The True Meaning of Courage

Determining the difference between what is right and what is wrong is an issue for many characters in the novel To Kill A Mockingbird. For Atticus, choosing the right path is a constant problem. He's first faced with defending Tom Robinson which could not only give him trouble, but also cause trouble for his children. The decision to make Jem read to Mrs. Dubose wasn't a great problem for Atticus, because he knew in the long run it would benefit Jem. The most difficult decision between right and wrong for Atticus was when he thought Jem stabbed Bob Ewell, and he was going to allow him to be prosecuted instead of fighting it. This proves that Atticus knew the differences between right and wrong and was going to make no exceptions for it,

Atticus Finch is a character from chapters 1-7 that demonstrates moral courage. Atticus shows moral courage. Atticus shows moral courage because he is an honest man. He often says to his kids to think of something from the others point of view, before someone judges them. “As Atticus had once advised me to do, I tried to climb into Jems skin and walk around in it.” (Page 64 paragraph 1) He always looked for and opportunity to make his children better people. Atticus told Scout to think about what Jem did and imagine herself in that situation. This shows that

The first example of a character displaying the qualities of courage is Atticus Finch. Atticus displays the qualities of courage in all facets of the novel but the first instance was when he accepted the case to defend Tom Robinson. After Scout had heard about her father defending a colored man, she wanted to know why he had taken the case. While talking to Atticus, Scout was intrigued as to why he accepted this case within the circumstances that he was defending a black man against a white woman. Atticus claimed, “Simply

Our world suffers with many issues such as racism, sexism, hate and prejudice, and society needs people that are strong enough to take a stand. In Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, courage is displayed in several different forms, especially through three courageous characters. Lee introduces the concept of honorable courage through Mrs. Dubose, a woman who demonstrates that real courage comes from within. Another brave character in the novel is Tom Robinson. He shows everyone how difficult it is for a black man to be both honest and kind no matter the situation. The most courageous person would be Atticus Finch. Atticus is an important character that fits into his own definition of what "real courage" is and demonstrates it in numerous ways throughout the novel, as he goes against most people’s beliefs in order to do what he believes is morally right. Through these three brave characters, Lee tries to reshape people's stereotypical view of courage.

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.

In To Kill a Mockingbird, one of Atticus Finch’s most significant qualities, courage, impacts the story. Throughout the book, Harper Lee portrays courage as doing something out of your comfort zone, for the greater good or a good cause. The first example shows how Atticus’s quality of courage impacts the story. Atticus is sitting in front of the jail cell where Tom Robinson, the African-American man he is defending, is being kept. When Mr. Cunningham and the rest of his followers confront Atticus, he stays strong, keeps his ground and doesn’t let anything happen to Tom. The interaction starts with Mr. Cunningham approaching Atticus, “He in there, Mr. Finch? He is, and he’s asleep. Don’t wake him up. In obedience to my father. There followed what I later realized was a sickeningly comic aspect of an unfunny situation: the men talked in near-whispers. You know what we want. Get Aside from the door, Mr. Finch. You can turn around and go home, Walter. Heck Tate’s around somewhere.”(171-172) Atticus stops Mr. Cunningham and his men from harming Tom before his trial. It took courage to stand up to men who are usually cordial with him resulting in Tom not being killed and allowing the trial to continue. In the second example, it shows how Atticus’s actions reflect what how Harper Lee believes courage looks like in everybody. Atticus is brought to a tough decision in whether or whether not to defend Tom Robinson. When Scout asks him about the case and why he decided

Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, courage is represented many times. Atticus represents courage when he takes the Tom Robinson case, stands up to Bob Ewell, and when he shoots Tim Johnson. Scout represents courage when she stands up for Walter, punches cousin Francis, and when she breaks up the mob. Boo Radley represents courage when he kills Bob Ewell, saves Scout and Jem, and strokes Jem. Courage is still very important because if we don’t have courage, then we won’t take risks. If we don’t take risks, then we won’t achieve

It took an unimaginable amount of courage for Atticus to take the Tom Robinson case knowing he and his children would be harassed by all the other townspeople. For instance, when “My folks said your daddy was a disgrace an' that nigger oughta hang from the water tank” (105). Also, Atticus knew he had a very low chance of succeeding in winning the case, but he took it anyways. He knows the town will think differently about him solely because he is defending a black man. He also knows that his children will be shown a lot of hatred. Even knowing this, Atticus takes the case and tries his best. Not only did he know he would take hatred, he also knew he would lose. But, he knew this case would define who he was “every lawyer gets at least one case in his lifetime that affects him personally”(96). While talking to the Judge he knows that he will most likely not win, but that does not change his mind. He knows just because Tom Robinson is black that he will not win. The Jury will see the white man who claims his white daughter was raped and believe him with no doubt. No matter what Atticus says to try to change the jury’s mind, he knows he can only try his best. To summarize, Atticus shows courage knowing not only that the town would hate him, but also that he would lose the

A quote to support this is, “Stand in Bob Ewell’s shoes a minute. I destroyed his last shred of credibility… So if spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that's something I'll gladly take. He had to take it out on somebody and I'd rather it be me than that houseful of children out there”(292). Atticus lets Bob Ewell berate him with words and spit to save the Ewell children another beating. He also asks the children to once more stand in the shoes of another, he explains to them that he only meant what he said when he said it. A quote that also shows his courage is, “No one has much a chance to be furtive in Maycomb” (293). This was another part of Atticus’s response to being spat on. Atticus shows his courage here by telling Aunt Alexandra that nothing he does could be a secret in Maycomb because of how fast word and rumor spreads in the town. She was afraid Bob Ewell would attack Atticus again, but Atticus seemed unphased. This is courageous of Atticus because Bob Ewell has a drinking problem and he takes his anger out on his children, and Atticus was glad to take it for the

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

"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.

Atticus is going up against all of the odds. Atticus shows courage through standing up against the standard of society. A black man could have never won against a white man. Atticus knows that the case could harm his reputation as a lawyer and a man, but is courageous enough to attempt to give Tom Robinson justice. As a final point, Atticus shows his courage through raising two children as a single parent. Atticus is what the children look up to. When Heck is trying to prove Bob Ewell fell on his knife, Atticus says this about his kids, “Sometimes I think I’m a total failure as a parent, but I’m all they’ve got. Before Jem looks at anyone else he looks at me, and I’ve tried to live so I can look squarely back at him…” (Lee 273). Atticus tells Heck that raising his kids by himself is hard. He always has to set the perfect example for his children because he wants them to be successful. Atticus has to be courageous at any challenge his kids present him. He is their role model. Atticus shows her courage by being his kids hero, and the perfect father through horrible

Atticus shows courage when he shoots the dog, another way he shows courage is when he defends Tom Robinson, tho he knew he was going to lose. Finally he shows bravery when he doesn’t rebel against the Ewells. Because of these actions, Atticus shows that not everything needs to resolve in violence. Jem shows bravery when when he goes back for his pants even tho he could have been shot.

Atticus is his own definition of brave because he’ll put others before him and he’ll defend anyone the best he can no matter what race. Atticus shows his bravery through his actions all throughout the book. Atticus shows his bravery because he’ll put others before himself in many situations. Examples of this are when he agrees to defend Tom even though he knows he has very slim chances to win the case.

Courage is the quality of mind that enables one to face danger with confidence, resolution, and gain a firm control of oneself. Many of the characters in To Kill a Mockingbird showed courage in their own way. Courage can come in many different forms: physical, mental, emotional and moral. Courage is not the only main theme displayed in To Kill a Mockingbird; prejudice and education are also very important themes exhibited throughout the progression of the novel. Through the eyes of Scout Finch, a bright, sensitive and intelligent little girl, these themes of the novel are explored in great depth.