Subjects:
the world. Having read her novel, which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1960 soon after its
publication, I was compelled to consider the novel in greater depth but was particularly
intrigued to examine the character of Atticus Finch as a hero.
Maycomb, a fictional town in the Southern States of America plays host to the novel
“To Kill a Mockingbird” follows a lawyer and his family prior to and during a legal
case to defend a black male, Tom Robinson, charged of raping a white female, Mayella
Ewell. This occurs in a very white orientated town.
Atticus Finch, Attorney and father of two children only plays a brief part in the opening
chapter but as this epic novel progresses so does his importance.
It becomes apparent that Atticus Finch, arguably the novel’s main character, is
extremely well respected in Maycomb by the majority of its residents. If someone
expresses a dislike towards him he will still try to do his “best to love everybody”.
Atticus is a man of extreme integrity and some say that it is through his mouth that
Harper Lee expresses her own morality, an opinion that I share. He represent
. . .
incapable of any sort of equality with them. This is apparent when Atticus protects the town’s people from the
rabid dog by shooting it. I feel that it
is important that the novel has an influential person, in this case Atticus, as he is
someone who can be relied on and looked upon as being a constant person throughout. I think that due to this
Atticus deserves to be regarded as heroic. Atticus is able
to use language stylishly when appropriate but he can also communicate very
simplistically such as when in a moment of crisis he can talk straightforwardly, for
example to Jem and Scout, to enhance understanding. This reflects the character ‘Atticus’,
which Lee has so cleverly created. Atticus, however, is formal in speech, which adds to his
charm. Maycomb’s intolerance according
to Atticus is “Maycomb County’s usual disease”. All of the
characteristics, which Atticus displays, reflect ones that are present in a hero. I feel this as she presents the black community in a
complimentary way, which personally increases my pity for them. s a true
gentleman; his conduct is always courteous despite any provocation whether privately
or publicly. Atticus has some flaws,
however I do not consider these to be harmful. He
believes that a struggle for justice is always well worthwhile. Bob Ewell, for instance, is foul mouthed and is reproved in court for
using indecent language. This suggests to me that this is
something that occurs on a regular basis and that black people are seen to be
‘contagious’.
Essay's Topics
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