Summary of 'To Kill a Mockingbird'

Atticus says to Jem that he wants his son “To see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand”. Courage is simply defined as having strength and power when faced with any problem that's frightening. Courageous people show characteristics such as being fearless, daring and bold. Courageousness is expressed greatly throughout “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Atticus and his kids. Although they did show a lot of courage by standing up to those who sought to bring down the Finch name, others in the novel showed courage as well such as Arthur “Boo” Radley, Tom Robinson, and Mrs. Dubose. Atticus was greatly put down by the people of Maycomb because he was defending a black man, Tom Robinson, which

There are countless themes that are in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee, but the themes that stand out most are bravery, stereotyping, and the most essential theme courage. "I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway, and you see it through no matter what."

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 can be shown in many different ways. Some people have a hard time of showing it while others do not. In the book To Kill a Mockingbird courage is shown through the characters of Jem and Atticus. These two characters show their courage in many different ways.

Courage within Atticus is not restrained to his professional life, but also evident in his family life.  It is hard for Atticus to raise his children without a wife, and to face the constant family ridicule.  At one point the reader is convinced Atticus has lost his courage, and has succumbed to the clutched of Aunt Alexandra, her opinions.  However, as the scene progresses the reader is further exposed to the courage of Atticus and his decision to

On Sunday, when Atticus has to leave town, Cal takes Jem and Scout to church. They enter the church, sit down, and listen to the Reverend Skyes speak. He talks about how they will all pray for Tom Robinson and his family while he is at court. Scout asks where the hymn books are, and Cal hushes her. When they sing the hymns Zeebo, Cal’s oldest son, goes up to the front of the church. Since the church doesn’t have any hymn books Zeebo has to memorize them and sing a verse to the crowd, which they repeat back to him. Near the end of church the Reverend says that they do not have enough money to give to Tom Robinson’s family. So he closes the church doors and makes the crowd give up ten more dollars to help.

Atticus demonstrates both definitions of courage in many parts of the novel. Atticus was talking to Scout when he said, “‘Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win’” (Lee 76). This demonstrates Atticus’s own definition of courage because he knows he’s not going to convince the jury that Tom was innocent but he was still going to put his best effort in and fight till the end. Equally important, Atticus shows little acts of courage throughout the

In Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird courage is defined as standing up for what one believes in. Throughout the part one of the book Atticus stands up for what he believes in even though he is heavily criticized. Out of every character introduced so far Atticus has shown by far the most cnjourage. Scout and Jem show courage by trying to communicate with Boo Radley even though all of the terrible rumors.

On August 9, 2014,a young man by the name of Michael Brown was shot and killed by a police officer. It is little known why the shooting occurred, but the boy was unarmed.This could be one of many cases of modern day racism and segregation. In 1930, “even after the abolishment of slavery in 1865, blacks were still almost powerless(BBC 2)”.Blacks were heavily segregated and had almost no rights.Many cases of segregation in the 1930s caused a lot of current day racial tension in the united states.

Both definitions of courage can apply to Atticus because of what he does throughout the novel. Atticus’ own definition is shown when he is explaining to Scout why he has to defend Robinson. Atticus was talking to Scout when he said, “‘Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win’” (Lee 76). Atticus puts forth his best effort even though he knows there is nothing he could do to prove Robinson is innocent, proving how hard Atticus will fight and persevere till the end. Equally important, Atticus shows

People often ask, “what is courage?”. Courage is doing what is right, no matter what the circumstances are. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch shows what real courage is throughout the novel. Real courage is when someone fights for what is right, no matter what the final decision is. Atticus is the perfect person to display real courage. Atticus is a courageous man, honest lawyer, and a great role model for his two kids Scout, formally known as Jean Louise Finch, and Jem, formally known as Jeremy Atticus Finch. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus represents the importance of doing what is right while being courageous.

Atticus shows courage by doing things people don’t want to do. He stepped up to the plate, despite his beliefs, for the good of everyone else. Consequently, he shoots the ‘mad’ dog that was wandering the streets when nobody wants to. The dog was rabid, and frightened the neighbors. In the novel it reads, “In a fog, Jem and I watched our father take the gun and walk out into the middle of the street…Atticus rubbed his eyes and chin we saw him blink hard.” This shows him taking on the task, knowing it was the right thing to do. He started with not wanting to do it himself, but the job was put in his hands. It takes courage to do the things nobody wants to do, and having everyone looking at you to do the right thing.

In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee, there are many different lessons to be learned. The primary theme conveyed in To Kill a Mockingbird is courage. Lee wanted the reader to know that it is important to always be courageous and to stand up for what you believe in not matter what anyone else thinks. I believe Atticus was the courageous character in this book. He himself was a courageous man and he taught others how to be courageous as well. The overall message of the book is to be courageous and not to let anyone or anything stand in the way. Lee conveys the message by using character development and conflict.

“You never understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” Atticus Finch, To Kill A Mockingbird. When I was nine years old my family and I moved from Marshall, Texas to Harleton, Texas. Making this move had a significant impact on my childhood due to the fact that I was taken from the town I had spent the first nine years of my life in only to begin an entirely new life in another town I had never even been to. I was taken from my friends and family, and I was faced with having to adjust to a whole new world. I didn’t realize it at the time, but this move and the experiences I would have would shape my life and make me the person that I am today.