What are three ways that Atticus Finch shows his intelligence in the beginning, middle and end of To Kill a Mockingbird?

After 's
first day of school, she wants to quit and be "home schooled" ashad been. Atticus is
adamant, however, that she receive a proper education at the local public school. He realizes
that it may not be easy to convince Scout to return, so he devices a "compromise": He
will continue to read to her each night without revealing this to Miss Caroline. Scout goes
along with the slightly devious plan, and she slowly learns to adapt to her teacher and the ways
of the school. Atticus adds other wise words of advice, that Scout would

"... never really understand a person until you consider things
from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." 
()

Atticus teachesa lesson about
respect and "real courage" when he forces his son to read for Mrs. Dubose for a month
as punishment for nearly destroying her prize camellias. In the end, Jem learns that he has
helped the old lady to kick her morphine addiction and that there are different forms of
bravery: It does not always come in the form of "a man with a gun in his hand," as
Atticus had done when he killed the mad dog. Instead, real courage

"... is when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and see
it through no matter what."  ()

Atticus's intellect is evident throughout the trial of Tom Robinson. He is able to
determine that Mayella's injuries could only have been caused by a left-handed man: Tom's left
arm was crippled. He gets Mayella to admit with nod of her head that her father was not always
"tollable" when he had been drinking, presenting the possibility that it was Bob who
had beaten her. And when he "rained questions on her," Atticus managed to extract
contradictory statements from Mayella. He even presents the possibility that it was not the
first time Bob had beaten--or possibly even raped--Mayella when Tom reveals that

"... she never kissed a grown man before... what her
papa do don't count."  ()

In all, it was enough damning evidence to convince an honest jury to acquit his
client--had his client not been black and the jury all-white.