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...
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...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.
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 was 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.
To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic novel written by Harper Lee. The novel is set in the depths of the Great Depression. A lawyer named Atticus Finch is called to defend a black man named Tom Robinson. The story is told from one of Atticus’s children, the mature Scout’s point of view. Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, the Finch Family faces many struggles and difficulties.
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.
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 ...
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
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
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.
Thus, Atticus Finch, Tom Robinson, and Arthur “Boo” Radley are all victims of rumour, humiliation, and prejudice. Firstly, Atticus is humiliated by his family and his neighbourhood because he has stood up to an African American man, and then, is nicknamed “nigger-lover” for his decision. By strong evidence, Tom Robinson is proven innocent of rapping a young white woman, but is still convicted, and then shot to death because he is black. Finally, Arthur Radley is greatly misunderstood because of his mysterious background and is forced to isolate from society to escape the awful and untruthful rumours about him in Maycomb. Through the storytelling of Atticus Finch, Tom Robinson, and Arthur “Boo” Radley, the reader understands how the mockingbird symbol is used to represent those who are innocent, and have good intentions at heart.
“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...
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...
Atticus Finch is the hero in Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, but he is not the only hero. Atticus took on a legal case to defend a black man, when everybody said he shouldn’t.
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.
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.
Even though the odds go against him, Atticus Finch bravely stands up to his beliefs and morals. Furthermore, he
Although they are critiqued, some people do whatever they can do to improve our society. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch proves himself to be a hero. This small-town lawyer exhibits bravery, strength, and modesty when faced with objection during Maycomb’s quarrel for justice. Without a doubt, Atticus proves that anybody can stand for what he or she believes is right.