Essay, Research Paper: To Kill A Mockingbird

In Harper Lee's novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" there is an idealistic hero, Atticus Finch, who because of the ways he raised his children and the non-racial views he had in the prejudice town of Maycomb.

Atticus believed all men were created equal. The Finches had a nanny called "Calpurnia". She was African-American, but treated very nicely by the family. Atticus' sister, "Aunt Alexandra" asked Atticus why he employed a black nanny. Atticus wouldn't want his children raised by any other person but Calpurnia. These actions revealed Atticus's modern ideas of equality.

In the novel there came a point when Atticus had to make a critical decision, whether or not to defend a black man accused of rape. He knew the people in town of Maycomb, where he resided in, would lose their respect for him. However, Atticus could not keep a clear conscious if he did not defend this innocent man. As well, the respect that his children give him for being such an idealist in the society that shuns most African-Americans. At this time in the South there was a very slim chance that a black man accused for anything by a white man would ever be set free. He knew the odds were against him and that he will most definitely lose the case, but all he cares is that he tried. This whole belief system is based on the idea that every man is crated equal, regardless of his culture, religion, or colour.

Maycomb was a fiercely racist town, which attempted to beat Atticus to demonstrate their hatred of blacks and their sympathizers. Out of all the troubles Atticus had to face he still tried to persuade the jury to let Tom Robinson, the accused black man, go free. There is no word for describing how lucky Tom was to have Atticus defend him. But it was not only the ignorance of the town that led to the attacks on Atticus. It was the fact that Atticus held the power of truth, which showed a black man's innocence and a white girl's fault. This weakened the white supremacy of the town to the inferior blacks. In this being the platforms whites used to hold themselves above the black population.

Elected to the legislature, Atticus was well known in the town. People respected
him and made him a role model for being so educated. He instructed to his children that Arthur Radely, a mentally ill man, had his own choice if he wanted to go outside and interact with the world or live the life of a hermit. Atticus's children were very curious and wanted to know more about the man. Atticus sympathized with Arthur and repeatedly tried to discourage his children into pursuing their curiosity. His children were taught compassion and understanding not to fear what they did not know and learn from it. He kept his children in line, but Atticus never beat them. This, by seeing all forms of violence wrong, showed complete mental understanding and even further more proved that he was the idealistic hero.

Scout had some problems at school. She fought with her fists instead of her head. Atticus wasn't fond of this and told her to ignore rude or racist remarks hurled at her. Even if it was at her father. As well, Atticus asked Scout to first think what kind of human being person was before judging them from instinct. He showed Scout to be
open minded about peoples views and think for herself than follow a group. The children of Atticus would grow up, mature and become intelligent people because of his influence.

There was an incident with Scout and a boy called "Walter Cunningham". Walter came from a poor family, but in school the teacher did not know that. When she asked Walter why he did not have a lunch, Scout bluntly remarked, "You're shamin' him, Miss Caroline. Walter hasn't got a quarter at home to bring you, and you can't use any stove wood." The teacher, Miss Caroline, dragged Scout to her desk and slapped Scout's hands with a ruler a dozen little pats. To seek revenge on "starting off on the wrong foot", Scout met Walter in the schoolyard to start a fight. Jem broke up the fight and invited Walter to dinner. Walter was reluctant to accept the invite, but decided in the end to go.
During the dinner he was very shy, but Atticus coaxed him into taking larger helping of food. At one point he drizzled molasses all over his food. Scout madde an offensive comment at him, ["But he's gone and drowned his dinner in syrup," I protested. "He's poured it all over"]. Calpurnia then took Scout into the kitchen and told her, ["There are some folks who don't eat like us," she whispered fiercely, "but you ain't called on to contradict 'em at the table when they don't. That boy's yo' comp'ny and if he wants to eat up the tablecloth you let him, you hear?"] Calpurnia extended Atticus's idea of tolerance of others and that was one of the characteristics he hired Calpurnia for.

For Christmas Scout and Jem asked for air rifles. Atticus complied; however, told them not to shoot at Mockingbirds. His exact words were, "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." This puzzled his children so Scout went to Miss Maudie, a friendly neighbour, and asked why it was a sin to kill a mockingbird.

"Your father's right, she said. Mockingbirds don't do one thing but 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 is a sin to kill a mockingbird." ,
Miss Maudie replied.

Concluding that Atticus Finch, in the novel "To Kill a Mockingbird", is the idealistic hero, one may come to the conclusion that he had many supporting facts to back up the statement. His leadership skills, being the scholar and his open mind let him into the hearts of the readers. In Maycomb, a perfect stereotypical southern town, Atticus stands out from the rest. He tolerated the prehistoric prejudice views the people had against one another. The novel portrayed what one man, an idealistic hero, could accomplish among a town full of arrogant white men. His affairs affecting the lives of all the towns' people came to no surprise. Men wanted to be him and children loved him.