by Lauren Reynolds

Created on: May 23, 2008

Harper Lee's To Kill A Mocking Bird established a meaning and depth of understanding of human mind-sets, however and more importantly; it portrayed realistic people and everyday heroes to six-year-old, Scout Finch. In a dictionary "hero" is defined to the effect of "In mythology and legends, a man, often noble, with great courage and strength, made great journeys, and favored by the gods". In reality, a hero is anyone, man or woman, that an individual can look up to and follow their example in society. This description could bring a plethora of heroes to mind, but for Scout, there were two major idols in her life. Scout's heroes were her father, Mr. Atticus Finch, and her neighbor, Miss. Maudie Atkinson.

Atticus guided Scout and helped her learn throughout the book. One important trait was that he was always honest with her. And he felt that all children had the right to know the honest answer to their questions, even in times when it seemed questionable for their age. As Atticus explained to his brother, Jack, "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 an evasion quicker than adults, and evasion simply muddles 'em" (Lee 87). A second laudable trait was his ability to be a role model to Scout and show her how to treat everyone equally and act the same in any situation. "I can't live one way in town and another way in my home" (Lee 274). Atticus supported Scout, and helped her see in the perspective of others.

Miss. Maudie was a trusted friend of Scout, despite the fact that she was an adult. Like Atticus, she was there to encourage Scout when Scout was down, and help set Scout straight when she started to get off track. Miss. Maudie was intelligent and helped explain things to Scout and her brother, "Whether Maycomb knows it or not, we're paying the highest tribute we can pay a man. We trust him to do right. It's that simple" (Lee 236). Miss. Maudie also played a role that Atticus could not; she was a lady figure to Scout. Although she did accept Scout as a tomboy wearing overalls, Scout may have picked up a thing or too from Miss. Maudie.

Scout learned and grew up well from the people around her. These people, heroes, helped guide her through life so she wasn't just taking a stab in the dark. From Atticus' respect of everyone and Miss. Maudie's understanding, Scout had a wide range understanding and information to learn from. In a way, they could have made a great journey through life, and have lots of courage and strength. But in all actuality, they were people of importance to Scout, that she could look up to and know that they would support her all the way.

Work Cited
Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. New York: Warner Books, Inc., 1960.

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