Courage of Characters in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird

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Courage is what makes ordinary people extraordinary. In Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, Tom Robinson, a poor black worker accused of raping a white girl is represented by Atticus Finch, a well-to-do white lawyer during the Great Depression. Even though Atticus, and the town, thinks Tom will be accused, but Atticus takes the case anyway. The thematic topic of courage is defined by Atticus as “when you know you’re licked before you begin…and…see it through no matter what,” the characters of Atticus, Boo Radley, and Mrs. Dubose demonstrate Atticus’ definition of courage. Atticus demonstrates courage through taking on Tom Robinson’s trial. The trial was thought by many to be impossible to win, but Atticus still tries his best to prove that an innocent man is actually innocent. After the verdict is read and Atticus is back home, he says to Jem, Scout, and Aunt Alexandria how “[The Jury has] done it before and they did it tonight” (Lee 244). Atticus is upset that the jury convicted a clearly innocent man, only because he was black. Even though most people knew that Tom’s trial...

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