Imagine yourself doing something that was completely unspeakable in your society. What if I told you that it’s something that boils down to a concept as simple as black and white? Racial injustice is the biggest issue faced throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Atticus Finch has been implicated many times and through these many events we see his moral and ethical character manifest. For this reason, Atticus is indeed a hero to a modern audience because he demonstrates an approach to situations that would improve society. Not only does he express this by sticking to his conscience and his morals; but Atticus also shows courage and puts himself and his reputation at risk in order to achieve the results he wishes to achieve. Like many famous activists, Atticus Finch sticks above all to his conscience and his morals. If we consider those who did such a thing, like Martin Luther King Jr., Gandhi, and even Nelson Mandela, as heroes for doing what they did to improve the lives of everyone around them; so why should Atticus Finch be any different? There are many instances in which we can consider Mr. Finch in context. A major proof of this phenomenon is the moment when Atticus speaks to his daughter, Scout. Meanwhile the young girl asks her father why he defends Tom Robinson if it is completely against social norms. “If you shouldn’t defend him, then why are you doing it?” “For a number of reasons,” Atticus said. "The bottom line is, if I didn't do it, I couldn't hold my head up in town, I couldn't represent this county in the Legislature, I couldn't even tell you or Jem, to stop doing something." (Lee, 100-101) Although Atticus is fully aware of the truth that he will ask... middle of paper... his racial question, he is not aware of the civil rights activists who arrive in the world. South while Lee was writing his novel. From this we can conclude that, like Folsom, who was a politician fighting for civil rights at the time of this novel, Atticus fought for the overall equality of all people, regardless of the color of their skin. This overall improved their society, making them both heroes in that aspect. To conclude, Atticus should be considered a hero to a modern audience. Not only does Atticus stay true to his morals and ethics throughout the novel, but he also stands up for what he believes in despite all the ramifications. These, along with other aspects of Atticus and his personality, constitute the best choice for the title of hero. Much like what Atticus believes in, the controversy over his heroism is as simple as black and white; he is actually heroic class.