In the Writers Journey, the Hero’s Journey is emphasized heavily throughout the book. Overall, the Hero’s Journey allows you to take a piece of literature and break down the steps of the main character or protagonist. The character starts off living an ordinary life until they receive a call to an adventure that disturbs what they consider normal. You then see the trials and tribulations they go through such as the refusal of call, thresholds, determining friend or foe, so and so forth until they’ve successfully handled the ordeal. In my opinion, Atticus Finch from the book To Kill a Mockingbird is an ideal character to use when breaking down the Hero’s Journey. The way he handles defending an African American man in the 1930’s while maintaining his integrity for not only himself but his town and his family is a realistic approach towards the Hero’s Journey that works exceptionally well.
Atticus Finch lives a fairly normal life as a lawyer in Maycomb, Alabama with his two children Jem and Scout and their helper Calpurnia. Atticus is perceived as
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At this point, Atticus receives his call to adventure and has to determine whether to take the case or not. In the beginning, Atticus realizes the attention that this case will bring and what it’ll mean for his family. He knows that it will expose his children to the cruelties of society that he’s tried to protect them from. Atticus comes to the conclusion that if he refuses the case, there will be no one else to take it and he’d essentially be declaring Tom guilty from the start. He knows that the chances of Tom getting off innocent is slim, although he needed to try for the sake of his own conscious and for everything he tries to instill in his children. This is where the psychological journey for Atticus and his family begins as they battle their own morals against the widely held prejudice in the
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.
Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus demonstrates himself as a loyal, humble man towards his family and especially towards Tom Robinson. Atticus respects and desires for everyone to be treated equally, no matter the color of their skin, thus he remains loyal to Tom since he believes that Tom deserves a fair trial. When Atticus tells Scout that “the main reason is, if I didn’t defend Tom I couldn’t hold my head in town, I couldn’t represent the country in legislature, I couldn’t tell you or Jem not to do something again” (86), he means that if he does not defend and show loyalty to Tom, he will have not stood up for true justice and equality, thus shaming himself forever. Therefore, even when faced with so much opposition, Atticus continues to stick up for Tom because he wants to promote and uphold justice and fairness for all to
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...
Atticus has a certain pressure to work on this case. He is punished and despised by the racist whites that think he is doing the wrong thing because Tom Robinson is a black man. At one point in the story a mob of whites come to the jail seeking Tom Robinson. Atticus knows they are going to make trouble for Tom so he stands up to them. He says, "' You can turn around and go home now Walter. Heck Tate's around here somewhere. '" This says he is an unselfish and courageous person. He also feels pressure from the blacks. They will accept him if he defends Tom but they wont if he does not. Lastly and the thing that makes him do it the most is his own conscience. I think he would not forget the time of the trial and have guilt for the rest of his life if he didn't try for Tom Robinson. Atticus telling the reasons why he is doing the case, "'the main one is, if I didn't, I couldn't hold my head up in town, I couldn't represent this country in legislature, I couldn't even tell you or Jem what not to do.
When Atticus chooses to defend Tom Robinson, he knows he will most likely lose the first trial. His friends and colleagues will talk behind his back for defending a black man under a capitol defense. He knows though that this is a trial in his life that he must defend in order for him to live the rest of his life with his head held up high.”For a number of reasons, Atticus said, The main one is, if I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this country in legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again,’ Atticus says to Scout one night while explain to her why he is defending a black man. This shows Atticus’ high ideals and morals he has must be upheld by him if he is to live with himsel...
The author George Elliot once said “don’t judge a book by its cover.” Appearance can be very misleading, and you shouldn't prejudge the worth or value of something by its outward appearance alone. This philosophical idea has been included in many works of literature, including the timeless classic To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee. The novel takes place in the town of Maycomb, Alabama during the 1930s. Many citizens of Maycomb tend to make judgements based on outward appearances alone. In the novel, Lee uses minor characters such as Boo Radley, Mrs. Dubose, and Tom Robinson to convey the book’s theme of prejudice.
Atticus had shown justice and the decision between right and wrong when he was defending Tom in the court house. For example Atticus had said " I am confident that you gentlemen will review without passion the evidence you have heard, come to a decision, and restore this defendant to his family. In the name of god, do your duty" (Lee 274-275). Clearly this example has shown that Atticus is a man that wanted justice and for the truth to prevail. This shows that he only sees Tom as as a defandant and not as...
Atticus Finch is a well-rounded and respected resident of Maycomb County, Alabama. In the book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus takes on the duty of being an attorney and a single father of two adventurous children. He believes in equality among races, although a lot of Maycomb County’s white community thinks they are high and mighty compared to the black folk. In a time of injustice, Atticus represents an innocent black man accused of rape making him respected among the black community. At home, Atticus taught his children important life lessons about equality and putting yourself in someone else’s shoes. This character represents the importance of morality and reasonability. Throughout the novel, Atticus has very good morals and
Even when he knows he will lose, he still continues to practice what he believes is right. When assigned to a case in which he would have to defend Tom Robinson, Atticus accepted the case saying “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win”. Given Tom Robinson’s background of being an African American, being convicted of rape, and the fact that he lived the South, there would be no chance for him to not be guilty. However, Atticus still puts effort into the case even though it is futile. He feels that if he did not try to win, he would go against his own morals which would give him no right in lecturing his own children. By taking on the case and staying loyal to his ethics, Atticus would teach his children to stay true to their words. Unlike many lawyers who get a similar case, Atticus goes above and beyond for his client. After Atticus and his family drove away the lynching mob from Tom, Atticus assures him saying, ”get some sleep, Tom. They won’t bother you anymore”. Atticus goes as far as to protect his client from getting killed which sets a good example for his kids. Through surpassing his obligation to Tom, he teaches his children to put in their best effort towards everything. Atticus also takes any form of payment available for his services. When Mr.Cunningham told Atticus that he didn't know if he could ever pay him back for work
In conclusion, it makes sense for Atticus to defend Tom. Atticus was advocating equal rights.Atticus could not go on with his life if he did not take the trial. Although, others might say that it is irrational for Atticus to defend Tom, his pride is at stake.It does make sense for Atticus to defend Tom Robinson because it a matter of principle and the right thing to
Atticus says in his speech, “She had committed no crime, she has merely broken a rigid and time honored code of our society, a code so severe that whoever breaks it is hounded from our midst as unfit to live with.” Atticus tells the courtroom that he feels sorry for Mayella because in a moment of weakness she changed her life forever. He uses his own sympathy for her to get the people of Maycomb to understand why Mayella Ewell would bring Tom Robinson to court after he had done nothing to her. Atticus helps them understand that the only reason they were in that courtroom was because of the traditional ways of Maycomb. He also uses pathos when saying, “I am confident that you, gentlemen will review without passion the evidence you have heard, come to a decision, and restore this defendant to his family.” Everyone knows what it feels like to have a family or at least have imagined what a great family would have been like. By bringing the idea up of family it makes the audience Atticus is addressing feel some sort of remorse for Tom Robinson. Every person in that court room knows what it is like to lose a family member. Tom Robinson has a wife and three kids. Atticus wants the jury and the people in the courtroom to understand the weight of their decision. If they say that he is guilty than he will be sentenced to death and his children will grow up without a father. No matter how much someone might hate another they
Atticus has a clear mind. He will not sit by and watch as his two children are abused and their views twisted to match the society of racism they live amongst. Atticus builds his morals up in the children very evidently, although no so much as to draw attention. He speaks words of wisdom to them in their distress, but also with the treatment and position of Calpurnia, he is able to demonstrate a precise view of his own conscience. Atticus knows that because of this, he is considered one of the most non-racist people in Maycomb, therefore being offered Tom's case. Judge Taylor knows the right man for the job.
The 60s. They seem so long ago. The Vietnam War, the first GPS satellite, a time of 8-tracks and cassette tapes, they seem like so long ago. The 60s is also when To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee was first published, a majorly successful book written about a majorly controversial topic. Lee sets out to tackle the topic by telling a story through the perspective of Jean Louise “Scout” Finch, a nine year old girl. The story focuses on the events of the Finches, the Ewells, a trial of a black man, and Boo Radley, all in the town of Maycomb. Using these characters, Harper Lee shows how racism is something that is learned through society, and can be avoided.
The novel To Kill a Mockingbird is an exquisite example of the impact of prejudice and discrimination on a small Southern town post-Depression. On Harper Lee's novel, Telgen states, "Comprising the main portion of the book's examination of racism and its effects are the underlying themes of prejudice vs. tolerance: how people feel about and respond to differences in others" (292). The motif of discrimination in this story is strongly supported by numerous examples, events, and seemingly unimportant anecdotes described throughout the novel. To Kill a Mockingbird expounds upon the ideas, thoughts, and interpretations of Jean Louise Finch (also known as Scout) and her older brother Jeremy "Jem" Finch. As the siblings live out many adventures and mature, both in years and in experience, they start to learn and recognize the prejudices occurring in their town. While they were brought up by Atticus Finch, their father- a man who strongly believes in the equality of all- others in the town of Maycomb do not have these same views. These differences lead to many problems throughout Scout's narration. This best-seller greatly expresses the repercussions of discrimination and prejudice of gender, race, and class.
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.