"To Kill a Mockingbird", is a story that focuses on saving the innocent. Also, it presents poverty and racial tensions within the
town. The story focuses on the Finch family; father and lawyer Atticus, tom-boy daughter Scout, and pre-teen son Jem. The
author, Harper Lee defines courage in part one mostly through the Finch family. Atticus defends an accused colored man in court,
Scout defends her father against critics, and Jem shows bravery while up against the terrifying Radley place. These situations
will clearly explain, how these major characters showed courage in pressure moments. These characters showed their courage
through bravery and standing up against their own community.
Let's first mention, Atticus, who
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This is a dangerous case for Atticus to take, while he knows Robinson was accused
of rape and assault by a white woman. No other white lawyer or attorney had the courage to take the case, causing Atticus to be
asked many questions of WHY? For example, Scout asked Atticus and he responded, “For a number of reasons. The main one is,
if I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this county in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem
not to do something again.” This shows that Atticus would never forgive himself if he didn't take the case, because of a man's
skin color. Also, it shows that even though Tom is black, Atticus truly believes in the innocent, no matter what color they are.
To add on, Scout showed her courageous attitude, through mental toughness and self-control. Scout takes the insults of her
racist classmate, because of her dad's defense for Tom Robinson. Scout's classmate Cecil Jacobs said in the story, "My folks said
your daddy is a disgrace an that nigger oughta hang from a water-tank!" Cecil's words hurt Scout, by him degrading Atticus's
made her extremely upset. By, Scout being such a "hot-headed" girl, her dropping her fist and leaving the fight showed
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At last, we come to the brother, Jem Finch. Jem took a trip to the haunted house of Maycomb, the Radley place. Jem and his
pal, Dill Baker, one day plan to try to sneak a peek through the loose window shutter. As soon as they see a shadow of a man and
hear a gunshot they ran off, Dill scared to death and Jem loosing his pants to get free. When he returned home, Atticus wondered
where his pants were. Then, Dill adds that he won Jem's pants in a game of strip poker, which Atticus thinks is bizarre. Later that
night, Jem seeks the courage to sneak out to the "haunted" Radley place alone, so he wouldn't have to explain to Atticus WHERE
he had lost the pants, knowing Atticus had said don't go back there. Although, he knew it was dangerous to go, Jem went back
because the courage to go there, was easier to him, then telling Atticus he had let him down..
In conclusion, these three main characters were the focus of "To Kill a Mockingbird" part one, acting with bravery and courage.
Atticus breaks the "race barrier" in the town of Maycomb. Him defending a black man, shows his courage in the racist
Scout fights with Cecil and Francis because they are insulting Atticus and Scout has to defend her father’s honor.
Atticus takes this case because he values equality and justice for any race of people. He wants Tom Robinson to have a fair case and not just thrown in jail because of accusations. Atticus’s family is talking about Atticus and how he is a disgrace because he took the case for a black man. “He’s ruinin‘ the family…” (Lee, ).
In the novel, Scout Finch has shown more courage than most children and adults. For example, Scout has dealt with people talking about how her family in negative
Atticus had accepted the job to defend Tom Robinson because he values justice and equality. Atticus explains that if he did not defend Robinson, he couldn’t represent the country in the legislature.
Atticus asks where the kids were and Dill says they were playing poker and he won the pants and then later Jem went to go get his
Days before the trial, townsfolk were so angry that Atticus took the case that they basically threatened him. Atticus claimed he was doing it for the money and shook it off. He knew that he had almost no chance of winning the case. He defended him anyways because he felt as if it was his moral duty to do so. This noble gesture made him seem like a hero and gave an example to his children and the townspeople.
Atticus is guarding the jailhouse to make sure no one hurts Tom Robinson before his trial, when he is approached by Walter Cunningham and his fellow goons. Atticus shows his bravery by standing his ground for what he believes is right in front of his son. When Scout lashes out to her father’s side, Jem holds onto her and tries to stop her from interfering. Then Jem refuses to go home and stands up for his father’s side although the odds were against them, while trying to protect his sister from harm. In page 152, chapter 15, Scout says, “... but from the way he stood, Jem was not thinking of budging.” This shows us that Jem has matured from the boy who would do anything if dared, to a young man who can barricade his emotions and proceed with reason in difficult situations.
and it gives him hope. Tom was moved to the Maycomb county jail, and Atticus sat in front to
There is definitely a certain definition of courage that is brought to life through the book To Kill a Mockingbird. In this book there is three main characters that make that unique true to life definition absolutely stand out. These three characters are Jem, Atticus, and Tom Robinson. Through many of their own acts of courage they brought the definition to life throughout the book.
Atticus accepted the job to defend Tom Robinson because if he didn’t he “couldn’t hold up his head in town, and for several other reasons.
The story begins as Scout describes her family history and her town, Maycomb during the time of the Great Depression. Atticus is a prominent lawyer and the Finch family is reasonably well off in comparison to the rest of society. She and her brother, Jem, meet Dill, who has come to live in their neighborhood for the summer, and the children share stories and fantasies about the mystery man who lives near by. The man’s name is Arthur, or Boo, Radley. The house
To Kill a Mockingbird pulls the reader into the adventures of maturing children experiencing the extraordinary events during a time of segregation in the 1930s southern states. The significant changes that the main characters undergo questions the beliefs of a strong, opinionated town that revels the true identities of citizens residing in Maycomb, Alabama. Scout Finch lives with her brother Jem and their father Atticus in the small, close-knit town of Maycomb. The people of Maycomb are socially casted by their lineage and how long their ancestors have been living in Maycomb.
Atticus's strong sense of morality and justice motivates him to defend Tom Robinson with determination, giving it all he has. He shows this when he says, "Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try and win." (pg.82). He says this to Scout after she comes home from school angry at Cecil Jacobs for making fun of Atticus in the schoolyard. Atticus tells her to fight with her head instead of her fists. He wants the people of Maycomb to hear the truth about Tom, "That boy may go to the chair, but he's not going till the truth's told." (pg.159). Atticus is putting everything a man holds dear, dignity, respect, honor and status, on the line to protect Tom. He later shows more bravery when he goes to the jailhouse to
Atticus shows true courage by defending Tom Robinson, a black man charged with the rape of a white woman. Atticus continues to fight for justice despite knowing he can’t win the case because he is
Atticus has no prejudice so he tried to defend Tom Robinson the best way he can even he knew he couldn’t win. Black people weren’t normally defended by white lawyers because they would rarely win.