Atticus Finch: Killing Two Mockingbirds with One Stone

1950 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: to kill a mocking bird atticus finch a hero

A tragic story, yet an epic journey; Atticus Finch’s paradoxical story of discrimination and ethical choices unfolds through a case of alleged rape. Atticus, a widowed father of two and a distinguished lawyer, attempts to restore peace and justice in Maycomb, Alabama. Characterized by notable compassion and integrity, he arduously defends Tom Robinson, a black man accused of the rape of a young, white woman. Alongside Atticus, Robinson struggles through the hardships of the prejudice of living the life as a minority. Through the hope and curiosity of Atticus’ children, Jem and Scout, as well as the presence of Boo Radley, a social pariah because of his intriguing past, Atticus overcomes various trials. In addition to a devoted citizen, a father and a lawyer, he encounters many hardships as he tries to piece together a case that creates a riot through a calm and orderly Maycomb. Harper Lee, the author of To Kill a Mockingbird, depicts Atticus Finch’s strength, courage and determination as the characteristics of a well-portrayed epic hero, as well as through his tragic flaw, excessive trust in his peers, throughout the novel.

Atticus tries to prove that this accusation is just an accusation stated by Mayella for revenge and attention; the righteous lawyer hopes that he can prove Tom Robinson’s and his own dignity and respectability to be unquestionable. Atticus finds evidence to clearly prove Robinson innocent, but after much controversy, the jury still refuses to question the credibility of a white girl. Her use of ethos is a fallback for her and for her father, Bob Ewell, and the two family members attempt to cover their stories so as not to lose respect in the town. Luckily, Atticus recognizes his situation and comes to...

... middle of paper ...

...lity and pressure kept Atticus from ever admitting failure. He is a tragic hero, with his trust in all, and an epic hero, with his arduous journey full of ups and downs and his final hardship being the trial of Tom Robinson, in which he has no one to support him. Atticus Finch’s paradox is complicated and doomed from the start, but he would and could not give up.

Works Cited

Jones, Carolyn. "Atticus Finch and the Mad Dog." Bloom Literary Reference Online. Facts on File, 1996. Web. 5 Feb. 2012.

Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. Philadelphia: Lippincott, 1960. Print.

Metress, Christopher. "The Rise and Fall of Atticus Finch." Bloom Literary Reference Online. Facts on File, 2003. Web. 5 Feb. 2012.

Santos, Marlisa. ""Stand Up; Your Father's Passing": Atticus Finch as Hero Archetype." Bloom Literary Reference Online. Facts on File, 2009. Web. 5 Feb. 2012.

Show More
Related

  • How Is Atticus Finch A Good Role Model

    663 Words  | 2 Pages

    Atticus Finch is a very essential character in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. He is not only the father on Jem and Scout, but he is also defending Tom Robinson. Along with all of the obstacles and challenges that Atticus faces he is still an exceptional role model for the children. He also overcomes the diversity of Negroes and whites that is displayed during his time by standing up and fighting for Tom Robinson and his triumph in court against Bob Ewell. Lee presents Atticus Finch as understanding of Tom Robinson, caring with the children, and calm throughout the Tom Robinson trial.

    Read More

  • To Kill A Mockingbird Atticus Loyalty Quotes

    512 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus, a lawyer and the father of Jem and Scout, displays great courage, loyalty, and patience in every situation.

    Read More

  • Atticus Finch Courage in To Kill a Mockingbird

    1356 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Similarities Between The Crucible And To Kill A Mockingbird

    539 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch is a perfect example for someone who stands strong during times of challenge and trial. Atticus Finch is a lawyer and father of two children whose names are Jem and Scout. In the novel, Atticus chooses to ...

    Read More

  • How Does Atticus Show Courage In To Kill A Mockingbird

    802 Words  | 2 Pages

    Atticu Finch is one of they key characters in the book who leads by example and shows what courage is. In chapter nine, Atticus takes a case to defend a Negro who has been accused of raping Bob Ewell’s daughter Mayella444. Atticus, the father of main characters Scout and Jem Finch, loves and cares for his children, although since the children’s mother passed away when they were at a young age, Atticus is not always sure of how to fill her role. In chapter thirteen, Aunt Alexandra stays with the Finch family so that she can help them if anything happens while Atticus defends the black man, Tom Robinson. Atticus has always been respected in the town of Macomb, until he takes the Robinson case, which leads to controversy within his friends and his family. On several different instances, the towns people tried to convince him not to, and o...

    Read More

  • Atticus Finch A Hero Essay

    735 Words  | 2 Pages

    This was heroic because he knew believing him would make hard times fall on him and his family. The main thing was a threat from Bob Ewell who had a vendetta against Atticus after the trial because of what Atticus said during it. A threat that almost caused the lives of Atticus’ children one night they were coming home. Another hardship that fell was the whole community outcased the Finches and treated the differently because of it. A hardship that could be argued to be greater than the ones before was the one on Atticus mentally. Atticus was going through mental hardship because he knew whatever he did the future was already set and it was not in his favor. Doing this showed great courage, an additional part to the definition to hero.

    Read More

  • Theme Of Heroism In To Kill A Mockingbird

    789 Words  | 2 Pages

    Atticus Finch shows, in many ways, the true definition of a hero, but no situation was more important than the Tom Robinson trial. In Maycomb, the thought of taking a negro’s word instead of a white man’s was ridiculous to the citizens, especially over a matter as serious as a black man raping a white woman. Regardless of this information, Atticus still takes on Tom Robinson’s case and tries to make as big of a difference as possible. When Scout asks him if he thinks that he will win the case, Atticus subtly replies “No, honey” (76). Atticus goes on to explain, “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try and win” (76). Basically, Atticus believes that just because it is unlikely that he will win, it does not mean that he should just give up without trying. Throughout all the discrimination, Atticus remains tough and tries to achieve his goal, no matter how hard it is. This was an example of moral courage. Even Scout knows how hard her father is trying by comparing Atticus’ efforts to “watching Atticus walk down the street, raise a rifle to his shoulder and pull the trigger, but...

    Read More

  • hurricane and mockingbird

    1153 Words  | 3 Pages

    Tom is a nice young man who needs to go to court for being accused of raping a young girl named Mayella, although he did not go threw it alone. He had his lawyer Atticus Finch. Atticus is a single father of two. He believes that no matter who he is defending, if that person is innocent, he deserves justice and he will try his best so justice will be served.

    Read More

  • Atticus Finch As A Hero Essay

    841 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Harper Lee’s novel Atticus Finch is represented as a very courageous person whose courageousness the author of the novel brings to our attention all throughout the book but since our time is limited the student needs only to highlight three situations where they feel Atticus Finch is courageous for example he accepts a criminal case that involves a Black...

    Read More

  • To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

    642 Words  | 2 Pages

    Atticus Finch was a character from a small town called Maycomb in a time that we come to know is shortly following FDR’s first inaugural address. Times are hard in small town America and ethics as well as morals are shaped by the way people interact with one another. Atticus has many admirable character traits; tranquility, honesty, humility, and a strong sense of civic duty.

    Read More

  • How Does Atticus Show Innocence In To Kill A Mockingbird

    1095 Words  | 3 Pages

    Compassionate, dramatic, and deeply moving, Harper Lee's, To Kill a Mockingbird takes readers to the roots of human behavior, to innocence and experience, kindness and cruelty, love and hatred, and the struggle between blacks and whites. Atticus Finch, a lawyer and single parent in a small southern town in the 1930's, is appointed by the local judge to defend Tom Robinson, a black man, who is accused of raping a white woman. Friends and neighbors object when Atticus puts up a strong and spirited defense on behalf of the accused black man. Atticus renounces violence but stands up for what he believes in. He decides to defend Tom Robinson because if he did not, he would not only lose the respect of his children and the townspeople, but himself as well.

    Read More

  • Atticus Finch As A Heroic Character In To Kill A Mockingbird

    911 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird

    876 Words  | 2 Pages

    Atticus Finch is a lawyer in the town of Maycomb In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, he is a father of two children, Jem and Scout Finch. He is a man of wise character and considerate soul. He knows his morals and tries to help his children grow up to be successful and happy. Throughout the novel, Atticus acts justly, loves tenderly, and walks humbly by the way he perceives the people in his life, how he succeeds in his job and treats his family.

    Read More

  • Comparing 1930's Society, as Depicted in To Kill a Mockingbird with Present Day Society

    864 Words  | 2 Pages

    “You never really understood a person until you consider things from his point of view—until you climb into his skin and walk around it.” Atticus Finch is a man of extreme integrity. He, as both a lawyer and a human being, stands up for his democratic beliefs and encourages his children to stand up for their own, though they may stand alone. Harper Lee showed how far respect went in To Kill a Mockingbird when Atticus defended Tom Robinson in his rape trial. He did not think twice about being ridiculed by th...

    Read More

  • Atticus Finch: The Perfect Role Model

    1551 Words  | 4 Pages

    Even though the odds go against him, Atticus Finch bravely stands up to his beliefs and morals. Furthermore, he

    Read More

More about Atticus Finch: Killing Two Mockingbirds with One Stone

Open Document