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Daisy Chen

Mr. Turvey

English 12

16. March 2018

Atticus Finch: Moral Hero in To Kill a Mockingbird ?

Racism lurks in almost every person’s heart and quietly soaks in the daily life in

Maycomb. However, a brave man stands out and strives to break the silence by

defending Tom Robinson, an African American accused of rape. His name is Atticus

Finch, an intelligent lawyer and Scout’s father. Through Scout’s narration, readers

gradually realize that Tom Robinson is innocent and Atticus stands on the side of

justice. Atticus’s defense of the underdog in To Kill a Mockingbird turns him into a

favorite character for literary critics. Laurie Champion identifies that Harper Lee uses

eye imagery to represent the moral views of Atticus in her article “When You Finally

See Them: ‘The Unconquered Eye in To Kill a Mockingbird.’”. Champion also says

that “Atticus possesses just such a transparent eye --- physically blind yet able to

focus on meaning beyond literal sight” (239). In the article “Atticus Finch and the

Mad Dog: Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird,” Carolyn Jones reasons that the

repeating scenes of the mad dog reveal Atticus’s gentle way to interact with others

that “a man who knows himself and who, therefore can love others” (162). In the

article “Moral Integrity? Atticus Finch And The Cardinal Virtues,” Amanda C.

Osheim examines Scout’s growth and claims that Atticus is “a moral foundation for
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his children” because he teaches Scout about justice and empathy (201). All of these

critics analyze the novel through formalism and identify Atticus as a moral hero, but

through different lenses. Champion shows Atticus’s character by exploring his

eyesight, while Jones analyzes the novel’s repeating pattern. Osheim observes

Atticus’s morality in reference to Scout’s maturation overtime. The integration of

explicit and indirect depictions makes a character more vivid. Harper Lee uses all of

the techniques the three critics mention to characterize Atticus. In To Kill a

Mockingbird, the eye imagery, the repeating pattern of the mad dog scene, and

Atticus’s guidance for Scout portray him as a moral hero who fights for justice with

empathy.

Harper Lee uses the eye imagery to show that Atticus’s poor physical eyesight

and moral insight is a contrast with Mayella’s and Mr. Cunningham’s superficial

insight. Scout always thinks that her father looks much older than his actual age

because of his poor eyesight. Atticus’s left eye is almost blind - “whenever he wanted

to see something well, he turned his head and looked from his right eye” (Lee 98).

However, Atticus sees things correctly. During the trial, he uses Tom’s injured left

arm to prove that Tom cannot be the one who rapes Mayella since her right eye is

injured. Atticus’s good right eye reflects justice and his ability to see Tom Robinson’s

innocence without the racism bias which is common in Maycomb. In contrast,

Mayella has an impaired right eye, which intimates that she is partially blinded by her

father’s racism and abuse. She can only see what her father tells her to see because

she is afraid of him. Although Atticus has poor eyesight, he sees the truth and has the
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ability to reflect the truth like a clear mirror. He is not influenced by stereotypes.

Instead, he sees the racial issues and tries to fight for justice. Another example is the

contrast between Mr. Cunningham and Atticus. During the night before the trial, Mr.

Cunningham and other townspeople attempt to lynch Tom Robinson. When Scout

asks Atticus why Mr. Cunningham does this, Atticus says, “he just has the blind spots

along with the rest of us” (Lee 168). Though Mr. Cunningham has the perfect eyesight,

he has a heart which is blinded by regressive prejudice and racism. Even worse, he is

unaware of his own blind spot and narrow-mindedness. Atticus, however, as a

self-reflective persons, admits and perceives his own flaws. Reflecting and

understanding his own limitations and makes him become modest, respectful, and

rational. In addition, Atticus does not simply complain about Mr. Cunningham. He

stills sees things from the positive perspective and views the good part of people.

Atticus understands that Mr. Cunningham is a good person overall and now he is only

trapped in his blind spot now. The blind left eye heightens Atticus’s senses, enabling

him to comprehend that racial inequality is the nature of the social problems in

Maycomb. Thus, the eye imagery draws readers’ attention to Atticus inner mind and

wisdom, reflects his morality, and helps to portray him as a heroic character.

If the eye imagery represents Atticus’s inner virtue, then the repeating pattern of

the mad dog scene demonstrates Atticus’ integrity through his words and actions. In

the first mad dog scene, Atticus shoots a mad dog and saves town people. “Atticus

risks the chance of missing, and the dog running up, and attacking them. He also risks

the chance of shooting a non-rabid dog” (To Kill A Mockingbird: Courage of Atticus
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Finch). If the dog raises its head, the only thing it could see is Atticus. Thus, Atticus

puts himself in danger to protect innocent people which demonstrates his courage.

The second mad dog scene is when Atticus confronts with two groups of white people

before Tom Robinson’s trial. The first group is the upper class white people, and they

warn Atticus that Tom is dangerous. The second group is consisted of lower class

white people. They are infuriated because Atticus defends for a black man, and they

think Atticus is powerless. Atticus responds these two group saying, “Do you really

think so?” (Lee 148). Racism is like a disease in Maycomb and it turns people into

mad dog because they consider Tom as a liar and danger without any logical reason.

Facing Atticus’ question, they do not have any reason to vindicate and thus become

angry. Atticus is like a bullet which penetrates into those people’s mind. The way

Attcius doubts tradition is what keeps him rational. His question also shows his

wisdom and respect for others. Instead of inappropriate word or fists, he fights back

by asking a powerful question that forces people to reflect and question their flawed

mindset about racial justice. The third mad dog scene is during the trial of Tom

Robinson. Mayella’s father Bob Ewell shouted that “I see that black nigger yonder

ruttin’ on my Mayella!” (Lee 175). Mayella insists on lying that she is raped by Tom

Robinson and claims that if jury does not do anything about this, they are all cowards.

The daughter and the father do not have any critical evidence to prove Tom’s guilt

except repeating the story they made up. In addition, the word “rutting” also shows

that Bob denies Tom’s right to be a human by treating him as an animal. Bob and

Mayella are mad dogs. Atticus still uses the line,“Do you really think so?” as his
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weapon to encourage Mayella to see the truth. However, she turns her head away.

Nevertheless, Atticus’ questions work on the jury. He made one step forward on his

way of fighting for racial justice. The jury spends the night to think about the case

without making immediate decision based on racism. Atticus is not blinded by racism

and he bravely takes the responsibility to defend for Tom’s innocence. He puts

himself in a dangerous situation but still gives enough respect to those irrational

people. Atticus, as an ethical hero, uses his own way to awake Maycomb from racism

and push people to question their stereotypes in daily life.

Atticus’s morality not only impacts townspeople, it also influences Scout because

he passes down empathy and compassion to her. Lee uses “the coming of age” in To

Kill a Mockingbird and it shows the audience how Scout gradually grows to maturity.

In this process, Atticus plays an important role because he guides Scout to be a

righteous girl. When Scout has a bad day at school, especially a bad conversation with

the new teacher, Atticus teaches her that “You never really understand a person until

you consider things from his point of view......until you climb into his skin and walk

around in it" (Lee 39). He tells Scout to have empathy for others. And Scout indeed

puts his teaching into practice. When she walks Boo Radley home, she stands on

Boo’s porch and starts to think how Boo perceives the world and the events. “Atticus

was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes

and walk around in them. Just Standing on Radley’s porch was enough” (Lee 281).

Standing on Boo’s porch represents thinking things from Boo’s perspective. Scout

finally realizes that Boo is not the ghost people describe, instead, Boo offers her
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protection and wants to befriend her. Atticus’s guidance allows Scout to view Boo

without stereotypes and to recognize the loving heart of Boo. What makes Scout have

a further understanding of Boo is Atticus’s other advice to her: “Remember it's a sin

to kill a mockingbird” (Lee 119). Atticus teaches Scout to see the good qualities of

people and to treat people with love and respect. Scout shows her understanding of

Atticus’s words when she agrees with him and sheriff that Boo should not be

punished for Bob Ewell’s murder. She says, “Well, it’d be sort of like shootin’ a

mockingbird, wouldn’t it?” (Lee 279). She knows that Boo only wants to help others

and to charge him in front of public hurts him because he is afraid of crowds. Scout’s

maturity reflects Atticus moral character. First, he equips Scout with empathy and

compassion to avoid racism and stereotypes. Children are like a mirror which reflects

back how great their parents are. It is because Atticus is a man with a moral mind in

that he has the ability to lead Scout. Second, as Tim Dare, philosophy professor in The

University of Auckland, argues in his critical analysis: “He is a loving, patient, and

understanding father who guides his children to virtue while respecting them as

individuals capable of judgment and decision” (96). The reason why Scout is willing

to obey and respect Atticus is because he gives equal respect to her. He uses a gentle

way to teach Scout how to conduct oneself. Instead of forcing Scout to behave, he

gives her advice like a friend. As a father, Atticus successfully uses his moral value to

promote Scout’s moral development.

Atticus’s moral and heroic character reflects in his righteous insight, the

respectful way to treat irrational townspeople, the efforts to fight for justice and his
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parenting of Scout. As a lawyer, he casts a skeptical eye on conventional racism. His

morality builds a firm wall to prevent racism from penetrating into his mind. He

bravely takes the responsibility to help Tom’s case regardless what other people may

think or do to him. He keeps his clear mind, forces people to see the hidden racism

and calls for justice. As a citizen in Maycomb, he treats everyone with equal respect.

He captures the positive parts on people and thinks in others’ perspective

considerately. He also stands out and exposes himself in danger in order to save

townspeople. As a father, he also gives respect to his daughter and teaches her moral

lessons. He teaches her to love others, to sympathize others and to consider for others.

His outstanding performance at work, at town and at home all portrays him as a moral

hero. When the whole town is soaked in racism, he is the one who tries to pull people

out. When her daughter is lost on the road to maturity, he is the one who guides her

and drills morality into her mind. Atticus is a true hero not only at town but also at

home. He is a perfect role model to educate people that one do not need superpower

to be a hero. If he could recognize his limitations, take his responsibility, give equal

respect and have the courage to fight for what he believes and have critical thinking

instead of drifting with the current, then he deserves the admiration of others and is a

hero to himself.
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Works Cited

Champion, Laurie. "CRITICAL READINGS: "When You Finally See Them": The

Unconquered Eye in to Kill a Mockingbird." Critical Insights: To Kill a

Mockingbird,Jan.2010,pp.237-253.EBSCOhost,search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx

?direct=true&db=lfh&AN=48267916&site=lrc-live&authtype=cookie,ip,custuid

&custid=infohio.

Dare, Tim. "CRITICAL READINGS: Lawyers, Ethics, and to Kill a

Mockingbird." Critical Insights: To Kill a Mockingbird, Jan. 2010, pp. 94-111.

EBSCOhost,search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lfh&AN=482679

09&site=lrc-live&authtype=cookie,ip,custuid&custid=infohio.

Jones, Carolyn. "CRITICAL READINGS: Atticus Finch and the Mad Dog: Harper

Lees to Kill a Mockingbird." Critical Insights: To Kill a Mockingbird, Jan. 2010,

pp.145-164.EBSCOhost,search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lfh&

AN=48267911&site=lrc-live&authtype=cookie,ip,custuid&custid=infohio.

Lee, Harper. “To Kill a Mockingbird”. New York: Popular Library, 1962.

Osheim, Amanda C. “ MORAL INTEGRITY? ATTICUS FINCH AND THE

CARDINAL VIRTUES.” Literature and Theology, vol. 25, no. 2, 2011, pp.

199–218. JSTOR, JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/23927551.

SchoolWorkHelper. “To Kill A Mockingbird: Courage of Atticus Finch”. School Work

Helper.https://schoolworkhelper.net/to-kill-a-mockingbird-courage-of-atticus-fin

ch/
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