When Does Atticus Show Courage

“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

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

Courage, as defined by Collins Dictionary, is “the quality shown by someone who decides to do something difficult or dangerous, even though they may be afraid”. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee has created many characters who exhibit such courage, even in the face of adversity, and develops this into a major theme. Atticus Finch, Arthur Radley, and other members of the Finch household and Maycomb community, display amazing courage in the things they say, but more importantly in the way they act. These characters all contribute to the novel’s theme of showing courage through adversity.

In the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee gives us the character Atticus Finch to give us an example of what courage is through symbolism, pathos, and irony. In this analysis I will talk about about how Atticus’s actions and words all seem to try to teach us something, and that something is courage. We can see the biggest example of Atticus’s courage when he has to talk about Tom Robinson’s case or when he talked to the kids about what Mrs. Dubose was trying to do before her death. Atticus’s courage is the type that allows him to do what he thinks is right even if people don’t agree with him or if it seems hopeless to try. Atticus is also seen trying to pass down his courage and wisdom to his kids throughout the story.

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

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.

First off, Atticus shows courage when he shot a sick dog named Tim Johnson. A quote that proves this is, “Jem and I watched our father take the gun and walk out into the middle of the street quickly”(127). Atticus shows courage in this situation by killing an animal that was a danger to the people of Maycomb. He also had not fired a rifle in 30 years. Atticus showed courage by acting in a way that was not comfortable to him. Tim Johnson

Throughout the novel there are many characters who show that they have courage. Atticus Finch teaches

A significant representation of courage is seen within Atticus.  Within To Kill A Mockingbird Atticus speaks of the Tom Robinson trial as a trial all lawyers fear.  He must face a court case that will have a profound personal effect upon himself and his family.  Atticus summons the courage to recognize that there is a need for justice and that it is his duty to achieve this.  Maycomb is a town tainted with stereotypes and racism.  Atticus has the courage to overcome the fear of other peoples' dislike.  He must face the fear of straining the lives of his two young children and family name.  The courage Atticus embodies stems from his "satisfactory" character.  Atticus is righteous and unable to turn his back on those who truly rely upon his ability to show empathy.  He overcomes the heartless comments of those around them, to see the necessity of his involvement.

In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, courage can be found in every chapter and on almost every page of this book. Virtually every character in this book posses courageous qualities. In this novel, the Finches' are just a few of the people who endure harsh blows over about a three year period. However, each and every one of them step up to the plate with courage ready to strike. Atticus especially shows courage when he agrees to defend Tom Robinson. Atticus did not have to take this case, and everything that accompanies it. However, Atticus wanted to prove that being prejudice and racist is undoubtfully wrong. To try and convey this message was a difficult take to preform, but Atticus wanted the people of Maycomb to understand why he felt this way. Another charater who clearly shows courage is Boo Radley. Boo Radley was the person who killed Bob Ewell. Boo Radley did this because Bob Ewell was trying to kill Jem and Scout. Boo Radley, beyond a shadow of doubt, walked into that situation

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.

Bravery and cowardice are both significant to the overall development of To Kill a Mockingbird and the characters that it consists of. There were many brave characters in the novel that did a variety of things to display bravery and courage. Similarly there were also a couple of characters who showed cowardice in ways that would disgust readers. Mrs. Dubose Lafayette and Atticus Finch were two of the bravest characters in the book, while Mr. Bob Ewell was the biggest coward of the book.

In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, a character by the name of Atticus Finch explains to his child “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. You rarely win, but sometimes you do.” (128). Atticus is teaching his son an important lesson about courage, while using his own to take on a seemingly impossible task.

In the book To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, courage is displayed in many different forms. Most people think of courage as fighting in a war and risking your life. However, courage can mean many different things, as it does in this award winning novel. There is a point in the book where Atticus is talking to Jem about courage. Atticus starts saying 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.”[pg.149]. Atticus is trying to tell Jem that there are many different kinds of courage. Courage is shown in this novel as doing something you would rather not do or something that takes risk. Scout had to show courage on her first day of school, Jem had to show courage to go get his pants from the fence when he was running from the Radley house, and there are many more instances.

The word courage may conjure up the typical images of soldiers fighting a war or firefighters saving houses. While these are courageous acts, they represent merely one type of courage. In To Kill A Mockingbird Harper Lee showcases an alternative type of courage, moral courage, through two main characters and their selfless but righteous actions. Throughout the book, Atticus is illustrated as a compassionate and intellectual man, withholding high standards and morals.