Harper Lee is most famous for her class, American-literature novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. Lee created a story that reflects compassion, loss of innocence, and the courage to break barriers in the midst of adversity. By creating this novel, she built one of the most model, male figures in all works of writing: Atticus Finch. Today, Atticus Finch is seen as a literary hero, and a role model for many people. From his wise council, to his unprejudiced love and care for others, Atticus Finch lives up to the strong title of being a hero.
In the small town of Maycomb County, Alabama, not too many residents were fond of the African-American people living in the community, and when it came down to legal matters, it would take more than a miracle to prove the innocence of an African-American once accused of guilt. In the story, Atticus is appointed to defend an African-American man accused of raping a pathetic, and lonely young girl named Mayella Ewell. Atticus was Tom Robinson’s only chance to escape with his life, and the town was disapproving of his decision to defend an African-American. Despite the cards being played against Atticus, he sacrificed what could have been his life for a man simply because he knew it was right. Atticus went into the case knowing that it could cost him many things that were dear to him. The fact that he accepted adversity even in the presence of impending threats, with no obligation is truly an act of heroism. In an article called Literary Hero, author Jason from Colby states that, “When a hero embraces a higher good, such as equality, or freedom, regardless of personal consequences, be that punishment, ostracism, or damnation, the hero then transcends his humanity.” Jason highlighted one of the most cruci...
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... from a burning building, or even make a dramatic stunt, but simply gave life to someone that had been deprived of it. Atticus says to Scout at one point, “You 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” (Lee 30). Atticus put himself in the shoes of those less attended to, not well liked, alienated, and looked down upon. He touched a place for many people that others refused to touch. He did not only save lives, he saved souls. He preserved the part of a person that lives on forever.
There were many instances in the book where Atticus was simply just being the kind man that is expected, but not always achieved out of most people. Although in some cases Atticus really exceeded the norm, and became a hero. In his case, the quality of his acts overthrew the quantity of them.
Compassionate, dramatic, and deeply moving, Harper Lee's, To Kill a Mockingbird takes readers to the roots of human behavior, to innocence and experience, kindness and cruelty, love and hatred, and the struggle between blacks and whites. Atticus Finch, a lawyer and single parent in a small southern town in the 1930's, is appointed by the local judge to defend Tom Robinson, a black man, who is accused of raping a white woman. Friends and neighbors object when Atticus puts up a strong and spirited defense on behalf of the accused black man. Atticus renounces violence but stands up for what he believes in. He decides to defend Tom Robinson because if he did not, he would not only lose the respect of his children and the townspeople, but himself as well.
Atticus remained a pillar of righteousness in a town whose moral foundation was weak to say the least. When Atticus took Tom Robinson's case, he didn't treat the case differently from any other he might take on. He knew that there was no way that Tom would be saved from death no matter how well he defended him. From opening to closing statements, Atticus remained vigilant in his defense of Tom.
Atticus Finch is a heroic character in To Kill A Mockingbird. A hero is a person who is known for certain achievements and qualities. Atticus is known for many qualities he displayed during the novel, as well as various achievements. This makes him a heroic character. Atticus Finch is a hero because he defended a black man in court, proved his abilities and intelligences, and cared for everybody equally.
Atticus is shown as a courageous man because he stood up for his beliefs even though it could possibly ruin his reputation. Defending
In this world one does not often encounter a hero. A true hero dedicated his life to putting others before himself. Through his actions as a hero, Atticus plants the seeds of morality in his community and watches them grow.
Atticus Finch shows, in many ways, the true definition of a hero, but no situation was more important than the Tom Robinson trial. In Maycomb, the thought of taking a negro’s word instead of a white man’s was ridiculous to the citizens, especially over a matter as serious as a black man raping a white woman. Regardless of this information, Atticus still takes on Tom Robinson’s case and tries to make as big of a difference as possible. When Scout asks him if he thinks that he will win the case, Atticus subtly replies “No, honey” (76). Atticus goes on to explain, “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try and win” (76). Basically, Atticus believes that just because it is unlikely that he will win, it does not mean that he should just give up without trying. Throughout all the discrimination, Atticus remains tough and tries to achieve his goal, no matter how hard it is. This was an example of moral courage. Even Scout knows how hard her father is trying by comparing Atticus’ efforts to “watching Atticus walk down the street, raise a rifle to his shoulder and pull the trigger, but...
Atticus is a man integrity and morals. Throughout the novel Atticus is always trying to do the right thing in different situations. First Atticus tried to comfort after she told him about her
This novel tends us to picture Atticus as a very courageous man. His definition for this term doesn?t mean bravery or a man with a gun in his hand. He defines courage as ?When you know you are licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what?. Atticus?s courage is represented very significantly and differently in this book. He undertook the case of a Negro who was wrongly accused of raping a white girl. He went against the whole racist community of the town. The opposition of the racist people failed to make him step back from the case. He just fought the case courageously. But the white jury couldn?t possibly be expected to take a black person?s work against the whites.
In Conclusion, Today in our world many people see someone as an admirable leader and heroic figure. Whether it’s a sister, brother, parent, or celebrity, everyone has someone they look up to. Just like the people of Maycomb look up to Atticus Finch. Atticus Finch is a good man who displayed so many characteristics and he is definitely the heroic figure of Maycomb. Atticus presented himself as a calm, courageous, and an open-minded person. His great qualities and personality also won him the respect of African Americans. Only someone with such great pride and honor would be able to accomplish that. When Atticus put his reputation at risk, he knew it was troubling but he was not going to be seen as a typical Maycomb person. Therefore, Atticus is a great impact in the novel, To Kill a MockingBird By Harper Lee.
...ral and resilient nature of Atticus. It took one person to make a difference and challenging situations typically reveals the true nature of what’s within the heart of a man. Will it be decency and honesty or hatred and wickedness?
furthermore through Atticus’s determination it is clear that he is not willing to give up on this case even though he knows that the jury will give the verdict of guilty. This is a truly heroic act because it shows that atticus is willing to spend his time and effort on this case even though the overall outcome will be pointless, this shows that atticus is willing to sacrifice his a piece of his own life to help Tom robinson, not only because this is the right thing to do but because he is a hero who understands that another is currently in distress with what is most likely to be a very grim future. “You will never understand a person until you look from their point of view” this quote also shows that Atticus is a very understanding person because he knows that other people have their own stories and
Atticus Finch, was an important figure in the novel. Not just as a character, but also as a major influence for other characters. He himself though, may be one of the, if not the person who shows the most amount of courage in the story. He exemplifies courage in many situations, the most major ones being tom Robinson’s trial, the killing of Tim Johnson, and his desire to teach that courage to his children, all symbolizing him being the catalyst to eradicating racism in that town. Tom Robinson’s trial is the biggest example of such courage as he is protecting a man whom is wrongf...
The novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee describes a story of heroism through the eyes of a growing girl named Scout. Scout’s father is a lawyer who does his best in defending a black man who was wrongly accused of rape. When he is questioned by Scout on the case he says, “‘I am simply defending a Negro—his name’s Tom Robinson,’” (Lee 100). Atticus was not obligated to actually do a good job of defending Tom. If he did not try his best, no one would say anything because Tom is black. However, Atticus did so much that he was actually threatened by Bob Ewell due to the fact that Atticus was a lawyer with experience and almost persuaded the jury. Another example of heroism is Boo Radley. Radley was almost like a legend, told by children who were not afraid of getting their heads filled with the images of a cat-eating monster. Despite the fact that the siblings Jem and Scout, along with their friend Dill made fun of him and his situation, Boo went out to save them. Bob Ewell was unhappy with Atticus and decided to attack his children. Boo who had not gotten out of the house in years went out outside in order to save two kids. Even Atticus, another man who could be considered a hero thanked him, “‘Thank you for my children, Arthur,’ he said,” (Lee
A hero is idolized and completes outstanding achievements that are admired. Atticus Finch from the story To Kill A Mockingbird is recognized as a hero as for he has many of these characteristics that make up a hero. A first example that shows Atticus is a hero is in his talk with Jem, “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what” (149). This quote explains Atticus’s definition of courage while showing the reader that Atticus Finch has courage because he has done work before, where he knows he has been “licked” before he even started. Atticus signed up to be Tom Robinson’s lawyer even though he already knew they probably weren’t going to win the case because of how the town Maycomb is very prejudice and racist towards black people. A second event in the book where Atticus’s heroism has showed was when Scout and Jem went down to the jailhouse and saw Atticus there, protecting Tom Robinson from the mob of white, angry men that arrived at the jailhouse later in the story. This situation once again shows Atticus’s bravery and courage being that he stood up for Tom, a black man who was wanted dead, while risking his own life. Lastly, a third reason that proves Atticus is a hero is Atticus accepting the opportunity to be a lawyer for Tom Robinson while still knowing what inconveniences were coming his way. Miss Maudie said to Scout and Jem, “I simply want to tell you that there are some men in this world who were born to do unpleasant jobs for us. Your father’s one of them” (288). This quote indicates that Atticus risked his life just to stand up for Tom Robinson even though he knew he would be facing threats and mean comments from people.
“You never really understood a person until you consider things from his point of view—until you climb into his skin and walk around it.” Atticus Finch is a man of extreme integrity. He, as both a lawyer and a human being, stands up for his democratic beliefs and encourages his children to stand up for their own, though they may stand alone. Harper Lee showed how far respect went in To Kill a Mockingbird when Atticus defended Tom Robinson in his rape trial. He did not think twice about being ridiculed by th...