Notes

In Harper lee’s novel “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Atticus’s behavior and actions show that he is the hero. This mysterious man has done many positive deeds throughout the story, one such moment is when scout describes her father as caring by saying “Jem and I found our father satisfactory: he played with us, read to us, and treated us with courteous detachment” (6). Although Atticus spends some time away from home working, he still finds time for his children. It is difficult for the family because, Scout’s mom died when she was just 2 years old. Another time when Atticus is shown being the hero is when Atticus warns the children about a fire at Miss Maudie’s house, as they escape their home to inspect the fire they notice flames flying from the dining room windows. Atticus tells the children to take shelter near the Radley’s place. After doing so, Jem notices Atticus going into the burning house to retrieve Miss Maudie’s heavy oak rocking chair which was most valued to her (69). Atticus knows that the house was burning down but, still went in the house to retrieve Miss Maudie’s oak chair. Who is crazy enough to that? Atticus is, in the novel Atticus defends Tom Robinson in a court case. He shows equal respect toward those that are treated differently. While Atticus’s sister was visiting, he tells his own sister “I don’t see any harm in letting her go out there. I couldn’t have got along without her all these years, I don’t think the children’ve suffered one bit from her having brought them up.” He stood up against his sister for Calpurnia, a black woman (136). Atticus knows that showing grace to the “blacks” will bring him trouble but, still recognizes that they are people too. During this time, people who defended those who were different were shunned. Lastly, Atticus describes how a Negro is just as equal as a white man and says that they make the same mistakes (204). Atticus has swayed against the majority and did what he believed was right, which was defending the “Negro’s.” Throughout the novel, Atticus’s behavior and actions revealed a man who showed endless amount of effort for everyone around him, his actions truly express the hero that he is.