Atticus simply replies: "If I didn't, I couldn't hold up my head in town, I couldn't represent this county in the legislature, I couldn't even tell you or Jem not to do something again" (Lee 75). Truth and justice is how Atticus understood who he was, both personally and as a citizen of Maycomb. By not fighting for the truth would have caused him to lose his grasp on who he was, to lose control of himself, to suffer personal disintegration, and to lose his way among the people with whom he lived. It is a matter of honor to Atticus to defend Tom, even though, he is sure that the case is hopelessly lost before he begins. Clearly, the prejudices of the southern town will never allow justice to be done. However, Atticus is determined to have the truth be told so that those who convict Tom will be aware of their sinful act of convicting an innocent man. Hence, Atticus's tragic flaw is that he is one of the only few of Maycomb who was truthful, compassionate, and righteous; the standards of this inhumane society makes Atticus an outsider as he struggles continuously to put an end to the prejudiced feelings held by many of the people of Maycomb. .
Similarly, John Proctor, from Arthur Miller's play, The Crucible, is also a quintessential modern tragic hero. As Miller reveals, the Puritan authorities, during the Salem Witch Trials, had abandoned all reason and logic. The society was in complete chaos as the lives of many innocent people were taken. However, among them, was an honest, dignified, and accountable farmer, John Proctor, who remained true to himself and his morals in the midst of this hysteria. It is revealed in the play that John Proctor, at one time, did have an affair with Abigail Williams, the former servant girl for his household. Nonetheless, the guilt of his actions forces him to eventually admit his sins to his beloved wife, Elizabeth Proctor. Such action by John demonstrates his love for his wife as well as his strong sense of being right and wrong.
