Superheroes are men and women with abnormal powers that are used for the good of the people. Atticus Finch is the epitome of a modern-day superhero in the eyes of some. His bold acts of defending a black man amid the peak of prejudice and segregation are seen as minor transgression. Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird depicts Atticus’ lesson of having courage and finding courage in others, and his lessons are undoubtedly valuable, especially in Tom Robinson’s trial, the children’s encounters with Boo Radley and real life prejudice.
Atticus Finch teaches his children, Jem and Scout, about courage and finding it within themselves. Initially, Atticus introduces his lessons to Scout and Jem as courage. Courage is the “mental or moral strength …show more content…
They finally see the value of courage, as Scout encounters the side of Boo Radley, and she sees his own courage. Boo Radley’s courage saved Scout and Jem’s life. “‘...When they finally saw him, why he hadn’t done any of those things . . . Atticus, he was real nice. . . .’ His hands were under my chin, pulling up the cover, tucking it around me. ‘Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them,’”(Lee, 376). While Atticus’ courage could not spare the life of Tom Robinson, he refused to give up, even when people such as Cunningham would say something against it. Nevertheless, in the beginning of To KIll a Mockingbird, Boo was seen as an outcast. However, Scout realized that he was a mockingbird. “Atticus said to Jem one day, ‘I’d rather you shot at tin cans in the backyard, but I know you’ll go after birds. Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.’ That was the only time I ever heard Atticus say it was a sin to do something, and I asked Miss Maudie about it... ‘Mockingbirds don’t do one thing except make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corncribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird,’”(Lee, 119). Mockingbirds have courage, for they sing even when it’s dark. Scout did not seem to believe it at …show more content…
While the novel takes place in 1930s Alabama, Lee wrote and published it in 1960. During the nearly 30 year difference, racial segregation was dominant in the South. Lee hoped that readers would read the book, and aspire to be like Atticus Finch. “...the [film] character of Atticus became forever entwined with the actor who portrayed him, Gregory Peck. But whether you first encountered him on page or on screen, Atticus was unforgettable — a modest man of great integrity, he managed to impart his wisdom without being too preachy,” (npr.org). Atticus has undoubtedly impacted the civil rights movement, and even modern prejudice. He taught his children and those who read the novel that having courage means not giving up. Those icons who fought for the nation’s equality faced devastating challenges. Yet, by believing the good of people and being the good, segregation ended in
Atticus Finch teaches his children, Jem and Scout, about courage and finding it within themselves. Initially, Atticus introduces his lessons to Scout and Jem as courage. Courage is the “mental or moral strength …show more content…
They finally see the value of courage, as Scout encounters the side of Boo Radley, and she sees his own courage. Boo Radley’s courage saved Scout and Jem’s life. “‘...When they finally saw him, why he hadn’t done any of those things . . . Atticus, he was real nice. . . .’ His hands were under my chin, pulling up the cover, tucking it around me. ‘Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them,’”(Lee, 376). While Atticus’ courage could not spare the life of Tom Robinson, he refused to give up, even when people such as Cunningham would say something against it. Nevertheless, in the beginning of To KIll a Mockingbird, Boo was seen as an outcast. However, Scout realized that he was a mockingbird. “Atticus said to Jem one day, ‘I’d rather you shot at tin cans in the backyard, but I know you’ll go after birds. Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.’ That was the only time I ever heard Atticus say it was a sin to do something, and I asked Miss Maudie about it... ‘Mockingbirds don’t do one thing except make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corncribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird,’”(Lee, 119). Mockingbirds have courage, for they sing even when it’s dark. Scout did not seem to believe it at …show more content…
While the novel takes place in 1930s Alabama, Lee wrote and published it in 1960. During the nearly 30 year difference, racial segregation was dominant in the South. Lee hoped that readers would read the book, and aspire to be like Atticus Finch. “...the [film] character of Atticus became forever entwined with the actor who portrayed him, Gregory Peck. But whether you first encountered him on page or on screen, Atticus was unforgettable — a modest man of great integrity, he managed to impart his wisdom without being too preachy,” (npr.org). Atticus has undoubtedly impacted the civil rights movement, and even modern prejudice. He taught his children and those who read the novel that having courage means not giving up. Those icons who fought for the nation’s equality faced devastating challenges. Yet, by believing the good of people and being the good, segregation ended in