Atticus Finch The Face Of The Modern Hero - 1789 Words

Atticus Finch: The Face of the Modern Hero Many types of heroes exist in the real and fictional worlds of today, but the modern hero is the most powerful and effective. A modern hero possesses powers such as intelligence, self-control, and a strong will. Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, does not go on a mythical quest like the classic hero but searches within himself for the courage and integrity to do what is right and change the reality around him. Atticus Finch is a lawyer living in Maycomb, Alabama during the 1930s, a time known as the Great Depression. Atticus Finch is a heroic character who must face the adversities that the racist prejudice of Maycomb County residents put him through and raise his children, Jem and Scout, in the way he sees as morally correct. Atticus believes in the goodness of all people and that a man should always stand by his belief no matter what the outcome is. Because of their father’s moral code, Jem and Scout are exposed to the judgment of the society when their father agrees to defend a black man, Tom Robinson, falsely accused of raping a white women. Jem and Scout watch as their society battles within itself to resolve issues of equality and justice. Atticus Finch is an evident modern hero as he shows strength and courage when he is faced with impossible obstacles, has qualities and traits that separate him from the society around him, and has a moral code that prompts him to be a catalyst for change that impactsShow MoreRelatedInspiration, Saviour And Hero : Atticus Finch1597 Words   |  7 PagesSaviour and Hero: Atticus Finch When we hear the word hero, the typical view that comes to mind is someone who fights crime and saves people from mortal dangers, but the true definition of a hero is a courageous person, admired for their brave deeds and noble qualities. â€Å"To Kill a Mockingbird† by Harper Lee uses memorable characters to explore Civil Rights and racism in the 1930’s; during the segregation in the Southern states of USA. The story is told through the eyes of Scout Finch. As the storyRead MoreRole and evolution of the hero in literature1472 Words   |  6 Pages If Hero means sincere man, why may not everyone of us be a Hero? (Carlyle, qtd. in Hoyt s New Cyclopedia of Practical Quotations). This statement makes heroism seem simple, but is being sincere enough to make you a hero? In modern society, the answer is likely to be yes, but in literature, it can be controversial. A hero in literature is generally portrayed as a man of action rather than thought. He exceeds ordinary men in skill, strength, and courage and his usual occupations are warRead MoreKill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee1910 Words   |  8 Pagesthe Pulitzer Prize, and has become a classic of modern American literature. The plot and characters are loosely based on the author s observations of her family and neighbors, as well as on an event that occurred near her hometown in 1936, when she was 10 years old. The novel is renowned for its warmth and humor, despite dealing with the serious issues of rape and racial inequality. The narrator s father, Atticus Finch, has served as a moral hero for many readers and as a model of integrity for