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Examples Of Leadership In To Kill A Mockingbird

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Leadership As the esteemed writer John Updike once said “A leader is one who out of madness or goodness volunteers to take upon himself the woe of the people”. Many great pieces of literature illustrate the numerous qualifying factors of effective and inspiring leadership. Some examples can be found in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, and Doug Stanton’s In Harm’s Way. The characters in these novels and play exhibit courage, strength, determination and morality to teach, inspire, and encourage those around them. The qualities of integrity, empathy, and the many aspects of morality are reiterated throughout Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus Finch, a man who possesses all of these attributes, is a prime example of a great leader: showing integrity through prominent rectitude in his daily life. Risking his reputation and safety, Atticus defends a black …show more content…

Lewis Haynes, a Catholic surgeon for the USS Indianapolis from the nonfiction novel In Harm’s Way, is another grand example of a strong leader. After the sinking of the USS Indianapolis, Dr. Haynes took many of the stranded, wounded and dying men under his wing. Taking care of the men while trying to survive himself, he displays great courage and fortitude in such demanding times. Swimming around and checking on all of the boys who seemed to be on their last leg was Dr. Haynes new job. When the sad news was announced over one of the crew member’s death, Dr. Haynes would refuse put the boy to rest without saying a quick prayer - “Still, he was determined not let any corpse rest without praying over them” (Stanton 201). He collected all of the dog tags of the dead men and kept them so that if he lived, they could be recognized for the great price they paid. Dr. Lewis Haynes was a courageous man who did the right thing by sending the dead on and by supplying the living with hope of survival. He did what he knew was right and kept his head up in times of great

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