Eng.9 1st Period
11/19/07
T.K.A.M. Essay
Characteristics of a True Hero
What does it take to be a true hero, do you know? The book To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee is a book that contains "heroic," as well as "unheroic" characters. Certainly I would not hesitate to say that a hero can be measured by his qualities. In To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee believes that true heroes poses bravery, compassion, and honesty.
Naturally bravery is a very important quality a true hero should poses. Jem is a very brave boy. When Him and Scout are walking home from the pageant Jem is not afraid, even though he knows someone is following them. "'Jem are you afraid?' 'No.'" Not being afraid in this sort of situation determined to just protect his little sister, thats pretty brave to me. Another character with bravery as a quality is Mr. Arthur (Boo) Radley. Although he did not like coming out of his home he came out to come and help Scout and Jem when Bob was attacking them. One other character I would like to point out is Atticus, he was very brave in defending Tom Robinson even though he knew he was going to loose the case. Bravery is very very important, you can't have a coward hero, these characters are brave heroes.
However if one does not poses compassion then he is not a true hero. Jem is a hero in this area as well. When Jem finds out that Walter has not brought lunch to school he invites him home for dinner. "'Come on home to dinner with us, Walter, we'd be glad to have you"' This is a very kind thing to say to someone who doesn't have food of his own. Equally important then comes Scout, she was compassionate to Atticus when he told her that Bob fell on his knife thinking that was not the truth. An example I would like to give about someone who in my eyes is not a hero, is Alexandra. She is not a hero to me because she is racist and judges people according to class, to me those are not compassionate doings. To be compassionate when not forced is something beautiful, something that Alexandra does not have, something that Sout and her Brother do.
Of course any true hero possess the most important quality of all, honesty. Atticus is also a hero for his honesty. Atticus is a very honest man in everything he does even if it involves the safety of his children. "'But nobody's hushing this up. I don't live that way."' Mighty great of Atticus to say this when his son is being accused of the murderer of Bob Ewell. Bob Ewell is not at all an honest man, he is completely the opposite. When it came to the accusation of Tom Robinson, he lied. When it came time of the trial he lied and I am sure that his life is made up of lies. What terrible way to live so dishonest, I bet it does not feel good to be that much of a liar. On the other hand people like Atticus that are so honest it is great to be like him.
Honesty, compassion, and bravery are possessed by the true heroes in To Kill A Mockingbird, believes Harper Lee. Atticus, Scout, Jem and Boo Radley are just four of the many true hero characters in To Kill A Mockingbird. These three qualities are very important not only in a true hero , but also in your everyday average person and are possessed by the above characters. That is something that is really great and worthy of being called truly heroic.
Naturally bravery is a very important quality a true hero should poses. Jem is a very brave boy. When Him and Scout are walking home from the pageant Jem is not afraid, even though he knows someone is following them. "'Jem are you afraid?' 'No.'" Not being afraid in this sort of situation determined to just protect his little sister, thats pretty brave to me. Another character with bravery as a quality is Mr. Arthur (Boo) Radley. Although he did not like coming out of his home he came out to come and help Scout and Jem when Bob was attacking them. One other character I would like to point out is Atticus, he was very brave in defending Tom Robinson even though he knew he was going to loose the case. Bravery is very very important, you can't have a coward hero, these characters are brave heroes.
However if one does not poses compassion then he is not a true hero. Jem is a hero in this area as well. When Jem finds out that Walter has not brought lunch to school he invites him home for dinner. "'Come on home to dinner with us, Walter, we'd be glad to have you"' This is a very kind thing to say to someone who doesn't have food of his own. Equally important then comes Scout, she was compassionate to Atticus when he told her that Bob fell on his knife thinking that was not the truth. An example I would like to give about someone who in my eyes is not a hero, is Alexandra. She is not a hero to me because she is racist and judges people according to class, to me those are not compassionate doings. To be compassionate when not forced is something beautiful, something that Alexandra does not have, something that Sout and her Brother do.
Of course any true hero possess the most important quality of all, honesty. Atticus is also a hero for his honesty. Atticus is a very honest man in everything he does even if it involves the safety of his children. "'But nobody's hushing this up. I don't live that way."' Mighty great of Atticus to say this when his son is being accused of the murderer of Bob Ewell. Bob Ewell is not at all an honest man, he is completely the opposite. When it came to the accusation of Tom Robinson, he lied. When it came time of the trial he lied and I am sure that his life is made up of lies. What terrible way to live so dishonest, I bet it does not feel good to be that much of a liar. On the other hand people like Atticus that are so honest it is great to be like him.
Honesty, compassion, and bravery are possessed by the true heroes in To Kill A Mockingbird, believes Harper Lee. Atticus, Scout, Jem and Boo Radley are just four of the many true hero characters in To Kill A Mockingbird. These three qualities are very important not only in a true hero , but also in your everyday average person and are possessed by the above characters. That is something that is really great and worthy of being called truly heroic.
