Analysis of Whether Atticus Finch is a Hero

Atticus Finch is a lawyer and resident of Maycomb County, Alabama, and the father of Jeremy 'Jem' Finch and Jean Louise 'Scout' Finch. Atticus is a very calm, cool, and collected type of guy; he does not get too worked up about stressful situations. He is not affected by what other people say or think. He is consistent and rooted in his beliefs. As an attorney, Atticus believes in what is right, even if it is not what is popular. He is faced with a very stressful case in which he has to defend Tom Robinson, an African-American man accused of raping a young white girl. Atticus is convinced Tom Robinson is innocent and will do his best to represent him, but the case is set during the Great Depression in the town of Maycomb, Alabama, where racial tensions are high. Atticus, as a white man, must defend an African-American man in a case he knows he cannot win. Atticus chooses to keep the case to do what he thinks is right, defend Tom Robinson. As a parent, Atticus expects a lot from his children and treats them as his equals. He is conscientious about not only disciplining his children if necessary, but also teaching them in the moment. It is important to him that his children treat others equally and that they don't judge others based on skin color or social status. This being said, Atticus Finch is a hero. He is a hero for his actions in the specific era that his character was set in. He did something that was unthinkable in the time of “To Kill a Mockingbird”. A hero is a person who is known for certain achievements and qualities. Atticus is known for many qualities he displayed during the novel, as well as various achievements. This makes him a heroic character. Atticus Finch is a hero because he defended a black man in court, proved his abilities and intelligences, and cared for everybody equally.During a time when black people were thought to be lower than white people, Atticus defended a black man in court. He said to his children, 'I'm simply defending a Negro his name's Tom Robinson'. It required a lot of confidence and caring for Atticus to defend Tom, and the black community knew that Tom did not stand a chance without Atticus' help. They respected him and looked to him as a hero.

A hero is a real person or a main fictional character of a literary work who, in the face of danger, combats adversity through feats of ingenuity, courage, or strength; the original hero type of classical epics did such things for the sake of glory and honor. On the other hand, are post-classical and modern heroes, who perform great deeds or selfless acts for the common good instead of the classical goal of wealth, pride, and fame. This definition clearly showcases Atticus Finch as a hero. Throughout the book Atticus is constantly facing adversity when he is defending an african american man in an white southern town in Alabama during the Great Depression. Atticus also fits the original type of hero. It's not exactly the classical epics that you would see in action movies or typical stories. He did however do what he did for his honor as he felt like he would be a disappointment to himself and his children if he did not defend Tom Robinson. He did this to be a good example for his kids and better teach them about how society works. Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird depicts Atticus Finch as a good father to his children due to his sense of fairness, his teaching, and his honesty. Atticus depicts fairness by treating his children and all others with respect and understanding. He teaches his children important life lessons and prepares them for when they go out into the world, and he sets a good example by always being honest. To be a good father, these are three very important qualities to possess. Atticus Finch’s fairness shows that he is a good father to Jem and Scout because instead of simply denying his children everything they ask him, he allows them a chance to explain and offers a compromise. He is a perfect example of a father who is an honest man, a father who is determined to teach his children the value of respecting all people, no matter the differences in mankind.

One of the most admirable actions that a human being can perform is an act of moral courage. Moral courage is aimed at stopping the unfair treatment or degradation of individuals by reinforcing moral standards and values. The key to a morally courageous act is having the ability and willingness to overcome barriers and to withstand pushback from others. Atticus Finch is a great example of moral courage. Not only did he defy the majority and put his family in danger, he stood by his beliefs in honor of racial equality.Atticus’ decision to defend Tom Robinson is an act of moral courage for multiple reasons. Atticus was one of the few people of Maycomb who believed in racial equality. It took great courage to challenge the racist climate of that time. It would have been much easier for him to align with the majority than to fight for the rights of one black man.Another reason Atticus’ actions can be seen as morally courageous is because his decision to defend Tom put his family in danger. The exposure of the Finch family during the trial caused Scout and Jem to face constant harassment from other children and adults in Maycomb. Although Atticus knew that his family would face this horrific kind of treatment, he decided that the life lessons of this experience far outweighed any negatives. Atticus showed his children firsthand a hard lesson about right and wrong, and that sometimes the unpopular road is the right road. Witnessing their father’s actions, Jem and Scout are able to learn for themselves to stand up for truth and justice no matter what the consequences. Atticus spreads moral courage without even realizing it.Atticus also stuck to his beliefs. One of the most important characteristics of morally courageous people is that they remain committed to their ideas despite all consequences. In this case, Atticus knew what he was getting into when he decided to defend a black man. Instead of letting the ignorance of others discourage him, he continued to put on a fair trial and taught his children valuable lessons along the way. Atticus Finch goes through many decision stages leading up to the trial. He acknowledges the accusation of Tom Robinson and the fact that racism is a huge problem in Maycomb. He then accepts responsibility as a lawyer that everyone deserves a fair chance no matter what his or her skin color. He ignores personal constraints like what consequences he and his family would face. And finally, he intervenes with strong evidence that Tom Robinson is innocent.

Atticus is a man of integrity, and he shows courage through upholding his strong values. He is brave enough to practice and live according to the principles in which he believes, and he insists that his children also adhere to his ethical standards, no matter the risk or cost. One of Atticus's most courageous acts is his taking on the defense of Tom Robinson. Even though defending a black man is dangerous in Maycomb due to racism and prejudice, he does so because he knows it is just and his ethics demand it. 'I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do.' Atticus says this quote at the end of chapter 11, after Mrs. Dubose dies. Atticus makes Jem go to Mrs. Dubose's house and read to her every day, and it is not until afterward that Atticus explains Mrs. Dubose was battling a morphine addiction, and the reading helped her end it. Atticus explains what real courage is in order to teach his children.Atticus demonstrates this moral courage by accepting Tom Robinson's case and truly fighting for him. Atticus is assigned the case, but people become angry when they see that Atticus does all he can to help Tom get off. According to society, Atticus should not put forth his best effort in the defense, but Atticus does what he knows is right even if it is not popular. Atticus shows a moral courage throughout the novel in what he says, does, and teaches to his children. He risks the chance of being criticized by the people that live in Maycomb county. With many prejudice people living in Maycomb county Atticus also risks the chance of not being re-elected for legislature. It is courageous of Atticus when he shoots the mad, rabid dog. At this scene he also takes many risks.Atticus risks the chance of missing, and the dog running up, and attacking them. He also risks the chance of shooting a non rabid dog. Atticus could miss the dog, and cause damage to a living, and or a non-living thing. It is courageous of Atticus to be willing to charge Jem with Bob Ewell’s death. He risked the loss of Jem in the process. He also risked the chance of Jem getting mad at Atticus, and never talking to him. Also it was courageous of Atticus to teach his children not prejudge others until they really know what they are really going through. There is a quotation that Atticus said “Never judge anyone, until you have been in their shoes, and walked around in them”.

Atticus Finch is a hero. He is a hero for his actions in the specific era that his character was set in. He did something that was unthinkable in the time of “To Kill a Mockingbird”. A hero is a person who is known for certain achievements and qualities. Atticus is known for many qualities he displayed during the novel, as well as various achievements. This makes him a heroic character. Atticus Finch is a hero because he defended a black man in court, proved his abilities and intelligences, and cared for everybody equally.During a time when black people were thought to be lower than white people, Atticus defended a black man in court. It required a lot of confidence and caring for Atticus to defend Tom, and the black community knew that Tom did not stand a chance without Atticus' help. They respected him and looked to him as a hero. Throughout the book Atticus is constantly facing adversity when he is defending an african american man in an white southern town in Alabama during the Great Depression. Atticus is a man of integrity, and he shows courage through upholding his strong values. Atticus Finch is a hero to the african american community in Maycomb and a role model and positive influence to his children.