Atticus Finch-Romeo Dallaire : Heroes

Atticus Finch-Romeo Dallaire : Heroes

  • Submitted By: geogew
  • Date Submitted: 10/01/2013 9:21 PM
  • Category: English
  • Words: 983
  • Page: 4
  • Views: 100

Being a hero involves not only courage, noble deeds, and outstanding achievements, but also the bravery to make a difference and a heart full of love. Atticus Finch, one of the main characters in the book “To Kill A Mockingbird” displayed acts of heroism when trying to defend Tom Robinson, who was wrongly convicted of rape just because he was African-American. Another excellent example of heroism is found with General Romeo Dallaire, who defended the Tutsi people with his life when the Hutu people went on a mass genocide in Rwanda in 1994. A hero stands up for what they believe is right, no matter the outcome or the consequences.

Atticus Finch, Scout’s father in “To Kill A Mockingbird” is a hero because he had the courage to defend someone who was helpless in a society full of racism. To defend a black man in court during this time period was extremely dangerous. While Atticus could have looked the other way and saved himself from a very stressing and physically dangerous situation, he chose to help Tom and tried to prevented a major injustice. He obviously didn’t agree with the injustice that was directed to Tom, only because he was black. Atticus said to Jem, “There's a lot of ugly things in this world, son. I wish I could keep 'em all away from you. That's never possible."Atticus has an extreme amount of courage to stand up for what is right all while being ridiculed by his friends. Atticus said, "I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do. Mrs Dubose won, all ninety-eight pounds of her. According to her views, she died beholden to nothing and nobody. She was the bravest person I ever knew.” It takes not only a courageous man to do what Atticus did, but also a wise and honourable man.

Romeo Dallaire is a now retired Canadian General. In...

Similar Essays