Theme Of Courage In To Kill A Mockingbird

The word “courage” has many definitions. Some people say that courage is being able to face one's own fears, while others say that courage is a person with a strong heart. Harper Lee exhibits true courage as standing up for what one believes in even when it signifies imperilling something precious.

Many people have different opinions on the meaning of courage. To Kill a Mockingbird has many characters that fit the definition well, such as Scout, Atticus, and even Calpurnia. Each character shows honesty, braveness, and standing up for what they believe in throughout different chapters. Courage is something everyone has but may not show it, Scout for instance, is just being herself, but she is courageous.

Courage is the commitment to begin without any guarantee of success. One will dare to take risks, have the strength to be compassionate, and the wisdom to be humble; courage is simply the foundation of integrity. What someone does in these moments of being very brave will reveal how strong someone really is, regardless of how much weight someone can deadlift. The courage of each character in "To Kill A Mockingbird" manifests itself in their battles against the corrupt forces of their world.

Atticus Finch is a lawyer who does not believe in racial discrimination. His courage is evident by his actions throughout the novel. Atticus accepts the Tom Robinson case having to know that he and his children will have to face racial slurs and many difficulties. “'Your fathers no better than the ____ and trash he works for!'” (102 Lee). This quote shows that Atticus and his children are going through a difficult time caused by the Tom Robinson case. Atticus stands up to his neighbours and to the racism of Maycomb. This is done while knowing that him and his children will have to go through a rough time. Although exposing his children to the difficulties from racism, he still shows courage by defending Tom. This was a very moral kind of courage, Atticus also shows acts of physical courage

Courage can be defined many ways: doing what scares you, taking a chance on love, or even buying a goldfish when you aren’t so sure you can take care of it; however, Harper Lee doesn’t leave the reader much of a decision on how she sees courage. Lee illustrates what courage is by the following quote on page 163 of To Kill A Mockingbird, “It’s when you’re

Atticus Finch demonstrates a significant amount of courage throughout the novel. He takes on the case of Tom Robinson, even though he is not a fan of criminal law. For goodness sake before the trial even begins, Atticus knows that there is no chance of him winning the case. He also knows that if he takes on the case, it could be very dangerous, considering the fact that most of the whites in Maycomb want Tom Robinson killed. Tom Robinson is being accused of beating and raping a white women. Especially because he is black and race was an issue during this time, many people are not happy. Many of these whites along with their families turn angry towards Atticus Finch for trying to defend Mr. Robinson. Despite all of this along with knowing that

In today's society, courage is defined as the ability to succeed without changing who we are as a person or what we believe in hoot courage, justice is weak and society is corrupt. In Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize winning novel "To Kill a Mockingbird', courage is presented through the characters Atticus Finch and Mrs Henry Lafayette Dubose as they confront their issues and embrace life regardless of what others think. Harper Lee constructed her narrative during a time of prejudice and injustice against Black Americans; hence courage was vital to overcome the racial discrimination many faced Both Atticus and Mrs Dubose along with the crucial events in the novel teach Jean Louise Finch, as well as the audience, the significance of courage and create an understanding that courage exists in several forms, Courage is often seen as the physical bravery an individual can display in a fearful H ever, it is also when an individual knows there is no chance of winning, but continues to fight for what they believe in. Harper Lee constructs a masculine image of this type of courage through Atticus and his handling of the mad dog incident. When comparing Atticus to the other fathers in Maycomb, Jam and Scout think of him as old and feeble' though the mad dog occurrence reveals a side of him that had not yet been discovered by his children; that he was once the best marksman the town with the name of one shot Finch'. Heck Tate insists that Atticus should kill the diseased animal even though

A remarkable American soldier and author named William T. Sherman once stated, “Courage, a perfect sensibility of the measure of danger, and a mental willingness to endure It.” Going against what society says and sticking to your beliefs is an act of courage. In the realistic fiction novel, ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee, an average southern family, the Finches, fights against the racism of a small town. Harper Lee’s message is expressed by symbolism through the two characters Tom Robinson and Boo Radley, the bildungsroman of Scout, and the hero archetype of Atticus .Harper Lee portrays that courage should be shown through loyalty not popularity.

What is courage? Courage is the ability to do something difficult even when there’s a risk. It’s not about bravery it’s about perseverance. In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird Lee teaches readers about what real courage is from her perspective. A few examples are when Jem confuses courage with strength or when Mrs Dubose was fighting her morphine addiction, when Atticus shoots the rabies infected dog,when Boo saves Jem and Scout and sneaks out the Radley house to give gifts to the kids and most importantly atticus’ determination to defend the town.

“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” is the true meaning of courage stated by Atticus in To Kill a Mockingbird(Lee 149,chap 11). To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel written by author Harper Lee. The novel is about a childhood adventure that takes place in the southern town of Maycomb, were siblings Jem and Scout learn what it means to grow up and mature into adulthood. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee portrays that courage is not just a man with a gun in his hand, courage can be portrayed or shown in different types of forms. The types of courage that were shown in To Kill a Mockingbird is physical courage, moral courage, and emotional courage.

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.

The character who best exemplified his courage was Atticus Finch. One of the times Atticus’ courage was prominent was when he said, “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.” (Lee, 100) Atticus is one of the people in this story who is above the prejudice in Maycomb, so he knows, with evidence to support him, that Tom Robinson is not guilty for the crimes he is tried for. This shows Atticus’ courage because even though he knows he will not only lose the case, but hinder his reputation as well, he continues to fight for Tom because he feels that is what is right.

Courage is the quality of mind that enables one to face danger with confidence, resolution, and gain a firm control of oneself. Many of the characters in To Kill a Mockingbird showed courage in their own way. Courage can come in many different forms: physical, mental, emotional and moral. Courage is not the only main theme displayed in To Kill a Mockingbird; prejudice and education are also very important themes exhibited throughout the progression of the novel. Through the eyes of Scout Finch, a bright, sensitive and intelligent little girl, these themes of the novel are explored in great depth.

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.

To Kill A Mockingbird is a book about courage to what extent do you agree with this?