Examples Of Virtues In To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill A Mockingbird: A Mockingbird’s Virtue
In To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, several characters reveal the qualities of being a good person. Mockingbirds symbolize those who possess virtue: they do not cause unhappiness to people but rather they empathize with and help people selflessly in moderation. Atticus Finch, Boo Radley, and Tom Robinson display the virtues of a good person when they acquaint themselves as mockingbirds in Maycomb. Atticus Finch is one of the ‘mockingbirds’ due to his strong sense of morality, respect, and willingness to help people over his own convenience. Atticus’s ability to empathize with others is clear when Jem and Scout intrude into Boo Radley’s confinement out of curiosity. He reasons that “what
Mr. Radley did might seem peculiar to us, but it did not seem peculiar to him” (Lee 65). Although most of the town is cynical towards the fact that Boo Radley seldom comes out, Atticus realizes that each person has their own preferences. If this is how Boo Radley feels normal, then they should let him be. Incidentally, when Bob Ewell spits on Atticus and cusses at him, Atticus says “if spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that’s something I’ll gladly take” (Lee 293). Even though Bob Ewell embarrassed him in front of the town, Atticus is wise enough to know that if Bob’s anger simmers down due to this, Mayella Ewell will be spared of her daily pain. The fact that Atticus was able to empathize with Mayella Ewell, someone who is troubling him in court, rather than helping, says a lot about his moral values, and his duties that he puts over himself. Along with the boundaries of being empathetic, Atticus has a strong will for respecting peoples’ words, although they may not always be true. When Jem asks Atticus about the cemented tree, Mr. Nathan’s statement is in question.
“‘That tree’s as healthy as you are, Jem. Why?’”
“‘Mr. Nathan Radley said it was dyin’.’”
“‘Well maybe it is. I’m sure Mr. Radley knows more about his trees than we do’” (Lee 84).
It is evident that Atticus would rather believe the words of Nathan Radley and see the best in him than to doubt and degrade him as an untruthful person, especially in front of Jem and Scout.This recognizes his ways of respecting people.
The book then shifts to points of controversies, where The Finch Family is suddenly resented in Maycomb society because Atticus is defending Tom Robinson, a black man, in court. Scout incessantly asks why Atticus would go through the trouble when he doesn’t have to defend the man, and Atticus answers that “if [he] didn’t, [he] couldn't hold [his] head up in town” (Lee 100). It is clear that Atticus would rather lose his prestige of the town rather than his self-respect; because not helping a person in need would be much more burdensome for him. Although he is aware that he will most likely lose the case, he is not afraid of defending Tom Robinson for nothing in his favor, or fearful that most of the town will be angry with him, because he knows in the end that he attempted to accomplish what was morally right. Atticus exemplifies as a true mockingbird on his part, and it is easy to see the depth of his virtue in all of his actions. Despite the fact that Boo Radley is rarely seen out of his house, his selfless and modest nature is still shown through his many inconspicuous acts of kindness.
The people in Maycomb have their thoughts about Boo Radley cemented in their minds that he is perilous and should be distanced from. However, Boo Radley bears a kind heart and proves it when he “‘put a blanket around [Scout]’” (Lee 96). Jem and Scout were entangled in the chaos of the neighborhood when Ms. Maudie’s house caught on fire, and at that point everybody was too preoccupied to look after them. Boo realized that Scout must be cold, and draped a blanket of his over her. He did this in such a stealthily manner that Scout wondered how she got it, until Atticus points it out. As it turns out, this is Boo’s humble way of doing good deeds, as he didn’t want to be recognized or thanked. Similarly, a situation happened when Jem was in a hurry and left his pants in Boo’s yard, and by the time he came back for them, Boo “‘folded [Jem’s pants] across the fence… [and] sewed [them] up’” (Lee 78), even though Jem and Scout trespassed his property to spy on him. Jem was perplexed about who did this, as Boo yet again did not acknowledge his good doing. Later on, the truth comes out about who saved Jem and Scout from Bob Ewell’s misdeed. Boo Radley saw that Bob Ewell was hurting the children, and quickly stepped in. He stabbed Bob Ewell for defense, and quickly brought Jem and Scout to safety. His shy ways cease to show his virtue to society, which is a predilection of his own. Mr. Tate realizes this and declares what he believes is the right thing to
do:
“I never heard tell that it’s against the law for a citizen to do his utmost to prevent a crime from being committed, which is exactly what he did, but maybe you’ll say it’s my duty to tell the town all about it and not hush it up… To my thinkin’, Mr. Finch, taking the one man who’s done you and this town a great service an’ draggin’ him with his shy ways into the limelight-to me, that’s a sin” (Lee 370).
It seems that Mr. Tate thinks the best thing to do about Boo’s good deed is to not tell the town about it, and let Boo be as he is, because the fact is, thanking Boo and making a big deal of it would be more of a punishment for him than a reward. He recognizes that Boo does not need attention in order to help people, that he is actually better off without it. On the whole, Boo Radley is found to be a mockingbird with his moderation in the virtuous things he accomplishes to do, no matter how isolated he may seem to be from society.
Tom Robinson holds much respect for everyone, along with his empathy towards others and helpfulness to those who need it. He is a humane citizen of Maycomb who completes his duties and tasks that are asked of him. When Mayella Ewell requests him to help her with errands around the house, he obeys her, and kindly finishes the work. He “was probably the only person who was ever decent to [Mayella Ewell]” (Lee 257). Although Mayella Ewell is not from a valued family, Tom Robinson still treats her with as much respect as he would with anybody else, and assists her when she asks for it. Although he probably knows that being a black man, helping a white girl would lead him to trouble, he “‘felt right sorry for her, [because] she seemed to try more’n the rest of ‘em’” (Lee 264). Tom is empathetic towards Mayella, and understands how hard it must be for her to fend for herself and seven other children, so naturally, when she seeks for help, he gives it. It was easy for Scout to come to the realization that Tom Robinson “seemed to be a respectable Negro, and a respectable Negro would never go up into somebody’s yard of his own volition” (Lee 257). He is a fine man, and he “would never go up into somebody’s yard” without an open invitation, regardless of what Mayella Ewell accuses him of. He does not whine or protest too much, which are the big barriers between a truthful and untruthful person. Furthermore, as Tom pours out the truth of what actually happened, it appears that Mayella’s accusations of Tom taking advantage of her are false.
“‘Did you resist her advances?’”
“‘I tried to ‘thout bein’ ugly to her. I didn’t wanta push her or nothin’’” (Lee 260).
Although Mayella actually took advantage of him, and the real damage was on him, he still keeps calm and attempts to leave without creating too much of a commotion. His actions clearly state that he does not want anybody to get hurt and “didn’t wanta push” Mayella. In any case, no matter who or what the circumstances are, Tom Robinson will always be polite and respectful. Incidentally, Mayella Ewell is caught telling a lie, which Mr. Gilmer inquires about, until Tom Robinson answers that “she’s mistaken her in her mind” (Lee 264). Tom is well aware that the whole town will be against Mayella Ewell if they find out that she is purposefully lying, so he answers the question in a way that does not make her seem at fault. Knowing that he understands the feeling of the town’s resentment is perhaps the reason of him defending Mayella; he wants to protect her from wrath of the town. All things considered, it is effortless to find the mockingbird within Tom Robinson, seeing as he is never to be found disrespectful or inhumane towards any person. Although Atticus Finch, Boo Radley, and Tom Robinson appear to portray mockingbirds in their own ways, one thing is for certain: they each made a difference in Maycomb country, whether it was to one or many. The author uses the good deeds of these three to display that most of society tends to band together, even if what they are doing is wrong, but there are few who stand up against this wrongdoing and attempt to make it right. This lesson helps people recognize that their selflessness, empathy, and respect towards people is what empowers them to do the right thing, even if they are alone.