Atticus Finch Courage In To Kill A Mockingbird

“It is curious that physical courage should be so common in the world and moral courage so rare.” (Mark Twain) In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee there are not many characters that show moral courage. One particular character that shows moral courage is Atticus Finch. This character always does what he believes is right. Atticus shows courage not by being aggressive or killing, but by standing up for what he believed in a sophisticated and determined way. Atticus whose moral courage is

It is rare to find a courageous and sympathetic person who is willing to stand against social injustice. In Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus represents this rare hero. He is a lawyer and a single parent to his kids Jem and Scout. He understands that society should not be black and white and helps those who are mistreated. Not only does Atticus demonstrate acts of courage and empathy, he is also an excellent role model to his children. Atticus represents the qualities of a true hero by exposing injustice, and through courageous and sympathetic activities, teaching his children moral values.

According to Eleanor Roosevelt, “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” (Goodreads). Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, courage is represented by Atticus, Scout, and Boo Radley. In the novel, some of the characters learn a lot about courage. The novel takes place in Maycomb, Alabama during the Great Depression. Throughout the book, many characters have to find courage.

Harper Lee's novel To Kill a Mockingbird was published in the year of 1960, and is one of the few American classic novels awarded the Pulitzer Prize. The racism that is prevalent in many southern American towns in the 1930s is brought to life with profound imagery in To Kill a Mockingbird. There are several characters in the book, yet the true main character is the narrator's father, Atticus Finch. He is a man of great integrity and intelligence. A very heroic figure in more ways than one, Atticus possesses traits like being principled, determined, and, more importantly, he teaches others. When looking at To Kill a Mockingbird, one can see that Lee uses lots of description, dialogue, and actions to portray Atticus as a heroic individual.

Atticus has moral courage when he defends Tom Robinson. Even though people critisize his choice, like when Mrs. Debose says “‘Not only a Finch waiting on tables but one in the courthouse lawing for niggers”’ (Lee 101), Atticus perseveres and defends Tom as well as he would defend a white person. The lionhearted Atticus is willing to defend a black guy, who will likely lose the case, in order to uphold his morals. He also risks his physical health to go protect Tom Robinson at the jailhouse at night. He stands up to an armed mob whose intention is made clear when one guy says, “‘You know what we want… Get aside from the door, Mr. Finch”’ (Lee 151), to which Atticus synonym for courageously replies “‘You can turn around and go on home”” (Lee 151). Atticus puts himsels in mortal peril in order to save Tom Robinson which is remarkably audacious. Despite being an older father, Atticus Finch is by far the bravest character in the book To Kill a Mockingbird.

Another device that assists in portraying courage is through the characterization of one of the main focused characters, which during the whole duration of the novel was flat and static, Atticus Finch. In the narrative, To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus shows many daring moments, as a lawyer and father, he is a role model to not only the coloreds’ in Maycomb community but including the kids, Jem and Scout. To Scout, he speaks to her about fighting all the time because of what people say about him and he tells her a bit of advice, “… You may hear some ugly talk about it at school, but do one thing for me if you will: you just hold your head high and keep those fists down. No matter what anybody says to you, don’t you let ‘em get your goat. Try fighting with your head for a change… it’s a good one, even if it does resist learning.” (76) Since his daughter, Scout, was already hearing so many negative feedback from many people in Maycomb including the kids her age, she had got into it with a classmate of hers, Cecil Jacobs, after verbalizing how Atticus “defends

When we think of the word courage, often times, images of your classic heroes come to mind. Heroes such as masked men and women in caps fighting crime, or a soldier fighting in war, or leaders of change putting their lives on the line for something they believe in. While it is true that these classic heroes show courage, it is not always a hero who is courageous. In the book To Kill a Mockingbird we see an ordinary man named Atticus, living as a lawyer in the south, who is perhaps one of the most courageous characters in literature. Atticus shows courage throughout the book when he takes the case, stands in between Tom and the group of men who want to kill him, and in his closing statements of the trial.

Atticus Finch, a single father of two children, Jem and Scout, shows courage what he stands up for Tom Robinson. For example, people spit harsh words at Atticus after finding out he was defending Tom Robinson in a court case. Cecil Jacobs, a fellow classmate, said to Scout, “My Folks said your daddy is a disgrace an’ that n****** oughta hang from the water-tank!” (102). People around Atticus are not fond of black people, and therefore are opposed to Atticus defending a black man.

Atticus Finch is a peculiar man. While living in Maycomb County, Alabama with his son and daughter, he is a single father as well as a lawyer. Atticus takes the position of being the lawyer of Tom Robinson, a black man. He knows that he will get called cruel names and be told that he is ¨disgracin’ the family¨ (Lee 197), but he defends Tom anyway. Atticus fears that if he doesn't take this job, he will not be able to hold his head up or verbally discipline his children. In the novel, Lee shows that Atticus is willing to give up his current professional and social standing as well as the safety of himself and his children to defend a black man. (Lubet) Atticus has the courage that no other man in his town has. He was able to stand up to his fear as well as defend a black man, which was frowned upon by most, even

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines courage as “mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.” Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird flawlessly fulfills this definition of courage by depicting everyday people carrying out acts of bravery in spite of their dangers, fears, or difficulties. To Kill a Mockingbird centers on Scout Finch and her experiences growing up in a small Alabama town during the Great Depression. Throughout the story, Scout’s wide-eyed view of society changes as she realizes other people’s morals do not coincide with her own ideals. Several variations of courage are shown throughout the book, including Atticus Finch’s defense of Tom Robinson, Mrs. Dubose’s decision to give up morphine, and Boo Radley’s rescue of Jem and Scout.

Courage is "the ability and willingness to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty or intimidation," (Wikipedia). Many people associate courage with conquering someone's fear by fighting, but that is not what real courage is. "Real courage is when you fight for what is right regardless of whether you win or lose," (Atticus Finch). In TKAM, Book Atticus, and Miss Maudie display courage not by fighting, but instead living their lives by their moral codes. Throughout this essay you will discover what makes Boo, Atticus, and Miss Maudie some of the most courageous characters in TKAM.

Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird, shows great courage when he fights a lost battle for Tom Robinson, a black convict. Atticus knows that Tom is suppose to have equal rights in the court, but he know that racism of the jury and judge will probably result in a loss. “Courage to stand up/ For what’s right!/ Courage to stand up/ For the weak!/ Courage to know/ When a battle is lost!” (Hodges). Be Brave by Bree Hodges, gives examples of what you basically need to be brave in life. Standing up for Tom takes courage, because nobody else in Maycomb could or would take the job. The segregation and racism in that area, it makes Tom very weak in society. Atticus knows that Tom is going to lose, but that does not stop him at all from fighting.

Scout was a very curious, mysterious and even a courageous little girl. Scout, when she went to school would consistently during recess be petting up on boys or even help protect her brother. Scout explains, “Don’t you touch him! I kicked the man swiftly. Barefooted, I was surprised to see him fall back in real pain. I intended to kick his shin, but aimed to high.” (Pg. 152) scout had courage when protecting her brother and even when she went to the jailhouse to see what her dad was up to!!

During the 1930s, the southern United States was a hard place to live due to the Great Depression. The south was filled with almost as much poverty as it was racism. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, courage was a very stong theme. A character that strongly represents courage is Atticus Finch, an open-minded man that was ahead of his time.

“Courage- The ability to do something that frightens one. Courage is a very rare trait to find in a person.” There are many types of courage that you can find in a person. If someone has courage, they must be brave. People who have courage, could make a huge difference in the world. Atticus had courage, he was an exceptional lawyer.