Melissa Ann Goodwin

Melissa Ann Goodwin

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

PART TWO: KILLER CHARACTERS BLOGFEST

This week I'm taking part in the

KILLER CHARACTERS BLOGFEST


It's the brainchild of delightful bloggers Deana Barnhart and E. R. King. You can pop on over to their blogs to get the list of other participants and read their posts.

Today, our assignment is to present our FAVORITE PROTAGONIST from literature.

This was a pretty easy one for me ... it's ...



Gregory Peck! Oh no, WAIT! I mean, ATTICUS FINCH!

It's easy to see why I'd get confused though, because when the Pulitzer Prize winning book, To Kill a Mockingbird, was made into a movie, Gregory Peck became Atticus Finch as much as any actor can inhabit a role. Even the book's author, Harper Lee,  was so moved by Peck's performance in the role of Atticus,that she gave him her father's pocketwatch.

Here are my reasons for choosing Atticus Finch as Greatest Protagonist in Literature:


Atticus Finch is the quiet-spoken attorney who is appointed to defend a black man against a charge of rape in Depression-era Alabama. Atticus is a widower, raising his son, Jem, and his daughter, Scout. Despite antagonism and aggression from the people in his town, Atticus firmly stands his ground and ultimately proves the defendant's innocence. But the racial situation of the times is such that the man is found guilty anyway. Throughout the trial and its aftermath, Atticus Finch's moral compass never wavers and his behavior sets the hightest standard for integrity.

Atticus Finch is a quiet hero, willing to stand up for what is right,
no matter the opposition,
no matter that it would be so much easier not to.

He sets the example for his children through his actions and his simple words,
such as,
"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view ...  until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it."
and
"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." 


My Man, Atticus Finch
from
To Kill a Mockingbird
by
Harper Lee

17 comments:

  1. Melissa, I truly got goose-bumps reading this. I wholeheartedly agree with you!!

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  2. I love Atticus. I wish there were more of him in this world. Great post.

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  3. I always get a dreamy look in my eye when I think of Atticus Finch. He's the best dad on the planet, plus he fights for people's rights. He stole my heart forever. Great choice!

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  4. Atticus really did teach me alot about the world around me. How to look at it in a different light. I'm ashamed to say I've never seen Gregory play Atticus. Perhaps I will see if I can find it.

    Great Job!

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  5. Thanks everyone - Atticus-Peck is truly a wonderful character played by a wonderful actor - can't imagine anyone else in the role. Jenny - you MUST see it. To Kill a Mockingbird gets my vote for both Best Book Ever Written and Best Movie.

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  6. Oh what a fabulous choice, and post!! I totally love Gregory Peck, and Atticus is such an amazing character. Wonderful post, I really enjoyed reading it. :)

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  7. This is an awesome choice. Very wonderful Antagonist. What a great post this is about him. I love it.

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  8. Amazing choice. There should be more like him in the world.

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  9. Thanks Abby and Nicolle. I love this challenge - can't wait for Antagonist on Friday!

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  10. superb choice! meaningful story! excellent writing!

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  11. Ooo, he's a good one

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  12. Great choice, and great post!

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  13. What a wonderful tribute to our man Attucus! I love him, the book and the movie!

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  14. WOuld you believe I've never seen or read it? I really need to. Thanks for reminding me to move it up on my list! He sounds amazing!

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  15. Pk, you must you must you must. He is a true hero. And it's a wonderful, wonderful book.

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