even when no-one else will and you end up standing alone, because you know what your doing is right.
2) To be graceful rather than arrogant is another value that Atticus tries to instill upon his children. He tells Jem to "Hold his head high and be a gentleman." Atticus shows his understanding that while it is important to always do the right thing when you have the choice, sometimes it is simply better to grin and bear people's attitudes as trying to do the right thing may cause more bad than good.