Choose a character from a novel or play of recognized literary merit and write an essay in which you (a) briefly describethe standards of the fictional society in which the character exists and (b) show how the character is affected by and responds tothose standards. In your essay do not merely summarize the plot- AP English /Literature Open-ended Prompts

In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, the character of Atticus Finch stands as a symbol of morality and integrity in the fictional society of Maycomb, Alabama during the 1930s. Atticus is a lawyer who is tasked with defending a black man named Tom Robinson, who has been falsely accused of raping a white woman. Atticus is a man who lives by a strict moral code and believes in the fundamental equality of all people, regardless of race or social status. In this essay, I will explore the standards of Maycomb society and how Atticus is affected by and responds to them.