Harper Lee's novel To Kill a Mockingbird was published in the year of 1960, and is one of the few American classic novels awarded the Pulitzer Prize. The racism that is prevalent in many southern American towns in the 1930s is brought to life with profound imagery in To Kill a Mockingbird. There are several characters in the book, yet the true main character is the narrator's father, Atticus Finch. He is a man of great integrity and intelligence. A very heroic figure in more ways than one, Atticus possesses traits like being principled, determined, and, more importantly, he teaches others. When looking at To Kill a Mockingbird, one can see that Lee uses lots of description, dialogue, and actions to portray Atticus as a heroic individual. …show more content…
He will stop at nothing to stand out and speak up for what he believes in all of the time. As it was mentioned earlier, Atticus has a very demanding career. Tom Robinson, the young man Atticus defends, pays for the ignorant and hurtful stereotypes that are made in Maycomb every day. There is the fear of black male sexuality, brought about by stories of white women being raped and beaten by black men. "As you grow older, you'll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don't you forget it- whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash" (220). When the Ewell's charge Tom with rape, his decisions come not from facts of life, but the general classification and stereotypes of Maycomb. "The one place where a man ought to get a square deal is in a courtroom, be he any color of the rainbow, but people have a way of carrying their resentments right into a jury box" (220). Others don't take the time to understand Tom, instead fearing and distrusting him. Tom isn't the only race in Maycomb that is victimized, however. Dolphus Raymond is a prime example of the town's lack of judgment. Dolphus has been labeled as a drunk who lives among the black community. When Dill and Scout sit and talk with him, they find the only beverage he "abuses" is Coca-Cola. Basically, the entire town believes that some people should just be completely
Atticus Finch revealed his definition of heroism as “when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.”
Caring and noticeable is Harper Lee's, To Kill a Mockingbird take readers to the source of humans action, through faults and experiment, kindness and trouble, hatred and love, and the struggle between blacks and whites. Atticus Finch is a lawyer and a single parent at Maycomb town in the 1930’s. He was set by the judge to defend the guy who was charged with raping a white woman: Tom Robinson(Black man). Friends and neighbors of Atticus Finch were not happy with the fight Atticus was putting up to defend the man who was charged for raping a white woman. Not only does Atticus enjoy being a lawyer, Atticus even enjoy being a father of Jem and Scout. Atticus Finch is a excellent character who is known for certain accomplishment and superior. He is known for many stuff. Atticus Finch has remained a hero in modern days for american literature for decades and an honorable figure due to his honesty as a parent, a lawyer, and a respectable community members.
During the 1960s – a time period full of racism and prejudice in the Southern United States – Harper Lee presents the character, Atticus Finch, as a symbol of hope and justice in her revolutionary novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus, a lawyer and single father, fights against social and racial injustice throughout the book. When a black man is accused of a crime he did not commit, Atticus takes the case and wholeheartedly defends the man. His courageous efforts to be a good lawyer and father show his admirable morality. Atticus Finch stands as a prime example of a man of honor.
When people think of heroes, they will likely think of Superman, Spiderman, or the Hulk, but Harper Lee, the author of To Kill a Mockingbird, has created a new hero. His name is Atticus Finch. Scout, Atticus’s daughter, says, “Our father didn’t do anything. He worked in an office, not a drug store. Atticus did not drive a dump truck for the county, he was not the sheriff, he did not farm, work in a garage, or do anything that could possibly arouse the admiration of anyone” (Lee 118). Although Scout does not consider her father to be neither youthful nor energetic, he does what all heroes do- he protects the innocent. The main theme of To Kill a Mockingbird is destroyed and preserved innocence, and without Atticus protecting the innocent, all innocence would be destroyed. Atticus embodies the theme of To Kill a Mockingbird and shows heroism by setting a good example for the children and the townspeople, giving insightful advice to his children, and protecting an innocent African American man before the civil rights era had even begun.
"I was born good but had grown progressively worse every year” (Lee 107). A novel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee was about civil rights and racism in America based in the 1930s. Scout Finch is a young curious girl who is very helpful and tries to inform others about information that she thinks that she knows. Her father, Atticus, is an attorney who tries to prove that this black man did not rape Miss Ewell. Scouts bravery is shown when someone tries to kill her and her brother Jem and she gets away.
To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee is a beautiful story depicting a family living in the South of the 1930’s, and their struggle against the prejudice which was common to that time. The book centers on Atticus Finch, the father of the family as well as a lawyer, and his fight against prejudice. We see the story unfold through the innocent eyes of his young daughter, Scout, who is free from prejudice and not yet jaded. By viewing events as Scout sees them, the author shows us how to overcome prejudices, and gain tolerance.
Merriam Webster’s Dictionary defines a “hero” as “a person admired for achievements and noble qualities”. Atticus Finch based on the historical novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is considered to be the number one hero of all time. This is because Atticus is selfless, caring and brave. Also since Atticus killed a rabies infected dog named Tim Johnson to save others in maycomb country. Secondly he is a hero because when spat in his face he maintains his composure. In short Atticus Finch is a hero because he treats others kindly with respect is and he is willing to put his life after others.
“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.
Harper Lee's reaction to the success of "To Kill a Mockingbird" was a strange one. She said she didn't expect it to be such a success. She was hoping someone would like it, and give her a chance. In 1957, Lee met with editor Tay Hohoff in a meeting to discuss her novel. They were in New York at the time. Nelle was an airline reservation agent for 8 years to support herself while writing the manuscript "Atticus." It was about a girl named Scout Finch and her father Atticus Finch, who was a lawyer. Atticus was given a case to represent a black male accused of rape. This was during the 1930's, when racism and segregation was very alive. It shows us what the blacks had to endure while living in the south. The book has a strong meaning about racism and stereotyping.
The author, Harper Lee, uses Atticus Finch as a godly archetype. Atticus represents Jesus in his own ways. He forgives those who rebel against him and tries to save the county of Maycomb. He wants the county of Maycomb to look past the color of someone’s skin, and look at their insides.. Harper Lee wrote this novel in 1926. The United States still faces racism today. Martin Luther King Jr. once said in the 1920’s, “ look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their
During the 1930s, the southern United States was a hard place to live due to the Great Depression. The south was filled with almost as much poverty as it was racism. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, courage was a very stong theme. A character that strongly represents courage is Atticus Finch, an open-minded man that was ahead of his time.
In the 1900s, all over America, discrimination and cruelty was commonplace. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch is an outcast of sorts in the society of Maycomb, Alabama. He is fair, level-headed, and just overall a man of true character. His personality is important in the development of Scout and Jem. In the story, a mockingbird is described as innocent, peaceful, and harmless. Through his words and actions, Atticus Finch’s symbolic representation of a mockingbird is illustrated throughout the novel.
In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus describes courage as “when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do.”, and Atticus fits his own definition very well. Atticus did not shy away from his difficult situations by any means, but also he had the guts not to do things that might cause a problem. Atticus also doesn’t let what people think of him determine what he does, he doesn’t separate himself from other classes. Atticus shows courage by being a real gentleman, and helping to do the right thing for anyone and everyone.
It is rare to find a courageous and sympathetic person who is willing to stand against social injustice. In Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus represents this rare hero. He is a lawyer and a single parent to his kids Jem and Scout. He understands that society should not be black and white and helps those who are mistreated. Not only does Atticus demonstrate acts of courage and empathy, he is also an excellent role model to his children. Atticus represents the qualities of a true hero by exposing injustice, and through courageous and sympathetic activities, teaching his children moral values.
One of the most interesting characters in To Kill a Mockingbird is Atticus Finch. He is a good representation of someone that is strong while keeping in mind other’s feelings. Throughout the book Atticus is show as a kind man who really cares for the people of Maycomb County. However, he still demands justice when someone is treated unfairly, even for the likes of a black man. Atticus Finch is very influential and yet still listens to what needs to be heard. In “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Harper Lee portrays Atticus as a man who values justice, wiseness and fair-mindedness.