The Man of Justice: To Kill a Mockingbird

Haddy Dahoui
Mrs. Disley
ENG1Da
1 December 2014
The Man of Justice It is said to be a sin to kill a mockingbird because “‘Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy’” (Lee 94). In this novel many sins were committed. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee the behavior of Atticus Finch shows that he is a hero, because he demonstrated understanding, thoughtfulness, and passion towards his children, neighbour-hood, and city. Atticus is a man who raised his children in an admirable way. He never yelled at the two, or abused them by physical punishment. Atticus also never bragged about how he could do many things, like shoot a gun, which may have taught the children a lot.

Atticus woke up one day to see his neighbour’s house on fire. He tells Jem and Scout to wait by the Radley’s house, because Miss Maudie’s home is in a dangerous state. While the children watched the house burn from the Radleys’, they spotted their brave dad run into the house to grab something. “I saw Atticus carrying Miss Maudie’s heavy oak rocking chair, and thought it was sensible of him to save what she most valued” (Lee 93). Atticus had the courage to run into a burning house to save a neighbour’s favourite rocking chair in the freezing cold! The Old Sarum Bunch came to the prison where Tom Robinson was held; (with rifles and weapons), and Atticus wouldn’t accept their orders. The children were watching their father sitting in front of the jail with a light and a book, when many cars then came by. Atticus began speaking to the group and they asked “’you know what we want’ another man said. ‘Get aside the door Mr. Finch’” (Lee 202). Atticus courageously replied by stating “’You can turn around and go home, Walter’” (Lee 202). This is only one of the things Atticus has done for Tom Robinson’s safety and comfort.

Atticus was put in a situation where he had to shoot a dog to save his neighbours. This started when Jem and Scout were trying to find some wildlife to shoot at when, they spot Tim Johnson (a dog). He was acting weird, so the children ran to their nanny, Calpurnia, and told her about the situation. She later called Atticus and told him to come because of this animal. Sheriff Heck Tate and Atticus came out of the car with a rifle. Atticus is handed the gun and shoots Jim Johnson. Atticus later states to the child “’Don’t you go near that dog, you understand? Don’t go near him, he’s just as dangerous dead as alive’” (Lee 128).

Atticus is a brave hero that has done many things to improve others’ joy, like when he let Mr. Ewells spit in his face so Bob’s children wouldn’t get abused. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee the behavior of Atticus Finch shows that he is a hero, because he demonstrated understanding, thoughtfulness, and passion towards his children, neighbourhood, and city. Atticus is considered a hero because he committed selfless acts to help others in need. He treated everyone with respect regardless of their race or background.
Work Sited

Lee, Harper. To Kill A Mockingbird. Grand Central Publishing: New York, 1960.