Question

What are two examples that show how Tom Robinson is a hero in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Accepted Answer

One example in To Kill a Mockingbird that shows Tom Robinson as a hero is the integrity he conveyed in the face of adversity. Another example is his attempted escape of prison, where Tom aimed to achieve freedom with his own hands.

Answer

Tom Robinson can be considered a hero for demonstrating courage, integrity, and composure during his trial and valiantly fighting for his freedom in front of a racist jury and audience. When Tom Robinson takes the witness stand, he bravely recalls the events that transpired on the evening of November 21st without omitting any details and honestly describing the situation. Tom understands that he has a very slim chance of winning the case, but proceeds to plead not guilty as he reveals the difficult truth. As a black man living in the segregated South, Tom's testimony is heroic. Tom not only describes his reaction to Mayella's advances, but speaks his mind when he tells Mr. Gilmer,

"I felt right sorry for her, she seemed to try more’n the rest of ‘em—" (Lee, 105).

Although Tom immediately regrets telling the prosecuting attorney that he pities Mayella, his comment reflects his honesty, integrity, and courage. Tom accepts the fact that he is under a microscope and is attempting to challenge Maycomb's longstanding prejudiced justice system, which is a heroic endeavor. Essentially, Tom is doing something that no black man has ever done in Maycomb, which is to challenge the racist court system and champion racial equality.
In addition to Tom heroically testifying in front of Maycomb's prejudiced jury and audience, one could argue that Tom's attempt to escape from the Enfield Prison Farm was also heroic. Following his wrongful conviction, Tom recognized the influence of the court's prejudice and was not willing to take the chance of appealing. In chapter 24, Atticus tells his sister,

"I guess Tom was tired of white men’s chances and preferred to take his own" (Lee, 125).

By acknowledging the fact that he would more than likely lose his appeal, Tom heroically takes his fate into his own hands by attempting to escape. Tom's decision to risk his life and climb the prison's fence reveals his courage and determination. He was not willing to allow another corrupt court to impact his life and decided to exercise his agency by taking matters into his own hands. Tragically, Tom is shot seventeen times and dies fighting for his freedom.

Answer

A hero is someone who faces danger with courage. This is certainly Tom Robinson. Tom is part of a marginalized group. The moment he is accused of raping a white woman, he has to know there is little chance anyone will be willing to believe he is innocent. However, instead of confessing to a crime he did not commit in the hopes of a lesser sentence, he protests his innocence. He is interested in his personal integrity more than his own self-preservation. His conduct throughout the trial is heroic, since even though he is treated with contempt and accused of lying, he remains calm and collected, his manner a slap in the face to the white jurors and lawyers who think black men are inherently dishonest, fearsome, and violent.
Another thing that makes Tom heroic is his escape attempt after he is convicted. While the white townspeople interpret this as an admission of guilt and validation of the stereotype of the cowardly black man, Tom is actually doing a brave thing because he is taking his fate into his own hands. He will never be able to go back to his family. If his wife and children go with him, he will endanger them as well. Had Tom not been killed, his escape would have meant exile from everything he knew and loved, but he would have been free. That is a brave course of action to take, an open defiance of those who expect the black population to lie down and take the injustices heaped upon them.

Answer

A hero is not always someone who saves another person from death or injury. A hero can be someone who demonstrates courage while facing the worst possible odds. This is Tom Robinson. Just the fact that Tom decides to face an all-white judicial system, and testify against a white woman, is bravery beyond belief for the time period. He could have easily given up by confessing to something he didn't do, with the hopes that they'd let him off with a life sentence rather than death, but he didn't. All during the trial, too, Tom never loses his temper. He always conducts himself with pride, dignity, humility and grace.
One way Tom demonstrates his heroic qualities is when he testifies about how he handled Mayella Ewell's advances. Atticus asks Tom, "Did you resist her advances?" Tom responds by saying the following:

"Mr. Finch, I tried. I tried to 'thout bein' ugly to her. I didn't wanta be ugly, I didn't wanta push her or nothin'" (195).

The whole time Mayella Ewell is doing something horrible, Tom is thinking about treating her right and not hurting her. That is heroic. Mayella could have cared less for Tom because she was chasing him for herself, not out of love or anything honorable. Tom, on the other hand, specifically thought of not hurting her in the process of running away.
Tom's next demonstration of courage is found as he faces the prosecution's questions during cross-examination. Mr. Gilmer's tone of voice is rude and condescending the whole time. It gets worse when Tom says that he felt sorry for Mayella and that's why he always helped her out. Mr. Gilmer also corners Tom by asking, "Then you say she's lying, boy?" This is very intimidating with an antagonistic attorney staring him down and a full courtroom waiting to hear what Tom has to say. Tom keeps his cool, though and says, "I don't say she's lyin', Mr. Gilmer, I say she's mistaken in her mind" (197). So, instead of verifying that she is lying, Tom courteously spins his answer to suggest that she just has a different understanding of the situation than he does. This shows that Tom has complete control over his emotions and temper. He is always calm, cool, and collected. He is nervous and intimidated, but he doesn't back down; he doesn't change his testimony; and, he remains strong through the whole trial.

To Kill a Mockingbird

What are two examples that show how Tom Robinson is a hero in To Kill a Mockingbird?

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