How Does Atticus Show Courage

Atticus tackles a situation that many would avoid. Defending an African American man during the time of segregation. Although he is very much aware of this fact, Atticus still takes on the challenge. “Scout, you aren’t old enough to understand some things yet, but there’s been some high talk around town to the effect that I shouldn’t do much about defending this man.” (86). Atticus states this fact to scout so that he may understand that Atticus is practically defending Tom against the whole town. Although he’s outnumbered by townspeople, Atticus courageously still decides to defend Tom Robertson; even in the face of uncertain failure.

“To Kill a Mockingbird” is a beloved book in America and has been for decades. The book is told from the perspective of a young girl named Scout Finch, who lived in Macomb County, Alabama, in the 1930s. She plays around her neighborhood and tries to see her ‘scary’ neighbor, Boo Radley, with her brother, Jem Finch, and her neighbor, Dill Harris. Her father is a great lawyer named Atticus Finch, and he is appointed to defend a black man, Tom Robinson, who is falsely accused of rape. This story shows us through the examples of Jem Finch and Boo Radley that courage can mature with a person and that it is truly to put oneself in danger to protect others, even if there is an unfair disadvantage which also applies to real life.

Protecting a Mockingbird Atticus demonstrates his definition of courage by defending Tom Robinson, a black man in court even though the chances of him succeeding are slim. The story To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee takes place in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama during the Great Depression. Atticus is a lawyer in this small town and has raised two smart children on his own, Scout and Jem.

In “To Kill a Mockingbird” a book written by Harper Lee, characters show courage in many ways. Scout shows courage by backing away from a fight that is calling her name after Atticus asks her to, Atticus shows it by defending Tom even though it could ruin him, and Arthur or “Boo” Radley shows it by coming out from his house to save Jem and Scout from a drunken Mr.Ewell. Characters in “To Kill a Mockingbird” display courage by going through things they know might not turn out well for them. Courage can be a lot of things, whether it be standing up for someone, doing something scary, or in Scout’s case backing off from a fight. Scout is about to get into a fight with one of her classmates, Cecil Jacobs, when she remembers something Atticus had told her.

Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, is the story of two children coming of age and learning about their hometown and the whole world. The two children in the story are Jem and Scout Finch. Jem and Scout live with their father, Atticus, in Maycomb County. Throughout the story, many problems arise which teach both children about bravery. The three bravest characters in the novel include their neighbor Mrs. Dubose, a convicted black man named Tom Robinson, and their father Atticus.

In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch is a character who frequently displays his moral courage, especially when confronting the injustices embedded in the culture of Maycomb, Alabama. Most people would say his courageous defense of Tom Robinson and his behavior as a citizen in Maycomb is either realistic or overly idealistic. His courageous act and behavior is realistic because even though it wasn't common for a white person to defend a black person, Atticus made it possible. He also didn’t change his mind even though his kids were getting teased at school or because he was being judged by the citizens of Maycomb. His courage said a lot of what kind of person he is.

“Courage is the commitment to begin without any guarantee of success.”(Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe)In the book To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee states that bravery and courage are favorable traits that build character and make one stronger. She suggests this through Atticus deciding to defend Tom Robinson and Mrs. Dubose defeating her morphine addiction. There are many examples of this, but these two stood out the most.

He realizes how important courage is and takes the time to make sure Jem has an untainted view of it. Lastly, the character of Atticus Finch portrays courage when he defies the lynch mob. Atticus could have easily let the mob take Tom Robinson, however he chose not to. This action is important because it clearly defines Atticus' commitment to upholding his morals. Atticus took his life in his hands to defend a man he had only barely known, which is the definition of courage.

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’s social status has been completely diminished, however, he feels that he is doing the right thing. Atticus believes in equality for everyone, regardless of race. He does not care what others have to say. He sets a great example for his kids by teaching them what bravery and courage really is. “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his

Overcoming fears, worries, and challenges is how one can define courage. Atticus Finch, Boo Radley, and Jem Finch assume that having courage is to be brave is overcoming one challenge. Atticus shows how to overcome his fear through the book, To Kill a Mockingbird, by explaining to Scout that she should not judge others by looking at them. Boo Radley expresses himself by helping out Jem when he lost his pants at the Radley place. And lastly, Jem Finch demonstrates that running to the Radley house and being able to touch it, expresses he can overcome his fears of being killed.

The following quote said by Atticus, shows who he really is and what he wants to do. Jem looks up to his father like children look up to police officers. I like the way Atticus teaches his son what real courage is. Like the common saying "actions speak louder than words", Atticus shows his character usually through his action rather than speech. By telling this to gem, he gets rid of the idea in Jem's head that having a gun in your hand isn't courage.

Courage is the ability to do something that frightens someone, it is what makes ordinary people extraordinary. The strength in the face of pain or grief, but most importantly “Real courage is when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and, see it throughout no matter what”- Harper Lee. In the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, the theme of courage is well shown throughout. In a small town of Maycomb, Alabama, Jem and Scout experience growing up in an unfair world affected with racism. Atticus is the town’s finest lawyer, having two children Jem and Scout who show courage with one another and towards each other. Boo Radley is known as an evil person in the town. Harper Lee displays courage as standing up for what one believes in, even when it means getting into trouble. The display of courage in To Kill a Mockingbird is shown through many of the main characters such as Atticus Finch, Boo Radley and Jem and Scout

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in times of comfort and convenience , but where he stands in time of challenge and controversy” as quoted by Martin Luther King Junior.The true persona and character of an individual is revealed when they are faced with privation and hardship.This is evidently clear in Harper Lee’s 1960 novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” through the characters of Atticus Finch, Arthur “Boo” Radley and Jem Finch.Within these characters the corresponding theme of courage is highlighted which allows them to seek justice and equality.The tough times experienced during the time period strengthens Atticus to seek justice for a convicted African American (Tom Robinson), demands Jem to defend Atticus when a lynch mob

However, what motivates him to do so is not to be ‘courageous’, but rather by the importance he places on his own morals. Hence Atticus’ actions are driven by his need to stay true to himself and his morals. This can be seen through Atticus’ conversations with Scout about “people’s consciences not abiding by majority rule” and her being “everybody less one”, when the crowd went against what was right. It took courage for Atticus to stand up against the town’s prejudices in defending a negro, but his motivation for doing so was to uphold what he stood for, something that came naturally to Atticus. It was his moral compass that motivated him to take action, not courage