Heroes are not invincible, and certainly are not the ones who always win; however, a hero is someone who, despite this, is courageous enough to fight for what is right. Atticus Finch, one of the most inspiring literary characters from the highly acclaimed novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, is an example of such. This classic novel is told from the perspective of Scout Finch, Atticus’ daughter, a young girl who lives in the town of Maycomb County, Alabama, in the 1930s, a town where prejudice and discrimination is rife. Rather than succumbing to societal expectations and adopting the extreme animosity held by the other citizens, Atticus views and treats all with the dignity and respect that they are entitled to, guiding his
Atticus defends Tom Robinson against his own race despite knowing the fact that before the trial even begins, he's going to lose. He knows that many of the whites living in Maycomb want to see Tom Robinson, an African American accused of raping and beating a white woman, killed. He started receiving threats from whites men but that doesn't stop Atticus from doing what he thinks is right. When he acts with integrity, he received more support and love from the African American
In a racist town during a desolate time period that epitomized hypocrisy, Atticus, an influential white citizen, proves to be an outstanding role model for people both inside and outside the book. He exemplifies empathy and moral and physical courage, giving his kids the sense of what is right and what is wrong, as well as teaching them several essential traits that will mold their lives in a positive direction. His principles indicate that several problems in society, such as racism, can be overcome, resulting in positive outcomes. Harper Lee’s highly lionized novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, illustrates Atticus as a respectful, heroic figure who is idolized by several people, especially his children, Jem and Scout Finch.
In Harper Lee’s novel “To Kill a Mockingbird”, Atticus is one of the characters who are shunned from the mainstream of the society. Atticus Finch is an unforgettable lawyer and an admirable widowed father of two impressionable children; Jem and Scout. He is a courageous, and a wise gentleman who exemplifies whatever he teaches. Atticus is a very courageous man. He demonstrates courage several times throughout the novel.
Despite racial inequalities in the South, Atticus sticks to his own morals and agrees to be the defending lawyer for Tom Robinson, a black man being accused of raping a white woman. Although Atticus’ defense in court was thorough and clearly proved Tom’s innocence, the jury was prejudiced towards black folks and convicted Tom as guilty. Nonetheless, Atticus is still a hero despite losing the case. He has the courage to stand up for what he believes in, fights with reason rather than guns, and has utmost determination, making him a hero despite being just an average human being. Ultimately, his thoughts and actions set the stage for major changes in the meaning of equality throughout Maycomb County, changing lives of numerous people.
Harper Lee’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ is one of the most successful American novels in history. Set in the 1930s, it is the story of a fictional white lawyer, Atticus Finch, who represents a falsely accused black man, Tom Robinson. Told through the eyes of Atticus’ Finch daughter, Scout, the book introduced readers to race relations and justice in the south. Atticus was looking to lynch him. As a result, Atticus has been held up as a role model for young lawyers.
The Maycomb men tried to attack Tom Robinson while he awaited his trial in prison. Bob Ewell attacked Scout and Jem Finch because their father had nearly made him lose the case. The injustice of Maycomb can be found in the trial of Tom Robinson, the spite and attacks of Bob Ewell, and the townsfolk’s judging of Mr. Dolphus Raymond. Bob Ewell accused Tom Robinson of rape. The jury judged the accused unfairly because of his skin color.
Bob Ewell depicts the stereotypical white supremacist, Atticus on the other hand chooses his morals over the society’s expectations. When brought the case of Tom Robinson, an alleged black rapist, any lawyer in Maycomb would’ve immediately denied Tom. Atticus chose to defend him, even though he knew he had no chance of winning. He told Scout that he must argue it to uphold his sense of justice and respect, Atticus knew Tom deserved someone to fight for him. This all ties in with what Atticus told Scout,“Remember
Atticus is Courageous in “ To Kill a Mockingbird” Many books have characters that people fall in love with. Exciting things occur to the characters and they start to show their moral personalities. You start to see characters grow from the beginning. Despite of all the hatred in Maycomb, Atticus shows moral, physical, and emotional courage by defending Tom Robinson, in “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee.
In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird prejudice is a theme constantly seen throughout the novel as shown by Atticus when he says “most people are, Scout, when you finally see them” (Lee). Tom Robinson, Aunt Alexandra and Boo Radley all demonstrate this by how they are first mistaken as someone they are not, but as the novel proceeds everyone begins to see who they really are. Tom Robinson is a black man that has been accuse of raping Mayella Ewell, a white woman. In the beginning of the novel the people in the town of Maycomb believe that Tom has raped Mayella. During the court case against Tom Robinson, Bob Ewell everyone in the court room “I seen that black nigger yonder ruttin on my Mayella”(Lee 231).
In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, a quiet town in the 1930s called Maycomb faces social and racial tension among themselves. Atticus Finch, a lawyer and father to Scout and Jem, has decided to represent a black man named Tom Robinson. Tom is on trial accused of raping a 19-year-old girl named Mayella Ewell. Atticus stands up for what he believes in by representing Tom Robinson in the trial, even though he faces scrutiny and threats because of his decision. When Atticus first chooses to make his decision to represent Tom Robinson, he says it is because it is the right thing to do.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is based on a small town in Alabama called Maycomb County; taking place in the 1930’s where there was a substantial amount of racism, many denizens of the community were chauvinists and stuck to the common prejudice opinion on African-Americans. With few people that strayed from the common opinion, it caused Atticus, an egalitarian man, many difficulties with his two children and his job as a lawyer. Atticus, being the strong willed, diligent man he is pushes through, no matter the circumstance. Throughout the novel, Lee exemplifies Atticus Finch as courageous to establish that true courage is when one knows he is bound to fail before he begins, but persists on seeing through even though it may go against the common opinion. Atticus displays courage when taking on a case he knows he cannot win, even though the majority of Maycomb County disagrees with his decision, he proceeds knowing that it is the right thing to do.
In Harper Leeś “To Kill a Mockingbird”, the author portrays many characters that demonstrate exceptional courage. Due to Tom Robinson unfair trial encountered by racism the citizens of Maycomb are affected. They are faced with challenges and need to overcome them. Atticus Finch shows outstanding courage, he is a righteous citizen who is respected by his peers as a lawyer and a person.
The theme of courage is evinced in many ways in the novel. His humanity, allows him to put on the world a look full of wisdom, soothed and thoughtful. Atticus will be committed to defend Tom Robinson, the black man accused of raping a young white woman, Mayella Ewell. Although, he knows he will most likely loose at the first trial since he was going to face jury members who had prejudice against African-Americans.
This case affects the lives of everyone in Maycomb, but especially Scout and Jem. Although racial ignorance results in Tom Robinson’s death, Atticus’ advice and actions demonstrates how considering a different perspective can prevent future tragedies. When putting oneself in another’s shoes, it helps better understand others and their actions. Jem is questioning why Mr. Ewell would do such a thing as to spit in Atticus’ face and threaten him after the trial. Atticus had accused Mr. Ewell of abusing his daughter instead of
