Atticus Finch Adversity

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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” In life, one cannot back down once they are faced with adversity. There is no better statement than King’s that relays the message of upholding your beliefs. In “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, the theme of standing up for what you believe in is developed through Atticus Finch, Calpurnia, and Scout Finch. Atticus Finch is a well respected lawyer in Maycomb County. However, many individuals in the community turn their back on Atticus when he plans to defend an African American man, Tom Robinson, in court. Taking place in Alabama during the 1930s, “To Kill A Mockingbird” accurately portrays the hostile environment for …show more content…

When the men began to whisper to each other with the intention of not awakening the man they plan on hanging, Scout began to sense something was wrong, although she didn’t understand exactly what was occurring. She became terrified when one of the men grabbed Jem. It was her instinct to kick the man who then let go of Jem and fell back in pain. She showed major courage when she confronted Mr. Cunningham about his son in front of the mob. She overcame fear and was able to hold her ground and say what she believed. The scenarios in this novel feature events that one can definitely learn from. Its theme applies not only to the novel itself, but to real life. These three characters do not do anything out of the ordinary by defending themselves, however their courage is admirable. In “To Kill A Mockingbird,” Harper Lee uses Atticus, Calpurnia, and Scout reflect the idea of standing up for one’s principles, even if it is not a popular decision. In the future, the messages in this novel could inspire one to stick up for their views in a time of