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Boo Radley Courage

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What is courage? One of the best-selling novels "To Kill a Mockingbird,” was written by Harper Lee. It is a classic story that occurs in Maycomb, Alabama, with the characters Scout Finch, the main protagonist, and her older brother, Jem. They spend much of their time with Dill and spying on their mysterious neighbor, Boo Radley. When Atticus, the widowed father, and lawyer, defend a black man named Tom Robinson, who has been charged with rape, the trial, and further incidents expose the children to racism and prejudice. The novel includes many major themes like injustice, loss of innocence, hidden identity, but the most significant subject matter would have to be courage. Courage is the quality of mind that allows oneself to be able to a crisis …show more content…

For example, Arthur Radley, as known as Boo, had done so when he had rescued Jem from Bob Ewell, "Hey, Boo" (Lee 274). On this night, he took on a physically fit, knife-wielding man when he could have remained silent behind the walls of the Radley house. Boo risked his life fighting Bob, a decision that ultimately puts his precious privacy at risk. Also, Boo had finally walked out of the protection of his house after so many years, and now he is exposed. When Boo was viewed as a phantom menace who haunted people and ate raw animals, he was feared, and now that he has entered the scary world, he is faced with having to be judged or possibly ridiculed. Even more, facing your fears does not necessarily mean doing something heroic. When Atticus goes to guard the Maycomb jail where Tom is being held a mob comes to the jail seeking to injure Tom. When the mob approaches Atticus, the children, who have been watching, come to Atticus’ side. Scout initiated the charge, but Jem shows bravery when he refuses to leave. Scout stands out as the brave child but she stays because Jem stays (Lee 154). In this scene, the presence of children diffuses the intense situation. The aid of the Scout and Jem was an act of courage going against the mob. These were a group of grown men against three young children and one male adult. It took a vast amount of courage for Jem to go against his father’s words and fo Scour to …show more content…

When Scout’s Uncle Jack joins the family for Christmas, Atticus reveals to his brother on how he came to defend Tom Robinson and his thoughts about it, “... do you think I could face my children otherwise? You know what's going to happen as well as I do, Jack, and I hope and pray I can get Jem and Scout through it without bitterness... I just hope Jem and Scout come to me for their answers instead of listening to the town. I hope they trust me enough…” (Lee 91). Atticus stands up to his neighbors' racism, recognizing the fact that he is jeopardizing himself and his loved ones to troublesome times. Atticus is faced with a dilemma of having to defend this man or deal with the outcome of it. Atticus is aware that defending a black man accused of raping a white woman will make enemies in the town and bring trouble to his family, but he feels that he has little choice in the matter. In addition to having the outcome to be negative, during the court scene, he had defiantly stands up in the court and announces that Tom has never given him a problem. Deas outburst earns the wrath of Judge Taylor whom afterwards orders him to be silent (Lee 199). Leas knows that Tom Robinson is innocent and tries his best to assist Atticus in a way to alter the jury’s mind. Even though he is scolded by the almighty Judge Taylor, he knows that what he says is credible. Although, some acts of courage can lead

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