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Atticus Finch As A Hero Essay

Decent Essays

“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view”(Lee 39). Harper Lee uses quotes like this to help characterize Atticus as a wise hero. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus is portrayed as a wise hero through Lee’s various uses of characterization techniques such as setting, symbolism, and testimonials.

Atticus Finch is shown to be a wise hero through Lee’s use of setting. At the conclusion of the trial, Jem is distraught that the jury found Tom guilty while talking Atticus states “no, it's not right son” (Lee 284). Atticus believes that all men should be treated equally no matter what the color of his skin is. Atticus disapproval rates begin to soar because he defended a black man but Atticus stands firm in his beliefs. During the trials closing arguments Atticus brings up the truth about the alleged victim Mayella Ewell, Atticus claims that “she did something that in our society is unspeakable: she kissed a black man”(Lee 314). Atticus indirectly points out that is pretty much a death wish to have any romantic relationship with someone of the African-American race. With the trial …show more content…

While explaining the rules of Jem’s new christmas gift to him, Atticus says that Jem can “Shoot all the bluejays you want… but remember it is a sin to kill a mockingbird”(Lee 103). Atticus uses the mockingbird to refer to the African-Americans who are senselessly killed due to the color of their skin. Atticus uses this to symbolize the racial injustice of the setting. “Mockingbirds don't do one thing … that's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird”(Lee 103). The symbolism that Atticus uses to relate to his client shows that he believes that something so innocent does not deserve to die. Atticus instills these values in his children at a young age so that they don't grow up and repeat the same mistakes of the current society. Lee’s use of symbolism helps portray atticus as a

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