to kill a mocking bird

“To Kill a Mockingbird”

What is a hero? When one thinks of a modern day hero one typically thinks of a character with extreme muscles who is constantly helping others. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, a modern day hero is Atticus. Although he is not physically built, he exemplifies the qualities of a hero. During the Great Depression Scout, Jem, Atticus, and their housemaid Calpurnia, experience the extent of racism in Maycomb County. Tom Robinson is accused of raping Bob Ewell’s daughter and is defended by Atticus. Robinson is then convicted due to his skin color, regardless of his innocence. Throughout this court case Atticus actively supports Tom Robinson. Regardless of difficult circumstances, a hero exemplifies fairness, courage, and initiative. In all emotional settings a hero should attempt to be fair and just. Furthermore, a hero shows courage through the conflicts that he faces. Finally, a hero displays initiative when it is unexpected which is revealed through the use of irony.

Regardless of the circumstances a hero should always seek justice. Atticus is a very prominent figure in To Kill a Mockingbird and is a perfect example of a hero. Atticus despises the way Aunt Alexandra treats the black folks and attempts to talk some sense into her. Harper Lee explains that Atticus is a strong believer of justice and does not judge based on skin color. Even through his anger Atticus restrains himself and continuously believes in equality: “ I don’t know of any law that says they can’t talk. Maybe if we didn’t give them so much to talk about they’d be quiet.”(Lee 157). Atticus is displaying his opinion of how the white folks deserve any gossip that goes against the whites. If the whites did not cause generally so much damage by talking about blacks and how they are bad folks, the colored folks would not have much to talk about. Atticus is a hero because he has enough strength and a great enough sense of justice to rebel against his own race by defending the colored folks. Even through his anger, Atticus maintains just morals and supports colored and white people equally. His mindset is not prominent in this time period since people believed that whites were superior to blacks. His sense of justice is prominent in the courtroom but also in other settings, such as in his own house, which proves that Atticus is a true hero. Mr. Finch’s ideas are

Blinova 2 transferred to his daughter. Scout explains that her father is not just equal in the courtroom but he shows the same beliefs on the streets daily. Even when he is angry, Atticus maintains just morals and supports colored and white people equally. His mind set is not prominent in this time period since people believed that whites were superior to blacks. Scout is very supportive of Atticus even though he believes in races in a different perspective, she indicates that: “I was trying to grope in my memory for a sharp phrase of Miss Maudie Atkinson’s. I had it: “He’s the same in the courtroom as he is on a public street.” (Lee 199). Atticus is a hero because he has enough strength and sense of justice to rebel against his own race by defending the colored folks. This shows he is a strong believer of justice regardless of skin color. In the courtroom Atticus defends Tom Robinson who is a black man, to prove that blacks deserve the same respect and rights as white people. Additionally Atticus portrays the same views in the courtroom as on the streets, which shows that he is not a hypocrite. He stands up for black people not to put on a show but because he truly believes in justice for all. Therefore, through his great sense of justice, he is able to aid others. In the courtroom, even when he may be frustrated he continues to advocate for the freedoms and rights of black and white people. He demonstrates a series of actions that a hero in that time period should have, which is equality. Regardless of the emotional setting the hero should always fight for what is just, even when a hero is just he should attempt to should courage.

Courage is shown through the conflicts a hero faces. In on instance, Scout verbally defends her father when white folks accuse Atticus with racial slurs. In the schoolyard when Scout and Cecil Jacobs settle in a fight, Scout proudly defends Atticus while Cecil degrades Scouts father: “You gonna take that back, boy?” “You gotta make me first!” he yelled. “My folks said your daddy was a disgrace an’ that nigger oughta hang from the water-tank!” (Lee 76). Cecil Jacobs causes a physical conflict about Atticus in the schoolyard. Cecil and Scout conclude in an argument about what some folks in Maycomb say about Atticus. Scout takes offence due to Cecil’s opinion and tries to make him take it back. Atticus is a defendant of Tom Robinson, which makes him an advocate for equality, since Tom Robinson is a black man. Atticus is getting verbally attacked because he is taking the blacks side; he is a disgrace to the white society. This shows Atticus is a hero because he has courage to stay strong when he is getting harsh criticism. He faces conflicts in which the whites exclude him and his family from the rest of the town, using terms that are immoral. In result The Finch’s feel alienated. Courage is not only shown through words but also through actions. Even when Mr. Ewell criticizes Atticus about his stance in the courtroom, he refuses to fight
Blinova 3 back physically. He stands by his beliefs regardless of what Mr. Ewell says. Even when Mr. Ewell taunts Atticus about Atticus’ viewpoints, he refuses to fight back physically: “‘this morning Mr. Bob Ewell stopped Atticus on the post office corner, spat in his face, and told him he’d get him if it took the rest of his life. Atticus continued to go along with his life without consideration that he [Bob Ewell] would do him harm.” (Lee 217). Atticus shows heroic qualities by avoiding physical contact. When Bob Ewell approaches Atticus with a threat, Atticus listens and does not fight back. Through this conflict Atticus is courageous by walking away without panicking. In this point of the novel, the society believes that Atticus is favoring blacks over white people. Even though Atticus is getting threatened, he does not feel the need to back down. He is being courageous through this conflict because he does not show acceptance when someone discourages him through offensive comments or impolite actions. He stays firm and sides with what he believes is right. On the street, when he is being aggressively tormented, he continues to be courageous and battle for what he considers is right. He does not feel the need to just back down and he continues on his journey to equality. A hero should always fight for what is right through courage. Even when a hero is courageous, he should try to show initiative by taking charge in his or her own beliefs and opinions.

A hero should always show leadership, which is revealed through irony. Atticus is a very important figure and is suitable as a hero in To Kill a Mockingbird. The Sheriff of Maycomb calls upon Atticus to eliminate a rabid dog. Calpurnia requests that Atticus eradicates the dog. Through Scouts perspective, she understands that Atticus is about to do a brave task and had never seen him do anything like this before: “With movements so swift they seemed simultaneous, Atticus’s hand yanked a ball-tipped lever as he brought the gun to his shoulder. The rifle cracked. Tom Johnson leaped, flopped over and crumpled on the sidewalk in a brown-and-white heap. He didn’t know what hit him.” (Lee 96). A hero displays initiative when it is unexpected which is revealed through the use of irony. Atticus Finch shows initiative when he shoots the rabid dog. Atticus is as old man who is unable to do physical activates. When his children ask him to play he shuns then by saying he is rather old to play these sorts of games. Atticus reveals a side of him Scout neither Jem have seen before. He discloses his abilities and talents. Atticus is known as a father who is not as active as the rest. He tends to not spend much time outdoors with his children but stay inside and read. This illustrates when Jem and Scout see what Atticus does, they were in big amusement; they have never seen their father do anything like it. Doing something that is out of a person’s comfort zone to show initiative is just as upright as taking
Blinova 4 responsibility for someone else without backing down. Atticus is a hero because he takes leadership by not reacting aggressively to Ewell, which displays affection toward other characters for example, Mayella. He does not give up when Bob Ewell approached him, he patiently stands knowing that Bob is revealing his anger, he is glad to say that if this saved Mayella or the other children from going through a beating, then let it be. Atticus takes leadership by taking action and not backing down when Bob Ewell does as said: “So if spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that’s something I’ll gladly take. He had to take it out on somebody and I’d rather it be me than that houseful of children out there.” (Lee 211). Atticus shows initiative, which is shown through his willingness to accept the court case. He understands that Bob Ewell is mad about the case, yet he does not back out of it. Any human being would most likely fight back but Atticus stands face to face with Ewell and lets him do as he pleases. It is ironic that Atticus does not physically fight or object to Bob Ewell even though Ewells actions are degrading. Atticus is a hero because he shows initiative by taking action; he chose not to do anything to Bob Ewell just because it saves Mayella or the rest of the children in the Ewell family from a beating. On the corner of the post office, even when Atticus may be overpowered he continues to stand by and take responsibility like a grown adult. He does not back down and does not fight back therefore he shows initiative. Regardless of any situation he exemplifies heroic traits. No matter how cruel the situation is, a hero should always show his initiative.

During different situations a hero always has a sense of fairness, courage and shows initiative. In various emotional settings a hero forgets the importance of being fair and just. Additionally, during many conflicts a hero remains courageous. Lastly, a hero never fails to show initiative even if it is sometimes ironic. Regardless of the circumstances, heroes always attempt to act fair, show initiative, and be courageous. Therefore modern day heroes do not have to have muscles; they can prove their heroism through different characteristics. So now, what is your definition of a hero?