Examples Of Virtuous Actions In To Kill A Mockingbird

With age comes wisdom. This is the mentality of numerous cultures who view the elder generation as moral. Does it take a lifetime to be viewed as virtuous? No, but it does take time to realize who possesses the virtuous trait and who merely accomplishes virtuous actions. It is imperative that persons demonstrate a virtuous character while living ethically among others. In the same aspect, one must distinguish a virtuous action from a virtuous character and determine that a morally right action does not necessarily entail an upholding moral character. There is a disparity between actions and character. If one completes a virtuous action, that is a single occurrence; however, if one demonstrates a virtuous character, this is a lifelong trait that is essential when living ethically among others. Virtuous actions are when others are aware of the situation; a virtuous character is having upholding moral actions even when no one is looking. To put this in perspective, a virtuous action would be when in To Kill a Mockingbird, Jem invited Walter over to their house for dinner because Scout bullied him and brought up his family’s financial troubles. This is a virtuous action because it was a onetime public incidence. On the other hand, a virtuous character would be when Atticus defended Tom
Seeing Atticus continuously have an upholding virtuous character showed that most people viewed highly of him. In order to live ethically one must have moral standards and try to have a virtuous character. Vincent Barry’s Bioethics text mentions that morality is collectively maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain. Atticus fought for Tom’s innocence and when Tom was found guilty and shot, he went straight to Tom’s house to tell his family directly attempting to minimize the painful effects of the tragedy. His virtuous character aided him as he lived and worked