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How Does Miss Maudie Show Courage

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Courage is defined as: "the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery." In everyone's life, we are faced with situations which require us to summon the courage to solve problems. In the book To Kill a Mockingbird, Jem and Scout are faced with a number of situations requiring them to use courage to solve problems, They are courageous as they interact with Miss Maudie, Miss Dubose, Boo, Dill, and their father- Atticus finch. All of these interactions--which hinge upon courage-- teach the children many important lessons about dealing with racism, death (and more importantly life), and many other dangerous situations.

What lessons do Jem and Scout learn about courage from Miss Maudie's house fire? In the words of Miss Maudie, "People are more important than things." Miss Maudie makes it clear to Jem and Scout, even though most of her possessions are probably burnt or destroyed, she still stands tall and unmoved because she's alive. Miss Maudie said: "Always wanted a smaller house, Jem Finch. Gives me more yard. Just think, I'll have more room for my azaleas now!" This lesson was meant to teach Scout and Jem to look on the bright side of things and to be brave even in the face of adversity. …show more content…

The dog's rabidness and anger represent all that Atticus must face now that he's taken the Tom Robbinson case. Furthermore, the mad dog represents Atticus care and his devotion to his family. As soon as the dog approaches Jem and Scout, Atticus immediately shoots it with a shotgun. "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 see it through no matter what." Atticus teaches Jem and Scout the difference between being a sharp shooter and using courage to solve a problem that seems

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