Atticus Finch: A Hero

Nuzhat Islam

Mr. Gould

Intro. To Literature Studies

17 April 2015

Atticus Finch, A Hero What defines a hero? Is it the costume or the superhuman powers? Neither. A hero is a person who has heroic qualities or is known for various achievements. Heroes are all around us. They come in different shapes and sizes. They could be a normal person that is walking down the street. Atticus Finch a character from the novel To Kill A Mockingbird is considered one of the greatest literary heroes of the 20th century. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee published in 1960, is a fictional novel set in 1930s during the Jim Crow era. This book explores civil rights and racism in the segregated Southern United States during this time. It is about how the small

Atticus is known for various qualities that he displayed during the novel as well as various achievements. Even though Atticus failed to save Tom Robinson he is still a hero for multiple reasons. Atticus is a hero because he is brave, shows integrity and is caring.

Throughout the novel, Atticus has demonstrated he is a hero by being brave. Bravery shows you are able to face your fears and stand tall. It is necessary for a hero to act even if they are afraid since they need to do what needs to be done. Atticus did what needed to be done when old Tim Johnson, the dog of Mr. Harry Johnson, became a “mad dog” and was approaching town. Atticus and Mr. Heck Tate, the sheriff of Maycomb County were going to stop it before it came into the neighborhood. At first Mr. Heck Tate was going to shoot it but he was having difficulty. “‘I can’t shoot that well and you know it!’” (Lee 127) so Mr. Heck Tate offered Atticus the rifle. Atticus at first refused, but he realized that he needed to do what needed to be done so he took his glasses off and shot it dead in one try. “Tim Johnson leaped, flopped over and crumpled on the sidewalk in a brown-and-white heap. He didn’t know what hit him” (Lee 127). Atticus is brave

It is necessary for a hero to stand up for what they believe in. They stick to their moral and ethical principles no matter if he gets criticized in the process. He displays his integrity with Mrs. Dubose. She is cranky, vicious, and disliked by most. Whenever Jem and Scout, Atticus’s children pass by her house she always scolds and insults them. “‘You’ll grow up waiting tables if somebody doesn’t change your ways- a Finch waiting on tables at the O.K Café-hah!’” (Lee 135). Atticus always tells them “‘She’s an old lady and she’s ill. You just hold your head high and be a gentleman. Whatever she says to you, it’s your job not to let her make you mad’” (Lee 133). And whenever they would walk by her house Atticus would be courteous and say “‘Good evening, Mrs.Dubose! You look like a picture this evening’” (Lee 133). Atticus still treats her with respect since he is a gentleman. But one day Jem lost his composure because Mrs.Dubose crossed the line. “‘Your father’s no better than the niggers and trash he works for!’” (Lee 135) Jem takes a baton from Scout and destroys all of Mrs. Dubose’s camellia bushes. As a reprimand, Jem had to go to her house every day for a month and read to her. Scout goes with him and they tolerate Mrs. Dubose’s abuse and peculiar fits, which take place at the end of every reading session. Each session is longer than the one before. Mrs. Dubose passes away a little more than