Courage In To Kill A Mockingbird

Atticus shows true courage by defending Tom Robinson, a black man charged with the rape of a white woman. Atticus continues to fight for justice despite knowing he can’t win the case because he is

"I wanted to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun." What kinds of heroism and courage are shown in To Kill a Mockingbird? Discuss.

The word “courage” has many definitions. Some people say that courage is being able to face one's own fears, while others say that courage is a person with a strong heart. Harper Lee exhibits true courage as standing up for what one believes in even when it signifies imperilling something precious.

Ms. Dubose is shown to be a significant character that displays the power of inner strength. She is a morphine addict that through Jem’s reading, successfully manages to combat this addiction. For a long time she has faced the world sick and alone, but what makes her a courageous person is her ability to recognize her weakness and even more to do something about it. Even though she knows she is dying soon, she neglects her own

Atticus is courageous for defending a black man accused of rape,Tom Robinson, against a white women ,Mayella Ewell, Bob Ewell’s daughter, in a predjest community and be ridiculed by people in his community, friends and family included. Atticus has the courage to stand up for what he believes in and takes ridicule from people in his community to defend Tom Robinson even when he knows he will lose the case. Atticus says to uncle Jack ”’It couldn’t be worst, Jack. The only we’ve got is a black mans words against the Ewells’. The evidence boils down the you did it-I didnt. The jury couldn’t possibly be expected to take Tom Robinson's word against the Ewells…’’’. This shows Atticus is courageous because he knows people are angry and saying he is wrong and he still stands up for what he believes in and defends Tom Robinson when he knows he's losing the case in the end. Atticus is courageous for standing up for what he believes is

Atticus Finch is remarkably courageous throughout the novel. Atticus does not retaliate when Bob Ewell spits in his face, goes to Tom’s cell knowing there would be a mob, and does his best in court to exonerate Tom. Firstly, Atticus does not retaliate when Bob Ewell spits in his face. Atticus says “ ‘...if spitting in my face saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that’s something I’ll gladly take’ ” (Lee 218). Atticus is being disrespected in one of the worst ways by a man he could destroy, but knows that he was helping a victim of abuse, Mayella, so he does not make things worse by retaliating. Secondly, Atticus knows there is a mob coming, but nevertheless goes to Tom Robinson’s cell to defend him. Atticus knows the possibly dangerous mob is coming, with Scout observing “He seemed to be expecting them” (150). However, Atticus recognizes that he is Tom’s only hope, and utilizes his immense courage to face the mob. Thirdly, Atticus does his best to defend Tom in court. As Scout tells us, “Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed” (241). Atticus knows from the beginning he has next to no chance to win the trial, but still tries for Tom’s sake, for the other black people in the community, and for the chance he could appeal it and change laws for the good of African Americans. Atticus is an amazing example of courage in the face of adversity for his actions in To Kill A Mockingbird.

Moreover, every other character in the story can be said to have courage, especially Atticus. The book revolves around Atticus and how he has no fear to defend a black man. Atticus is a lawyer that always had justice and never accepts injustice. He defends a black man named “Tom Robinson” who is accused of rapping a white girl whose own father had infact raped. “I’m simply defending a negro his name’s Tom Robinson” “The main one is, if I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this country in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again” (Lee,100). These quotes show that Atticus is not afraid and is brave enough to hold his head up in town even if he defended Tom, an inferior in their society. It also shows how well educated and mature he is that he even connects his job to his kids and he always tries to be good to be the best in his kids’ eyes. He wanted his kids to get along with other people and for them to learn courage from them like Mrs. Dubose, for example.

Courage is shown by different characters in varying ways throughout the novel. These characters are Jem, Boo Radley, Mrs. Dubose and Atticus. Jem shows a small amount of courage when Atticus decides to face a lynch mob. Jem understands who they are and what they want to do, but he still refuses to go home and remains to defend his father. Boo Radley also shows courage by putting all his fears of the outside world behind him to save Jem and Scout's lives.

Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is a timeless novel that has been both accepted and refused by many readers. To Kill a Mockingbird took place is a town called Maycomb. It is narrated by a young girl named Jean Louise Finch, otherwise known as Scout, who learns how to deal with many things in her life. While learning to deal with racism, injustice, and criticism, she also finds courage being showed by many of her role models. The theme courage is best depicted through Boo Radley, Scout and Atticus.

"Courage isn't an absence of fear. It's doing what you are afraid to do. It's having the power to let go of the familiar and forge ahead into new territory." ~John Maxwell. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout (Jean Louise Finch), Jem (Jeremy Atticus Finch), and Atticus Finch display acts of valor that contribute, and in some cases encourage their rectitude. Harper Lee demonstrates that acting courageously can lead to an improved, sustained, or newly developed personal integrity.

In the 1980s, the majority of the people living in the South had very conservative and prejudiced views. During this period, Jim Crow Laws made society very segregated. Public facilities were usually divided by “Whites Only” and “Colored” signs that were designed to make African Americans feel sub-human. African Americans had to live in poorer areas of a town and most could not go to school. Few Caucasians were openly sympathetic towards them out of the fear of getting rejected by society. Supporters of equality risked their reputation and sometimes their lives. Therefore, people who challenged segregation had to be extremely courageous. In To Kill a Mockingbird, which character displayed the most courage? The evidence gathered from the story indicates that Atticus Finch was the most courageous character.

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen”, Winston Churchill. Courage is shown within the characters of To Kill A Mockingbird in several situations. In this novel, the characters are willing to face danger without letting fear get in the way. The courage they present builds up their strength to continue towards their goal. Atticus, Scout and Mrs. Dubose define what courage is meant to be through the challenges they face.

Mrs. Dubose displays acts of personal courage in her honesty and strength. When Jem and Scout walk past her house to go meet Atticus on his way home,

Courage is when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what" (149). According to Atticus Finch, a character in the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, true courage does not mean the ability to overcome fear, but to fight for what is right regardless of the result. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, the author tells a story of a woman fighting against her addiction. In another, the War of the Wall by Toni Cade Bambara, is also about a woman, except she is mourning for her cousin, and the poem, Caged Bird by Maya Angelou, is about one who feels caged by society’s standards. In these stories, the authors uses symbolism and characterization to express the theme that true courage is standing up for

In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, courage is shown; examples from my personal life are when I drove and went ziplining for the first time; examples from the news are when a man saved kids from a burning building and when a dog saved a woman’s life. When I was twelve I decided I wanted to learn how to drive. My dad threw me the keys and took me driving in my neighborhood. I could barely see over the wheel. Another time I showed courage was when I went ziplining for the first time.