“Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people,” said Nelson Mandela, a real life, modern day hero who spent twenty-seven years in prison after attempting to overthrow the pro-apartheid government of South Africa then later becoming the first black president of the country. Heroes do what they believe is right even if it causes them great personal suffering. Harper Lee in To Kill a Mockingbird and Alan Gratz in Prisoner B-3087 portray fictional heroes who embrace ideas similar to those advocated by Nelson Mandela.
Like Nelson Mandela, Atticus Finch always does what he thinks is right and fair, even when it is not the popular opinion. One reason that Atticus is a hero is his representation of Tom Robinson at the
In addition, Atticus respects his children, Scout and Jem, as equal human beings even though this is contrary to how adults treated their children. For example, Aunt Alexandra and the other ladies of the town repeatedly tell Atticus that he is raising his children incorrectly. They do not like that he lets them make their own decisions and permits his daughter, Scott, to have short hair and wear overalls like boys do. Again, Atticus does what he believes is right. He thinks that his children should not be talked down to, so he talks to them like adults as best he can. Atticus is a heroic character because he does what he believes is just and fair even when this choice results in public criticism. Finally, Atticus is a hero is that he is straightforward in expressing his convictions. He does not sugarcoat his words nor use force
He supports Tom Robinson, who is an oppressed black man in the South on trial for his life. Yanek is a hero and maybe even more so because while he also supports the Jews who are oppressed by the Nazis in the concentration camps, he is also a Jew in a concentration camp. Both Yanek and Atticus are heroes for themselves and others. Maya Angelou once said, “I think a hero is any person really intent on making this a better place for all people.” make his point as many people in Maycomb do. For example, he says to Jem, "I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's 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." (p. 115). This shows that Atticus does not want his son to rely on a weapon, but his inner strength, his courage even if this courage will not result in winning. In other words, you do what you think is right even if you
Overall Atticus was a hero in a sense of the word. It is proved he acted in such a manner that it could be said his character was built of that definition. Currently more people like him are needed in our world. If more people saw things from the point of view of Atticus the violence occurring because of race would end and people would just see people based on who they were and not what skin
Our hero in To Kill A Mockingbird is Atticus Finch. In this story Atticus finch is a lawyer whose morality and reason makes him the hero of the story. For example in this quote “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you
Although Atticus is not like every other parent, he shows his love to his kids in his own ways. He does not need to be kissing them, hugging them or buying them things to show his affection for them. His ways are unique ways that show that Atticus is a positive parental figure. Another good piece of evidence that shows that Atticus is a positive parental figure is that he sets a good example for the children. He sets a good example by being honest and telling them why he has to defend Tom Robinson even if that decision jeopardizes his reputation and the family. When Atticus was talking to Scout about defending Tom he said, “The main one is, if I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this county in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again” (100). These words show that Atticus values equality and justice and it is setting an excellent example for the kids to follow at such a young age. Atticus defends Tom Robinson, an African American man, because he believes in equality for all. Atticus also mentioned that before he tells the children to do something or follow values he, Atticus, must display them first, and he
Atticus Finch was considered a hero to many of the African American people in his town, but was a disgrace to many of the fair skinned citizens of Maycomb, Alabama. Atticus accepts the offer to be the attorney for Tom Robinson who is an african american Citizen of Maycomb who is tried for raping a young white woman. Many of the people who are rooting for Tom would consider Atticus a hero; of course not the ones that wear a cape and have superpowers but, one that could possibly save a mans life. Of course people in 1930’s south were not as accepting about race as today so people that were white did not think that atticus was a hero but yet a humiliation to his family. Odysseys on the other hand, was looked upon as a hero because of his accomplishments in war. Odysseus is a hero when he uses his intellect to find a way out of the Cyclops’ cave causing him to be a hero ( Homer 224-225). Odysseus’ version of hero is much more different that Atticus because the times are different, and in the time when Odysseus’ was alive he was a clear picture of a hero. He used strategy, he was strong, brave and also the gods favored him. He used his heroic attributes when he found a way out of that cave. Today we may seem some of his actions as unconventional but in Ancient Greece they were key components to being a hero. Atticus and Odysseus have their critics on weather they should be heros
Atticus Finch was a true hero, in my eyes. He had all the essentials to being a hero, such as; respect, equality, and quiet dignity. Sure, Mr. Finch didn’t quite reach his goal of winning the Tom Robinson case, but it was the fact that he attempted it, knowing he would lose. A hero is not someone who achieves something, but is a person that attempts to. The journey to your goal might even be more important than the actual achievement, because on your way to the top, struggles appear and you overcome them by learning new lessons to live by in life. In conclusion, Atticus Finch truly is America’s greatest hero.
In Conclusion, Today in our world many people see someone as an admirable leader and heroic figure. Whether it’s a sister, brother, parent, or celebrity, everyone has someone they look up to. Just like the people of Maycomb look up to Atticus Finch. Atticus Finch is a good man who displayed so many characteristics and he is definitely the heroic figure of Maycomb. Atticus presented himself as a calm, courageous, and an open-minded person. His great qualities and personality also won him the respect of African Americans. Only someone with such great pride and honor would be able to accomplish that. When Atticus put his reputation at risk, he knew it was troubling but he was not going to be seen as a typical Maycomb person. Therefore, Atticus is a great impact in the novel, To Kill a MockingBird By Harper Lee.
Atticus Finch is a heroic character in To Kill A Mockingbird. A hero is a person who is known for certain achievements and qualities. Atticus is known for many qualities he displayed during the novel, as well as various achievements. This makes him a heroic character. Atticus Finch is a hero because he defended a black man in court, proved his abilities and intelligences, and cared for everybody equally.
To Kill A Mockingbird is an iconic book that has dazzled its’ readers throughout the years. The audience quickly falls in love with the quick-tempered, no nonsense girl that is Scout Finch. Readers, also, become fascinated with Atticus Finch, who seems to be a liberalist in a conservative town. Atticus gains a hero status because of his trial defending a wrongly convicted black man. The town and Scout think of Atticus as a revolutionary. Go Set A Watchman, however, contradicts any idea that Atticus is what some call a man before his time. Instead of a hero, he has become apart of the force that he was fighting in To Kill A Mockingbird. The difference in Atticus large, but so is the age difference
Atticus is shown as a courageous man because he stood up for his beliefs even though it could possibly ruin his reputation. Defending
To Kill a Mockingbird "I simply want to tell you that there are some men in this world who were born to do our unpleasant jobs for us. Your father's one of them." – Miss Maudie The quote above states that Atticus Finch was a man who did unpleasant things, but this quote is false. Miss Maudie had every good intention when she told Jem and Scout this and her point was taken in the way she intended it to be taken by the children. Her point could have been better worded if the portion that reads "our unpleasant jobs" were replaced with "what is right." Atticus did unpleasant things only because he knew that they were the right thing to do. Miss Maudie told the children about their father in this way only to avoid saying that the rest of the town was wrong.
"It was times like these when I thought my father, who hated guns and had never been to any wars was the bravest man who ever lived” (Lee 134.) Atticus raised his children in a time period where society treated you by the color of your skin and not for who you are. Atticus and his children are full of confidence and bravery during a time of inequality, depression, and racism. Atticus stood up to what he believed in and he was most importantly brave. His daughter Scout had to stand up to all the hatred she was getting for her father's trial.
Atticus’s real courage drove him to put aside the criticism and risk, and take up and fight the Tom Robinson’s controversial case. It is evident that these three characters in To Kill a Mockingbird display acts of real courage, even when they know they are fighting a losing battle.
In this world one does not often encounter a hero. A true hero dedicated his life to putting others before himself. Through his actions as a hero, Atticus plants the seeds of morality in his community and watches them grow.
Although he is a strong figure in the community, people now see Atticus as a disgrace. They believe he is bringing shame to his family, and call him a “nigger-lover”. His children, Scout and Jem, also suffer the repercussions due to their father’s actions. It is unfair for these young, innocent children to be put through such traumatic events. Atticus Finch is a good role model to his children, as well as to the community. He himself is also like a mockingbird.
Atticus was incredibly courageous taking on tom Robinsons case against the prejudice of Macomb County and he shows incredible courage when he says, "Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try and won." He wants the people of Maycomb to hear the truth about Tom Robinson, "That boy may go to the chair, but he's not going till the truth's told." Chapter 15, Page 146. He was against the whole white community including his own sister practically said that he was a disgrace to his family Atticus tells scout when she asks him why he is taking the case he says "For a number of reasons. The main one is, if I didn't I couldn't hold up my head in town, I couldn't represent this county in the legislature, I couldn't even tell you or Jem not to do something again.