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How Does Lee Show Courage In To Kill A Mockingbird

Decent Essays

"To Kill a Mockingbird", is a story that focuses on saving the innocent. Also, it presents poverty and racial tensions within the

town. The story focuses on the Finch family; father and lawyer Atticus, tom-boy daughter Scout, and pre-teen son Jem. The

author, Harper Lee defines courage in part one mostly through the Finch family. Atticus defends an accused colored man in court,

Scout defends her father against critics, and Jem shows bravery while up against the terrifying Radley place. These situations

will clearly explain, how these major characters showed courage in pressure moments. These characters showed their courage

through bravery and standing up against their own community.

Let's first mention, Atticus, who …show more content…

This is a dangerous case for Atticus to take, while he knows Robinson was accused

of rape and assault by a white woman. No other white lawyer or attorney had the courage to take the case, causing Atticus to be

asked many questions of WHY? For example, Scout asked Atticus and he responded, “For a number of reasons. The main one is,

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.” This shows that Atticus would never forgive himself if he didn't take the case, because of a man's

skin color. Also, it shows that even though Tom is black, Atticus truly believes in the innocent, no matter what color they are.

To add on, Scout showed her courageous attitude, through mental toughness and self-control. Scout takes the insults of her

racist classmate, because of her dad's defense for Tom Robinson. Scout's classmate Cecil Jacobs said in the story, "My folks said

your daddy is a disgrace an that nigger oughta hang from a water-tank!" Cecil's words hurt Scout, by him degrading Atticus's

made her extremely upset. By, Scout being such a "hot-headed" girl, her dropping her fist and leaving the fight showed …show more content…

At last, we come to the brother, Jem Finch. Jem took a trip to the haunted house of Maycomb, the Radley place. Jem and his

pal, Dill Baker, one day plan to try to sneak a peek through the loose window shutter. As soon as they see a shadow of a man and

hear a gunshot they ran off, Dill scared to death and Jem loosing his pants to get free. When he returned home, Atticus wondered

where his pants were. Then, Dill adds that he won Jem's pants in a game of strip poker, which Atticus thinks is bizarre. Later that

night, Jem seeks the courage to sneak out to the "haunted" Radley place alone, so he wouldn't have to explain to Atticus WHERE

he had lost the pants, knowing Atticus had said don't go back there. Although, he knew it was dangerous to go, Jem went back

because the courage to go there, was easier to him, then telling Atticus he had let him down..

In conclusion, these three main characters were the focus of "To Kill a Mockingbird" part one, acting with bravery and courage.

Atticus breaks the "race barrier" in the town of Maycomb. Him defending a black man, shows his courage in the racist

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