Analysis of Atticus Finch, Boo Radley, and Heck Tate as Heroes

In To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, there are many characters who prove themselves to be heroic. This novel is set in the 1930s and revolves around a family's life over a few years. To Kill A Mockingbird depicts the societal norms in their small southern town, offering examples of racism, prejudice, and various other real-life issues that remain relevant today. This essay will demonstrate why Atticus Finch, Boo Radley, and Heck Tate, all characters in the novel, should be considered heroes in To Kill A Mockingbird.

Examination of the Heroic Qualities of Atticus Finch, Boo Radley, and Heck Tate

Atticus Finch: A Heroic Figure

To begin, many heroes share character traits with each other. Common traits include honesty, stubbornness, and bravery. Atticus Finch embodies all of these qualities in the novel To Kill A Mockingbird. Throughout the novel, Atticus consistently sets a good example for his children, causing them to regard him as their idol. Atticus always remains true to himself and chooses to do the right thing, not the easiest thing. His actions lay a strong foundation for his children, Jem and Scout, influencing their behavior and actions as well. "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view—until you climb into his skin and walk around in it," is a direct quote from Atticus himself that illustrates one of the many times he has taught his children his ways and encouraged them to do the right thing (Lee, 1960, p. 34). Atticus is a hero to his children simply by the way he shields their minds from the prejudiced views of their southern town.

Another reason Atticus Finch should be considered a hero is his willingness to help others, even when it brings him little reward or only hate from the town. For instance, Atticus, as a lawyer, took on the case of an innocent black man whom no one else was interested in helping. As soon as he stepped up and took the case, he was aware of the backlash and consequences the trial would entail, but he stood his ground because it was the right thing to do. "Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win," Atticus stated, demonstrating his stubbornness, bravery, and commitment to justice (Lee, 1960, p. 87). In summary, Atticus Finch is a kind, brave, hardworking individual who is heroic in the novel To Kill A Mockingbird and deserves recognition beyond that of a regular character.

Boo Radley: A Hero Through Actions

In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, there is a character who is portrayed as a hero solely through his actions. This character's name is Boo Radley. Boo Radley is a quiet, shy man who, on several occasions, proves himself to be a hero. Boo keeps to himself throughout the novel but always appears when needed. On one occasion, Boo helps Atticus's child, Scout, in a time of need. When their community was assisting a neighbor whose house caught fire, Boo stayed inside until he saw Scout struggling. Boo discreetly placed a blanket on Scout without making a scene and slipped away unnoticed. Understanding Boo's desire for privacy, Scout and her family decided to keep the kind gesture to themselves, "We’d better keep this and the blanket to ourselves. Someday, maybe, Scout can thank him for covering her up" (Lee, 1960, p. 96). This quote demonstrates the family's appreciation and recognition of Boo's wishes to avoid attention. Boo's willingness to put himself in a vulnerable public position to help someone highlights his heroic nature.

On another occasion, Boo performed an even greater act of kindness, driven solely by the goodness of his heart, to help Atticus's children. This event was not only a major turning point in the novel To Kill A Mockingbird but also revealed Boo Radley's true self to the audience. One night, Jem and Scout, Atticus's children, were attacked by a man, and Boo rescued them by killing the attacker. Given Boo's past and his misunderstood nature, this was a risky move for him, but he acted without hesitation. "The man was walking with a staccato step of someone carrying a load too heavy for him," Scout narrates directly after the attack, trying to comprehend the situation (Lee, 1960, p. 352). This quote can be interpreted in two ways: Boo's physical exhaustion from the fight or his anxiety over the consequences of his actions. Regardless, Boo's heroic act of saving lives without a second thought exemplifies the essence of heroism.

Heck Tate: The Unsung Hero

Finally, there is one last character who should be considered a hero in the novel To Kill A Mockingbird. This character is the town's sheriff and an outstanding one at that. His name is Heck Tate, and here are the reasons he is a hero. During a major event in the novel, Heck performed a great deed for not only Atticus, his children, and Boo Radley but also for the entire town. Heck Tate is not frequently present in the novel, but in this particular instance, he proved himself to be an understanding, brave man. After the attack when Boo saves the children, Heck chose to understand the situation and do the right thing, rather than conform to societal expectations. Society would have urged Heck Tate to blame Boo, a man with a criminal past, but who also saved the children's lives. Instead, Heck used his judgment and sought the best outcome for everyone involved. Heck Tate ruled the investigation as the attacker having killed himself, sparing Boo, Jem, and Scout from an unnecessary trial and other events, which would have been a burden for the whole town. "I never heard that it’s against the law for a citizen to do his utmost to prevent a crime from being committed which is exactly what he did…" Heck Tate explains to Atticus why he ruled as he did (Lee, 1960, p. 63). Heck also saved Atticus from additional backlash from the town, as he had just concluded a trial himself. Despite Atticus's resistance, Heck Tate stood firm and did the right thing, embodying the true essence of heroism. In this quote, "I may not be much, Mr. Finch, but I’m still the sheriff of Maycomb county and Bob Ewell fell on his knife," Heck Tate asserts his authority and decision-making (Lee, 1960, p. 62-63). Heck's decision, based on what was right and in the best interest of others, is a testament to his bravery in the face of societal pressures. Heck Tate should be considered a hero for his understanding and quick thinking during the novel's major turn of events. Without his actions, many people could have been adversely affected.

Conclusion

Atticus Finch, Boo Radley, and Heck Tate are all characters in the novel To Kill A Mockingbird who should be considered heroes. While the characters are not perfect, they acted with integrity and kindness. Their best judgments helped and saved people, and this should be acknowledged at all levels within the novel's spectrum.

References

Lee, H. (1960). To Kill a Mockingbird. J.B. Lippincott & Co.