The importance of Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird The main character of a novel is responsible for maintaining the stability of society within the novel, exhibiting the qualities of a true hero and constantly underlining the central themes of the novel. In the classic To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch serves as the core of the novel by displaying a character of stability, humility, and high moral standards. Atticus Finch is a character of stability in an unstable society. He is a balanced figure who manages to cope with the unreasonable and highly emotional city in which he lives. He can handle the prejudiced white masses and at the same time treat Maycomb's underprivileged black population justly. He is one of the few people who understand the individual value of a person regardless of the color of his skin. This allows him to defend Tom Robinson based solely on the concept of justice and equality. In his closing argument, Atticus explains that “there is a place where all men are created equal. That place is in a courtroom” (Lee 205). This justifies the fact that Atticus believes in equality in a society, equality not only of race, but also of sex, class, and religion. His vision of equality and justice is a symbol of his psychological stability throughout the novel. As a result, Atticus ultimately represents “justice” in the Maycomb community. His stability throughout the book is one of the many characteristics that paint Atticus Finch as the core of the novel. In a city of such undeserved glory, Atticus Finch is the only character worthy of glorification. However, his humility further illustrates Atticus as a man of pure stability. Surrounded by the hypocrisy of others, he is able to remain emotionally grounded. Atticus Finch is a highly accomplished man, of great intelligence, but even more meek. For example, during one of their chats with Miss Maudie, Scout discovers that her father's childhood nickname was "Ol Shot" (Lee page #), which referred to his incredible marksmanship. When Scout is excited to tell all her friends about her father and his incredible talent, Jem says, “If he wanted us to know, I'd say he would have told us. If he had been proud he would have told us… but Atticus is a gentleman… and sane people are never proud of their talent” (Lee 98).