Martin Luther King. Malcolm X. Gandhi. These are just a few examples of people considered as heroes. People who choose to put others before themselves despite the consequences they may face. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch is a white father who is a loving father to his two children who works as a lawyer defending a black man, Tom Robinson, who is accused of raping a white woman.
It is Mr. Ewell who accuses him of raping his daughter, which shows that even the lowest of white people are still higher than a black person. Bob Ewell is a drunken father of Maycomb’s poorest family.He is very racist and prejudice towards black people and actually lives in an old run down house is the “black part of town. ” He and his family do not have much respect from the rest of the town.
Even though there is a no chance of winning because of the inequality between whites and blacks at this time, Atticus is rising above the prejudice of society; therefore, he and his children will suffer verbal abuse from the other people in the town. Atticus is a hero because a hero is someone who willingly helps someone in need despite the outcome or consequences that may come.Atticus Finch is a hero because he is whole-heartedly helping Tom Robinson in a time of despair, even though it means he will have to see his children suffer from his actions. During this time period, white people believe that black people do not deserve the same respect and treatment that the white people do. Atticus will have to deal with the consequences Tom Robinson including his children having to face the rude remarks of people around Maycomb.
When Atticus’s children, Jem and Scout are at Mrs. Dubose’s house and she says, “Your father is no better than the niggers and trash he works for (Lee 102)!”Scout and Jem will have to deal with this kind of abuse even though it isn’t their fault. It is quite childish of Mrs. Dubose to say this because she is the adult and should keep her opinions to her self especially about a topic like this. However, Atticus does not see this as something to have burden over but instead an opportunity to help a man who really could use it.
Atticus is a brave person because he chose to defend Tom Robinson when no one else had the heart too. Atticus is a hero because a hero is someone who willingly helps someone in need despite the outcome or consequences that may come.Atticus Finch is a hero because he is boldly taking the initial steps to equality for all races in Maycomb County. At this time in Maycomb white people have the absurd belief that black people are lower than them and have absolutely no respect for them. When Atticus got the job of defending Tom Robinson he wanted to change people’s views on black people, showing that the color of a man’s skin should not put someone lower than another.
Atticus wants to do more than just prove Tom Robinson innocent; he wants to leave a lasting influence in the minds of the people of Maycomb county.He is trying to promote that the idea that white people have in there mind that black people have no place is wrong. As a result of the trial Atticus proves that Tom Robinson was clearly innocent but the jury pronounces him guilty just because he is black. After the trial, townsfolk like Mr.
Underwood, a writer for The Maycomb Tribune has joined the campaign for equality of races. Scout summarizes an article Mr. Underwood writes by saying “He likened Tom’s death to the senseless slaughter of songbirds by hunters and children (Lee 241). ”Atticus and Mr. Underwood are not the only ones taking a stand; people like Link Deas and Atticus’ family members are willing to fight for equality as well. Atticus is doing a great thing for the town of Maycomb and is a step in the right direction for the hope of someday having all races treated fairly.
Atticus is doing everything a hero could do to help a man clearly in need when no one else will. He fails in the task of defending Tom Robinson, he goes into the trial knowing he has absolutely no chance of winning the trial, but he does what a hero would do an tries as hard as he can and sends a message with it.If nothing else is to come from the trial Atticus wants to leave a lasting influence on everyone to understand that all races need to be created equal an that the color of a persons skin should not set him or her apart from everyone else. Atticus puts everything on the line and fights for what he believes in despite the consequences. He does the right thing fighting for Tom and lives with no regrets because Atticus will hopefully be the reason for change and equality for all.
