Atticus is a hero because he takes Tom Robinson's case, stands for what is right even when opposition tried to bring him down and he taught his children valuable lessons.
In Hollywood's top one hundred count down of the best heroes and villains
Atticus Fitch made #1.
He represented the citizens in his jurisdiction expecting only what restitution they could make.
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I am not sure what story you are thinking of, but Hero in Much Ado About Nothing is not much of a hero. In fact, she'd be a heroine if she were heroic, which she isn't. She's a bit of a doormat...