Everyday Heroes, on To Kill a Mockinbird

What kind of reasons would inspire someone to give up their time, talent, and treasure for another individual hardly known to them? Why would anyone risk his or her occupation, social standing, and prestige, to stand up for a single moral belief in justice? This value of individualism is extremely rare in society. Harper Lee's novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, paints a very real picture of this value in the character Atticus Finch. Atticus relinquishes …

…peace efforts with replacing violence with negotiation, or Pope John II, who forgave the very person who tried to kill him for standing up for what he feels is right. Even everyday people who step up against a wrong can take on Atticus' attributes. When a person relinquishes their base desires to be self-centered and partial, they too can begin to care about others, and possess some of Atticus' morality and decency toward all mankind.