I need to know about Atticus' character as described in the first four chapters.

In order for you to describe Atticus effectively, you need
to look at some of his most significant quotes that Scout uses to describe him. She
describes his job (pg. 4-5), his relationship to the society in short (pg. 5), and his
relationship with his kids. As the book proceeds, we see more and more details that
demonstrate Atticus raising his children with moral strength but in a detached way.
Perhaps Lee does this because it is the case of most children with their parents. Here
are some quotes to consider reviewing:

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Jem and I found our father
satisfactory: he played with us, read to us, and treated us
with courteous detachment.
(6)

But there came a day when Atticus told us
he’d wear us out if we made any noise in the yard.
(12)

Atticus had said Jem would be delighted to show me
where my room was. I think some money changed hands in this transaction, for as we
trotted around the corner past the Radley Place I heard an unfamiliar jingle in Jem’s
pockets. (16)

Atticus is a
great teacher of his children. We see this as Caroline gets upset that Scout already
reads and writes. We see this as on pages 22-23 Atticus explains how trade works during
the depression.

Look at this lesson he teaches Scout in
chapter 3's end:

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“First of all,” he said, “if you can learn a
simple trick, Scout, you’ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never
really understand a person until you consider things from his point of
view-”

“Sir?”

“-until you
climb into his skin and walk around in
it.”

We can tell Scout has a
respect for her father, but using his first name certainly demonstrates this courteous
detachment between the kids and their father.