In the book To Kill A Mockingbird shows us a theme of Courage . In the book To Kill A Mockingbird told through the eyes of Scout shows us life in Maycomb back in the 1930’s. When Tom Robinson was accused of raping a white woman named Mayella causing a lot of events in which the characters had to show courage in some shape or form to help the society become a whole. Atticus, Boo Radley and Jem show courage and created positive a change in their society. Atticus showed courage and to created and positive a change in their society when he was willing to stand up for Tom Robinson. He was willing to stand up for Tom because he wanted to show truth and that what they were doing was wrong. Atticus was a man of his word and was well respected in Maycomb and he was willing to give that up to bring justice and to prove that Tom Robinson was an innocent african american who just wanted is to be with his family. He told scout “you just hold your head high and keep those fists down. No matter what anybody says to you, don’t you let ‘em get your goat. Try fighting with your head for a change…it’s a good one, even if it does resist learning."(Atticus chapter 11)Atticus should that he knows what is coming his way and told Scout that no matter what they say don’t let it get into your head because he knows what he is standing up for people …show more content…
Boo Radley portrays the mockingbird he is a selfless person who doesn't harm people but help them just like a mocking bird. He is respectful person who cares about others but society makes him the villain of Maycomb yes he has done something bad things but that is just one dirty spot on a whole carpet. People like to change things about someone over just one bad thing they have done. Scout found this out when she was saved by Boo radley he went out of his house and killed the man who was try to
Atticus shows true courage by trying every way to help others who were in the need of it. First of all, it is courageous of Atticus to take the Tom Robinson case. Even his own family disagreed of taking the case because of the bias. He takes many risks when taking the Tom Robinson case. He risks the chance of critization by the people that live in the Maycomb County. Mrs. Dubose criticizes him when she said, “Atticus is a Nigger lover!’’ (100). With many prejudice people living in Maycomb County Atticus also risks the chance of not being re-elected for legislature. Secondly, it is
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.
According to Eleanor Roosevelt, “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” (Goodreads). Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, courage is represented by Atticus, Scout, and Boo Radley. In the novel, some of the characters learn a lot about courage. The novel takes place in Maycomb, Alabama during the Great Depression. Throughout the book, many characters have to find courage.
Atticus is one of the most bravest people in Maycomb. He shows true courage by defending Tom Robinson based on the principle of right and wrong. For example, on page 88, he says, “ It couldn't be worse, Jack. The only thing we've got is a black mans word against the Ewells”. At this moment Atticus explains to his brother Jack, why he had to defend Tom Robinson. Atticus influences his children by being brave enough to defend a black man. Atticus was getting ready to the next trial, by telling uncle Jack that the trial essentially boils down to Bob and Mayella's words against Tom Robinson testimony. Later Atticus shows true bravery by “ Standing outside of Tom robinson's cell, knowing that the men from the town will show up trying to kill
In 1960, Harper Lee published a novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, which was one of the most controversial novels of its time. Atticus Finch, the father of a young boy and girl, Scout and Jem, possesses a variety of character traits and the people of Maycomb respect him for them. Atticus is a very upright person who is always willing to help and give advice. Many people of Maycomb look up to him and he is highly respected in his community. Atticus was a lawyer that was appointed to defend a black man, Tom Robinson.
Another device that assists in portraying courage is through the characterization of one of the main focused characters, which during the whole duration of the novel was flat and static, Atticus Finch. In the narrative, To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus shows many daring moments, as a lawyer and father, he is a role model to not only the coloreds’ in Maycomb community but including the kids, Jem and Scout. To Scout, he speaks to her about fighting all the time because of what people say about him and he tells her a bit of advice, “… You may hear some ugly talk about it at school, but do one thing for me if you will: you just hold your head high and keep those fists down. No matter what anybody says to you, don’t you let ‘em get your goat. Try fighting with your head for a change… it’s a good one, even if it does resist learning.” (76) Since his daughter, Scout, was already hearing so many negative feedback from many people in Maycomb including the kids her age, she had got into it with a classmate of hers, Cecil Jacobs, after verbalizing how Atticus “defends
Citizens in Maycomb show heroism and the good in themselves by helping others. Atticus is doing the good by defending Tom Robinson when most were against him. Scout asks him why he is on Tom’s side, and he replies, “I’m simply defending a Negro- his name’s Tom Robinson. He lives in that little settlement beyond the town dump. He’s a member of Calpurnia’s church, and Cal knows his family well. She says they’re clean-living folks.”(Lee, 100) Atticus believes that everyone is created equal and that everyone deserves a chance. People were making fun of his family because it was not normal in this time to do this. Atticus showed courage and hope when he stood up for Tom Robinson.
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.
Courage is the ability to persevere with determination and bravery even when fear is present. Atticus Finch, a protagonist in To Kill Mockingbird, is a character that the most shows courage throughout the book. He exhibits courage by doing and saying what others don’t what to. He does what’s right despite others going against it or saying it’s wrong. In his town, he’s surrounded by wrong and bad morals, but still sticks to his own morals and decisions.
To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, is a fictional novel that was published in the 1960’s. It tells the tale of a young girl named Scout, and her family who live in Alabama in the 1930’s where blacks still do not have equal rights. A black man is on trial for the supposed rape of a young lady, Mayella Ewell, and one courageous lawyer, Atticus Finch, the father of Scout, decides to prove his innocence even though the odds are stacked against him. In the novel courage is defined by a quote that states, “It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyways and you see it through no matter what…” (Lee, 149).
“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,” (Lee 149). In To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, many characters portray courage in the small Alabaman town of Maycomb. The town itself is constructed to be a place for courage to take place; many people follow along with the social norms of judgement and discrimination. But, people such as Jem, Atticus, and Scout all portray courage over the course of the novel by facing hardship.
Atticus Finch shows moral courage because he is defending an African American because he knows it’s the right thing to do. Atticus is standing up for what he believes in while the majority of the town is against him. In the book Atticus says “but there’s been some high talk around town to the effect that I shouldn’t do much about defending a black man. (Pg. 26 Chapter 9) This evidence shows that citizens of Maycomb do not agree with Atticus. Most people in his town are racist, so they believe African Americans should be treated unfairly. Atticus believes that all people should be treated fair and as equals. He does the job that is needed that others refuse to do. Atticus shows moral courage because he does exactly what he believes. He also treats people fairly. This shows that Atticus is a fair and honest
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.
When Atticus took the case, he went up against Maycomb, a generally prejudiced town, in order to defend Tom. He understood that taking the case would make him an object of ridicule and that no one would forgive him for believing a black man's word over a white man's. Even his own sister expresses disapproval at his decision, practically telling him he was bringing disgrace to the family. Nevertheless, no matter how much his reputation suffered, he did not change his mind. Standing up for his morals and ethics was more important than what people thought about him. From the very start Atticus knows he will not win the case however he does his job and finishes what he set out to do.
Courage is often shown by actions of helpfulness, braveness, or just doing the right thing. When the mad dog, Tim Johnson, was advancing down the street, Calpurnia called Atticus Finch first, instead of calling the sheriff because she knew only Atticus could kill Tim with one shot. Atticus could shoot better than anyone in Maycomb, but it takes him a lot of courage to shoot the mad dog, because he hasn’t shot a gun in thirty years. Also, he doesn’t want to shoot unless he has to for the sake of not having an “unfair advantage over most living things” (130). Atticus is fearful because he hasn’t held a gun in thirty years and he’s afraid he’ll disappoint Maycomb. He also doesn’t even want to be the person to kill Tim Johnson because Atticus thinks it is unfair that he has a talent against other animals.