Scout Finch Hero

Words: 1286
Pages: 6

In a novel, the role of the protagonist is crucial; however, the role of side characters and mentors, otherwise known as the heroes of the story, are also essential to the plot. In the book To Kill a Mockingbird, the author Harper Lee took time to thoroughly describe and give life to her characters. The historical fiction novel follows the maturity and growth of the protagonist, Scout Finch, as she grasps the racial injustices of her town and learns to treat everyone with empathy and equality, no matter who they are. Although in most novels there is one clear hero, in To Kill a Mockingbird, the three most prominent heroes are Atticus, Arthur Radley, and Miss Maudie. Starting with Atticus, it is imperative to first learn who he is as a person. …show more content…
One of the main themes of the book includes the maturation of Scout, and how she learns to have empathy for others. Atticus played a huge role in this and taught her many life lessons. Being a lawyer, fairness and justice are both big parts of the values he exhibits. This is shown when he says, “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 36). This quote illustrates how Atticus has everyone’s best interests at heart. He thinks that being prejudiced is wrong and everyone should be treated with equal respect, a moral that he tries to teach his kids. In his parenting, he is always gentle and kind, exemplifying how he wants his children to be. In the book, Atticus says, “When a child asks you something, answer him, for goodness' sake. But don't make a production of it. Children are children, but they can spot evasion quicker than adults, and evasion simply muddles 'em” (Lee 87). In this situation, Atticus is explaining to his brother about his children. He is showing how he views and treats his children with equality, just like how he wants them to treat