Atticus Finch: A Modern Day Hero

In Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird there are some very courageous characters. The most courageous would be Atticus Finch. Atticus is one of the main characters in the book. He is the father of the narrator.

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.” (Lee 100). The repetition of “I couldn’t” highlights the fact that Atticus would be ashamed of himself if he didn’t defend Tom because refusing to defend someone simply because of their skin color is

Tom believed that he deserved to be free because and he didn’t deserve to be treated with such indecency. If he had gotten away and they captured him again, he would have gotten worse punishment because him escaping meant that he was guilty, in the white man's eye. Tom was a scapegoat because he was blamed for a crime that he didn’t commit which was beating and raping Mayella Ewell. It was actually Mayella’s father, Bob, that beat her up after he caught her trying to get intimate with Tom. Atticus is not only standing up for what he believes in when he takes Tom Robinson’s case, but he is also standing up for his family.

Atticus Finch was selected as the greatest movie hero by the American Film Institute ahead of many characters whom we more often recognize as “traditional” heroes because in the movie he was one of the few white people that supported blacks. Back then, many people didn’t treat black people well and since, Atticus stood up for Tom, a black man he is known to be a hero even though he didn’t win the case. He was selected amongst many characters because he did a brave thing….Atticus Finch is heroic because he didn’t care what other people thought about him and he defended a black man, named Tom for being accused of hurting a girl. Atticus knew he didn’t have much chance of winning the case because the jury was white, but he still tried to help

Despite racial inequalities in the South, Atticus sticks to his own morals and agrees to be the defending lawyer for Tom Robinson, a black man being accused of raping a white woman. Although Atticus’ defense in court was thorough and clearly proved Tom’s innocence, the jury was prejudiced towards black folks and convicted Tom as guilty. Nonetheless, Atticus is still a hero despite losing the case. He has the courage to stand up for what he believes in, fights with reason rather than guns, and has utmost determination, making him a hero despite being just an average human being. Ultimately, his thoughts and actions set the stage for major changes in the meaning of equality throughout Maycomb County, changing lives of numerous people.

Within the novel, Atticus is defending a black man by the name of Tom Robinson who was accused of raping a young woman. How Atticus handled this trial is widely considered to be fair. He asked just and equal questions to all the witnesses along with Tom and Mayella, the girl who cried rape. Why does Atticus do this instead of just giving up on Tom? It is simply explained with “if I didn’t

What separates a hero from any other ordinary person? A hero can benefit other people and has the features of a strong and bold person. Atticus Finch in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird not just has the features and characteristics of a hero but also demonstrates them. He does this whether it be through doing Maycomb’s dirty work or having a heroic job that he does in attempt to save the lives of innocent people.

He tells Scout, “Scout, Simply by work, every lawyer gets at least one case in his lifetime that affects him personally. This one is mine, I guess. You might hear some ugly talk about it at school, but do one thing for me if you will: you just hold your head up and keep your fist down no matter what anyone says to you.” Atticus knows this case might draw people to say ugly things about his family and possibly want to bring harm to them. By doing this, he is emphasizing Tom because he understands his situation and is choosing to defend him despite his race, nor yet jumping to a conclusion and declaring the man guilty because it is the right thing to

(pg.104). Both of these quotes from Atticus show that he believes that having integrity and standing by your beliefs is crucial. If you do not do what is right then you are betraying yourself, others around you, and your faith. Another time that Atticus sticks up for Tom is when Mr. Heck Tate shows up and tells Atticus that the people wanted him in the county jail he said “‘Heck, we’ve gotten one postponement of this case just to make sure there’s nothing to be uneasy about. This is Saturday,’ Atticus said ‘Trial’ll probably be Monday.

Atticus 's strong sense of morality and justice motivates him to defend Tom with vigor and determination, giving it all he 's got with one mission in mind. He wants the people of

Atticus was an extremely good lawyer, but it was just the people who made it hard for Tom to actually win this case because some people there are so ignorant. It is difficult to understand the evil in the world because people can’t see it. It’s a disease that eventually anyone can catch. In the book, it was hard for them to believe the evil in the world because everyone in their neighborhood seemed like a really nice person, but they were just so mean, and racist to Tom. They had a sickness that almost spread around,

According to Atticus Finch, heroism is “when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do.” The meaning of heroism is great bravery and that is someone that is not scared to do anything. They stand up for people and do good things for people and their community. A hero is brave, strong, wise, responsible, courages, and many more things.

Additionally, Atticus deserves to stand up for him because he’s always standing up for people even if they criticize him, and Atticus was appointed to stand up for him, so there’s no reason for Atticus to say no to defend an innocent person. Conclusion: Claim:It is clear that Atticus’ decision to take a stand makes sense. Thesis:He wanted to give Tom the voice he deserves.

Atticus 's strong sense of morality and justice motivates him to defend Tom with vigor and determination, giving it all he 's got with one mission in mind. He wants the people of Maycomb town, whether they believe it or

He was trying to help out Mayella Ewell by gathering firewood and chopping dressers because he felt sorry for her, but was accused of rape because of his color. On page 87, Atticus said that “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win.” He was trying to help those who are innocent and in need, and even though he knew that he was going to lose the case, he wanted to try. Atticus hoped to better the lives of the mockingbird-like African-Americans in the South, so he attempted to help an innocent and helpless Tom to the best of his ability. Also, Tom’s crippled left arm is proof that he did not attack Mayella, however, he is accused because of his color.