To Kill A Mockingbird Quotes Courage

“To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee is a novel that explores the theme of courage throughout key events and through character. The novel is narrated by Jen-Louise Finch over a two year period revolving mainly around the trial of Tom Robinson.

Courage is defined as "the quality of mind or spirit enabling one to meet danger or opposition with fearlessness." According to Atticus Finch, one of the main characters in To Kill a Mockingbird, "Courage is when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what." (pg.121). Harper Lee clearly portrays the theme of courage in her novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. One likes to think of a hero, as strong, brave, and meeting all challenges head on. All the characters in this book have a different view as to what courage

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.

“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.”(Lee 149) This quote is from Atticus Finch and this is the definition of what a courage is. This specific quote will affect the characters throughout the book. “Courage is daring to do what is right in spite of the weakness of our flesh” This quote is by Preacher Green in The Help and this is also an accurate definition of courage. Through Dialogue both To Kill A Mockingbird and The Help was equally accurate conveying courage. Courage is not a man with a gun but doing and standing up for what is right despite our disadvantages or

Atticus is courageous for defending a black man accused of rape,Tom Robinson, against a white women ,Mayella Ewell, Bob Ewell’s daughter, in a predjest community and be ridiculed by people in his community, friends and family included. Atticus has the courage to stand up for what he believes in and takes ridicule from people in his community to defend Tom Robinson even when he knows he will lose the case. Atticus says to uncle Jack ”’It couldn’t be worst, Jack. The only we’ve got is a black mans words against the Ewells’. The evidence boils down the you did it-I didnt. The jury couldn’t possibly be expected to take Tom Robinson's word against the Ewells…’’’. This shows Atticus is courageous because he knows people are angry and saying he is wrong and he still stands up for what he believes in and defends Tom Robinson when he knows he's losing the case in the end. Atticus is courageous for standing up for what he believes is

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.

“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” (149). Many people do not do the right things sometimes because they’re not brave enough to do so. To kill a Mockingbird was published July 11th, 1960 by Harper Lee in New York City. This novel was about racial tensions and also involved a court case of rape between an African American man and a white woman. This novel is known all around the world, it has become a classic Modern American Literature and has also won the Pulitzer Prize. In the novel To kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses the story's conflicts and mood of

Moreover, every other character in the story can be said to have courage, especially Atticus. The book revolves around Atticus and how he has no fear to defend a black man. Atticus is a lawyer that always had justice and never accepts injustice. He defends a black man named “Tom Robinson” who is accused of rapping a white girl whose own father had infact raped. “I’m simply defending a negro his name’s Tom Robinson” “The main one is, if I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this country in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again” (Lee,100). These quotes show that Atticus is not afraid and is brave enough to hold his head up in town even if he defended Tom, an inferior in their society. It also shows how well educated and mature he is that he even connects his job to his kids and he always tries to be good to be the best in his kids’ eyes. He wanted his kids to get along with other people and for them to learn courage from them like Mrs. Dubose, for example.

“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” (112). Courage is a potent theme in the book To Kill a MockingBird by Harper Lee. Although it may have different meanings to different people, in the book, Harper Lee has suggested that courage may not always involve violence of fear.

A significant representation of courage is seen within Atticus.  Within To Kill A Mockingbird Atticus speaks of the Tom Robinson trial as a trial all lawyers fear.  He must face a court case that will have a profound personal effect upon himself and his family.  Atticus summons the courage to recognize that there is a need for justice and that it is his duty to achieve this.  Maycomb is a town tainted with stereotypes and racism.  Atticus has the courage to overcome the fear of other peoples' dislike.  He must face the fear of straining the lives of his two young children and family name.  The courage Atticus embodies stems from his "satisfactory" character.  Atticus is righteous and unable to turn his back on those who truly rely upon his ability to show empathy.  He overcomes the heartless comments of those around them, to see the necessity of his involvement.

Atticus shows courage when he defends Tom from the lynch mob when he is going to jail, which could have ended in Tom being killed, brutally beaten and furthermore, could have lead to Atticus’ death and torture. In the novel, Atticus is sitting in front the jail doors reading a newspaper. He was opening, closing and folding it as if he was expecting a group of citizens to arrive. A massive group of men departed from their cars and began moving towards the jail doors. One man confronted Atticus and said "You know what we want. Get away from the door, Mr. Finch." "You can turn around and go home again, Arthur," Atticus said pleasantly. "Heck Tate's around somewhere”.(pg 202) This segment of quotations exemplifies that Atticus knew this group of men were going to arrive and he positions himself outside the jail doors ready to defend Tom.

Atticus shows Real Courage many times in TKAM especially in Tom Robinson's case. Atticus fought for tom robinson even though he knew he was fighting a losing battle. Atticus knows that he will be disliked for trying to help a black man. His own sister even tells him he is being a disgrace to the family.Atticus showed real courage by standing up for what he knew was right even though he got hated for it. 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 won." Atticus wants people to hear the truth about Tom, "That boy may go to the chair, but he's not going till the truth's told." (Page 146) Atticus even stands up for Tom after he is thrown in jail by protecting him from a

In To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Scout and Jem learn many things about courage, from many different people, throughout the story. I believe that courage is when someone does something, that they might be scared to do, for the well being of themselves or someone else. There are many people that show courage in this novel, but there are three people that show courage that really stick out to me; Atticus, Mrs. Dubose, and Boo Radley. I feel like Scout and Jem really learned a lot about courage from all three of them.

Another example of how Atticus shows courage is he helped Tom Robinson and he knew he was going to lose the case but he helped that poor men and he knew people were going to get mad with his family and they were going to started to talking about how Atticus dare to help a black person because they believe all black people

The quote “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 anyways and see it through no matter what.” (Lee 128) is further proof that Atticus doesn’t believe in giving up, or taking the easy way. An example of this is when he was presented with the opportunity of shooting the rabid dog. He had refused to touch a gun around his children up until this point, when it was absolutely necessary, and refuses still even after the trial, when Bob Ewell threatened him. Another example of his courage on this front is how he raised his children- by letting them figure out who they were and who they wanted to be mostly by themselves, but all the while encouraging them in the right direction. Merely letting his daughter Jean Lousie (Scout), be herself and wear overalls was a act of courage in itself, because of how badly he knew that everyone would react to a girl not in dresses, but in