ipl-logo

Atticus Finch: Modern Day Hero

1065 Words5 Pages

Atticus Finch- Modern Day Hero In general, the first thing that comes to people’s minds when they hear “hero” is superheroes. Batman, Superman, the works. And fiction can be thanked for this. However, a real life hero has very little to do with superpowers, rather they fight for the good cause, even though others may not support them. Harper Lee’s, To Kill a Mockingbird is not only renowned for its complex themes such as racial inequality and race, but also for Lee’s humorous writing style. The narrator’s father, Atticus Finch serves as an inspiration and hero for many. To Kill a Mockingbird teaches readers that a hero, such as Atticus Finch, does not necessarily have to kill a monster or save a princess, rather if a person possesses …show more content…

Towards the middle of the book, Atticus, as he is a lawyer, decides to defend an innocent black man, Tom Robinson in court. During Atticus’s speech to the jury, he says “You know the truth and the truth is this: some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around women- black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human and to no particular race of men” (Lee 273). Atticus argues that it would be unfair and unjust to convict a man just because he is black. Everyone is born equal; your skin colour does not define the way you act and behave. Atticus also proves this point earlier in the book. During a discussion with his daughter, Jean Louise “Scout” Finch, about racism, his daughter asks Atticus “You aren’t really a nigger-lover, then, are you?” Atticus responds “I certainly am. I do my best to love everybody”. (Lee 144). Atticus loves everyone the same; in his eyes, everyone is equal. Atticus proves to readers throughout the book that he believes in racial equality; skin colour does not change his opinion about what he thinks of a person, even though others in his society might think otherwise. Atticus’ actions and words speak

Show More
Related
672 Words | 3 Pages

The main character in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird is Atticus Finch, a middle aged man living in Maycomb Alabama. Even though he is a southerner he isn’t racist and he believes that everyone should be treated equal, Atticus teaches his children empathy and not to discriminate against other people, he does his by telling them “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.” Even though Atticus treats everyone as equals he gets affected by the town and their prejudice way of thinking. Because Atticus accepts Tom Robinsons case he gets called a “nigger lover” and him and his children get treated differently by the town.

Read More
669 Words | 3 Pages

Atticus continues his statement of defending Tom Robinson with "... But this is a truth that applies to the human race and no particular race of men." However, that quote is only after saying, "... You gentlemen would go along with them on the assumption-the evil assumption-that all Negroes lie." Atticus finishes his statement by expressing, "There is not a person in this courtroom who has never told a lie, who has never done an immoral thing, and there is no man who has never looked upon a woman with desire.

Read More
205 Words | 1 Pages

A court is only as a sound as it jury, and a jury is only as a sound as the men who make it up….” (Lee 274). This quote explains a reason, Atticus did help a black man in front of many. If he did not want things to be equal, then why he would help him in the first place. Another example Atticus said, “A nigger-lover is just one of those terms that don 't mean anything—like

Read More
545 Words | 3 Pages

In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch is portrayed as a hero. He is a hero not only to his children but to everyone around him. Atticus, the father of Jem and Scout Finch, is an ethical, brave, and an influential man. Atticus Finch is a strong person who firmly believes in equal rights for both men and women.

Read More
550 Words | 3 Pages

The protagonist of a literary work is often viewed as a remarkable person with distinctive qualities. These Qualities make the character admirable in the novel. The novel to kill a mockingbird by Harper Lee, illustrate the protagonist as a role model. Atticus has many values, morals and set examples for his children. Atticus Finch is portrayed to be a good father, not racist, and courageous.

Read More
497 Words | 2 Pages

Mahatma Gandhi once said “A true hero is not defined by their strength, but by their ability to inspire and lead others.” In the novel “To Kill A Mockingbird”, by Harper Lee. Lee shares the story of how Atticus Finch, a lawyer and single father of two, defends a color man named Tom Robison who is wrongfully convicted. He defends himself knowing he will get backlash from his home town of Maycomb. He protects Tom from the harsh, racist people of the town.

Read More
868 Words | 4 Pages

In conclusion, Atticus Finch from Haper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, demonstrates humility, fairness, and loves his children very much. Although he had many a chance to boast about his amazing achievements and accomplishments, Atticus never did, but instead chose to keep these skills quiet and low-down. Being black meant nothing much to him either; he believed blacks should get an equal chance at everything and Atticus never judged someone immediately just because of one’s colour or social class. He proved this when he decided to defend the black man, Tom Robinson in front of the entire court.

Read More
743 Words | 3 Pages

Atticus Finch, The Greatest Hero In All Literature Atticus Finch, the lawyer who defended a black man in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is the greatest hero in all literature. The famous book written by Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird is about the narrator and protagonist of the story.

Read More
1166 Words | 5 Pages

Every day in our lives, heroes are all around us. They may not be what society tells us is a hero, like Superman or Batman. They do not wear fancy costumes or have super powers. But these heroes change the lives of the people around them, for the better. Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird is the charismatic, understanding father of Scout and Jem Finch as well as a hard working lawyer in Maycomb County, Alabama.

Read More
599 Words | 3 Pages

The protagonist Atticus Finch in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Nelle Harper Lee deserves the honor of being the number one fictional hero because he has shown strength, demonstrates optimism, and views people for who they are and not for what they look like, all throughout the story.

Read More
800 Words | 4 Pages

Atticus gives his final speech to the jury: “‘You know the truth and the truth is this: some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some Negro men are not to be trusted around our women- black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of man. There is not a person in this courtroom who has never told a lie, who has never done an immoral thing, and there is no man living who has never looked up on a woman without desire.’” (273) There is not a certain person that just acts a certain way; black or white people will be people. They will do bad things and good things it doesn’t matter what they look like or where they come from.

Read More
1146 Words | 5 Pages

(Lee 124) Atticus points out how terrible certain terms are as well as the people that use them. This encourages the children not to use terms like this so as not to become one of these terrible people. The children learn from him that despite how unpopular it is to love and/or support someone or a group of people, you should love everyone despite race or rank. He explains, “I do my best to love everybody...

Read More
303 Words | 2 Pages

According to the Webster’s dictionary, a hero is defined as a person, typically a man, who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements or noble qualities. Atticus Finch defines heroism as “when you know you’re licked before you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do.” Atticus was the only one that stood up for Tom Robinson, a black man accused of rape. He did it, because he knew it was the right thing to do, even though there was a large possibility that he wouldn’t win the case.

Read More
1108 Words | 5 Pages

Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird famously said in his closing arguments: "You know the truth, and the truth is this: some Negroes lie, some Negroes are immoral, some negro men are not to be trusted around women- black or white. But this is a truth that applies to the human race and no particular race of men." (pg 232) What Atticus is trying to convey is a foreign concept to most people in Maycomb county. Atticus is trying to convey a point of equality and no prejudice in a world of social inequality which, as one can imagine, didn 't go over so well.

Read More
604 Words | 3 Pages

Protagonists of a story can quickly become favorite characters of many readers. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch the protagonist is Atticus Finch, the father of Scout and Jem. Atticus has no wife, but he does have a black caretaker named Calpurnia around the house. In addition, Atticus has a controlling sister named Alexandria who moves in with the family towards the end of the book. With the house taken care of, Atticus goes to work as a lawyer, and in this book he defends a black man named Tom Robinson.

Read More

More about Atticus Finch: Modern Day Hero

Related Topics

Open Document