Atticus Finch Hero

Whether in the form of a living person or a fictional character from a book or movie, heroes are prevalent in everyone's life. The typical view of a hero is someone who fights crime or saves people from mortal peril, but the true definition of a hero is a person of distinguished courage admired for their brave deeds and noble qualities. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch is the true definition of hero. Although he wasn't seen as a hero during the time the book took place, Atticus Finch is considered to be one of the most heroic figures in American Literature because of his courage, intelligence, and sense of what is right and what is wrong.

Atticus Finch is remarkably courageous throughout the novel. Atticus does not retaliate when Bob Ewell spits in his face, goes to Tom’s cell knowing there would be a mob, and does his best in court to exonerate Tom. Firstly, Atticus does not retaliate when Bob Ewell spits in his face. Atticus says “ ‘...if spitting in my face saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that’s something I’ll gladly take’ ” (Lee 218). Atticus is being disrespected in one of the worst ways by a man he could destroy, but knows that he was helping a victim of abuse, Mayella, so he does not make things worse by retaliating. Secondly, Atticus knows there is a mob coming, but nevertheless goes to Tom Robinson’s cell to defend him. Atticus knows the possibly dangerous mob is coming, with Scout observing “He seemed to be expecting them” (150). However, Atticus recognizes that he is Tom’s only hope, and utilizes his immense courage to face the mob. Thirdly, Atticus does his best to defend Tom in court. As Scout tells us, “Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed” (241). Atticus knows from the beginning he has next to no chance to win the trial, but still tries for Tom’s sake, for the other black people in the community, and for the chance he could appeal it and change laws for the good of African Americans. Atticus is an amazing example of courage in the face of adversity for his actions in To Kill A Mockingbird.

. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee shows how fear and racism has characterized someone’s potential in to being a “mockingbird.” Harper Lee clearly sets up most characters as either a hero, or villain through unique ways without looking at a hero as “man with a gun” (112 Lee). Although, Atticus seems to be the claimed hero in the story, some other improbable heroes are evident such as, Arthur Radley and Mrs. Dubose. The actions they have done raises them into the unlikely hero status is also the one reason that hurts them so much. In “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Harper Lee portrays true heroes as people who persevere through hardships, even though they will suffer the consequences of their actions.

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.

Atticus Finch is a man of principles who is consistent in his views and deeds throughout the novel. Although he is criticized and mocked by many characters in the novel for his tolerant attitude towards the ‘Negros’, people of Maycomb still respect him and keep re-electing him to be their representative in the State Legislator. According to Miss Maudie Atkinson words to Scout, Atticus is a man who does for other people the unpleasant things they have to do. He is a defender of justice and he fights for it even if he is sure that he will be beaten at the end. He also tries throughout the novel to pass these values onto his children.

Atticus is a firm believer in equal rights and to show this he did his best to treat everyone fairly. He has noticed the racism going on in the town and he is not okay with this, to show this, Atticus teaches his kids that racism is unfair and unreasonable “ “As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men everyday

In the novel, Atticus expresses one of man’s highest ideals, courage in the face of defeat. Atticus is appointed to defend Tom Robinson, a Negro who was accused of raping Mayella Ewell. He simply is defending Tom because it was the right thing to do. He knows he would cause him troubles and perhaps his children will be involved, but Atticus is a very moral person. Another reason why he decides to defend Tom is to teach his children to do the right thing. Even though he accepted the case, he knows that he is going to lose: “‘Atticus, are we going to win it?’ ‘No, honey.’ ‘Then why–’ ‘simply because we were licked a hundred years

Atticus Finch is arguably one of the most recognizable characters in literature. Although he has a fairly one-dimensional character and undergoes no character development, he is easily recognizable as a hero in To Kill a Mockingbird. He serves as the epitome of justice and doing what is morally right. He displays various traits which justify his identification as a hero. A hero is defined as “a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.” All of these are the basis of Atticus's character. Through his actions is he able to create this image for himself. Some of his characteristics defining him as a hero are his parenting, his steadiness in his morality and other beliefs,

There are many people in the world with a good character. Atticus Finch, in the realistic fiction book To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee is one of those people. In Maycomb, Alabama, Atticus was a well respected lawyer and father of two children. The book shows Atticus's good character when he defends Tom Robinson, a black man, against the charge of raping a white, teenage girl. In the time the novel took place, it was a time of racial discrimination towards the black people.

This quote confirms that Atticus is not only an exemplary parent to Jem and Scout, but he is also aware that his decision to protect Robinson takes an abundance of courage. Protecting an African-American is not something that most people in Maycomb are willing to do, and it is

In today’s society, a hero is often seen as someone who puts themselves into a directly fatal situation for the purpose of saving other people. A hero is less often thought of as someone who teaches lessons that in turn, could easily save lives. In Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus Finch is a hero to his children, and to Tom Robinson. Atticus devoted a year to defending Tom Robinson when all odds were stacked against him. He spent his time with his children teaching them right from wrong. He tried not to push his opinions on them so they could become their own people, but he tried to set a good example. Atticus very rarely put himself in direct danger because of his actions, but because of his opinions. His opinions affected the views of the people of Maycomb. Atticus Finch was a hero in the most day to day sense.

The word hero does not have a universal definition. Some may say that a hero is a person who fights against monsters or criminals to save the day, or people who have superhuman qualities. Some may claim that a hero is more about what the person has inside of them and can be a seemingly average person in society. In general, heroes can live among us everyday. In Harper Lee’s stellar novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch is portrayed as a kind man with a good head on his shoulders. Atticus Finch has broken out of the narrow literary definition of hero and has created his own category: a common man with exceptional, noble qualities. Atticus Finch should be considered a hero because Atticus was kind to the people of Maycomb, led his kids

The innocent people of Maycomb are being impacted by the injustice that is happening in their town. Atticus seems to be the only person who is able to voice his opinion on the prejudice happening in the town, by attempting to speak up when he takes charge in the Tom Robinson case. Atticus attempts to show the town that it is not right to judge someone simply because of their race,but that they should be given an equal chance like everyone else. Atticus stands up for his belief and fights for what he believes is right, though knowing that there is a small possibility that he will win this case. Justice isn’t necessarily what the majority believe as seen when Atticus says “Well, most folks seem to think they're right and you're wrong”(120,Lee).

In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee explores the concept of moral courage, and in Atticus Finch, gives the model of a good man who has courage, intelligence, and compassion. He shows this throughout the novel by first being courageous by taking the case, then being intelligent by being clever throughout the trial, lastly he was compassionate when he accepts Boo Radley’s privacy. Atticus Finch was a great example to his community and children by demonstrating these traits.

Atticus ,in his speech, was obviously fighting for equality since the words that he said are very controversial and challenging to the close-minded citizens of Maycomb. Also, Atticus refuses to give up on his beliefs so that the people of Maycomb would stop mistreating him. In this novel, Scout - influenced by the opinions of the citizens of Maycomb- asks Atticus if what he was doing to Tom Robinson is right, he told her “ before I can live with other folks I’ve got to live by myself. The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority