Variety of Courage in To Kill a Mockingbird
“Courage isn’t a man with a gun in his hands” (Lee 112). From the beginning of the story, some of the characters thought courage is someone with a gun, but as it progressed it became clearer that Courage never had anything to do with guns. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee shows how courage is in different forms physical, social and moral courage through the characters of the novel.
To start off, Jem is a character who shows Physical courage through the actions of him getting shot when he goes back to retrieve his pants from the Radley’s house after Nathan had already shot at him, “Mr. Nathan had the other barrel waiting for the next sound he hears” (56). That shows Physical courage because
…show more content…
Atticus gets disapprove a lot throughout the story, for example when Scout walks into a diner she listens to what the men's have to say about Atticus, ‘“You know the court appointed him to defend this nig***”(163). In shorter terms, Atticus is being socially dislike by Maycomb’s people due to the fact that he is aiming to defend a black man, but he still going to try his best to win the case because he is trying to set a good example for Jem that real courage is trying your best to win even though you know you're not going to win. Also, Mr. Raymond shows social courage by marrying a color women, but he covers it up by pretending he’s drunk all the time but acknowledge that “some folks don't like the way I live and I'll try to give em a reason not to hate me” (200). In other words, Dolphus Raymond shows social courage because he is risking his popularity when he marries that color women and people in Maycomb would neglect him for doing so. Also, Scout is another character who portrays social courage, for instance when the entire class depended on Scout to tell Miss Caroline that Walter won't take the money, “A storm of laughter broke loose when it finally occurred to the class that Miss Caroline had whipped me” (22). That shows social courage because she is getting embarrass when the whole class laughs at her that Miss Caroline whipped her when she …show more content…
Atticus is mostly shamed and disapprove of his friends and family, for example when Francis keeps calling telling Scout that Atticus is a nig*** lover, “bad enough he lets you all run wild, but now he’s turned out a nig*** lover”(83). Which shows, Atticus’s family is shaming him that he is helping a colored man in a court of trial, and they do so by calling him names, but the Atticus still does the right thing to help out Tom. In addition, Atticus had so much integrity that he would even tell Heck Tate that his own son killed someone, “best way to clear the air is to have it all out in the open… sooner we get this over with the better...his daddy paid a mint to get him out of that” (273). That shows moral courage because he is going to get shamed for if he doesn’t put Jem on trial and everyone would think that Atticus did not have to try so hard to get Jem out of jail plus he did the right thing by letting Heck Tate know that he can have the right to arrest his son which shows Atticus doing the right thing and obeying the law. Lastly is Tom Robinson, when he chooses to tell the truth and testify in court when he knows he doesn’t have to, “Tom, you’re sworn to tell the whole truth...she hugged me” (194). In simpler terms Tom showed moral courage by telling the truth even though people won’t even believe him
Courage is when you know you’re beaten. The character Atticus, for instance, who was a seasoned lawyer acted courageous defending Tom Robinson. Tom Robinson was a black man who was accused of raping a white girl. Atticus was appointed to defend him. Jem was happy because he thought his father had won the case but Reverend Sykes loathed telling Jem “Now don’t you be so confident, Mr. Jem, I ain’t ever seen any jury decide in favor of a colored man over a white man…”(Lee 208). Atticus was sure he wasn’t going to win the case, nevertheless he gave it a try. That didn’t stop Atticus from trying to defend his client Tom Robinson. Another part in the novel when Atticus was courageous was when he shot at the man street dog. Heck Tate the Maycomb Sheriff was not as courageous as Atticus so he handed Atticus the air rifles and with one shot Atticus took down the street dog. Miss Maudie says “I saw that, One Shot Finch” (Lee 97). Atticus was referred to as one-shot finch because of his shooting skills. The other incidence in the novel when Atticus portrays courage was when he was not scared when Bob Ewell threatened him. Bob Ewell was the man who accused Atticus’ defendant Tom Robinson of raping his daughter Mayella. Atticus thought Bob Ewell threatened him as some sort of revenge, but unfortunately Atticus was wrong because when Bob Ewell said ...
Throughout the novel Atticus, Boo and Jem demonstrate, through actions, the important theme that everyone is brave in their own way. Atticus Finch shows through his actions that bravery can show up in many different ways. Although he lives in Alabama, surrounded by racists, Atticus shows extreme bravery in the way he defends Tom Robinson. Not only does Atticus defend Tom Robinson’s case in the courtroom, he also pours his heart and soul into protecting Robinson and his whole family from the angry mobs of Maycomb. When Atticus explains to Scout and Jem, “I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this county in legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again,” he models bravery and the importance of doing the right thing even under the most difficult circumstances (Lee 75).
"Courage isn't an absence of fear. It's doing what you are afraid to do. It's having the power to let go of the familiar and forge ahead into new territory." ~John Maxwell. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout (Jean Louise Finch), Jem (Jeremy Atticus Finch), and Atticus Finch display acts of valor that contribute, and in some cases encourage their rectitude. Harper Lee demonstrates that acting courageously can lead to an improved, sustained, or newly developed personal integrity.
Atticus Finch shows, in many ways, the true definition of a hero, but no situation was more important than the Tom Robinson trial. In Maycomb, the thought of taking a negro’s word instead of a white man’s was ridiculous to the citizens, especially over a matter as serious as a black man raping a white woman. Regardless of this information, Atticus still takes on Tom Robinson’s case and tries to make as big of a difference as possible. When Scout asks him if he thinks that he will win the case, Atticus subtly replies “No, honey” (76). Atticus goes on to explain, “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try and win” (76). Basically, Atticus believes that just because it is unlikely that he will win, it does not mean that he should just give up without trying. Throughout all the discrimination, Atticus remains tough and tries to achieve his goal, no matter how hard it is. This was an example of moral courage. Even Scout knows how hard her father is trying by comparing Atticus’ efforts to “watching Atticus walk down the street, raise a rifle to his shoulder and pull the trigger, but...
Atticus defines courage to Jem. "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" (112). A man with a gun, in his eyes, is not a man, but a coward. It takes little character to point a gun and pull a trigger, but it takes mountains of courage to accept a challenge in which you are already defeated. Nothing to do but reverse fate, overturn the thoughts and predictions which stands looking down with a grin upon its face. This feat maybe impossible, but not totally forsaken, for courage prevails over cowardice.
This novel tends us to picture Atticus as a very courageous man. His definition for this term doesn?t mean bravery or a man with a gun in his hand. He defines courage as ?When you know you are licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what?. Atticus?s courage is represented very significantly and differently in this book. He undertook the case of a Negro who was wrongly accused of raping a white girl. He went against the whole racist community of the town. The opposition of the racist people failed to make him step back from the case. He just fought the case courageously. But the white jury couldn?t possibly be expected to take a black person?s work against the whites.
The book To Kill a Mockingbird was published in 1960 by an author named Harper Lee. Harper Lee born was April 28, 1926 in Monroeville Alabama Lee had made 2 novels in the time she was alive she had wrote To Kill A Mockingbird and Go Set A Watchman. Harper lee had also illustrated a few children's books. So what is courage? To Kill A Mockingbird gives the readers a look into how terrible things were in the south during the 1930’s from prejudice to racism to morality and even youth. When an African American man named Tom Robinson is wrongly accused of raping a young, white girl a lawyer named Atticus Finch takes the case. Atticus Finch is the main character's father. Atticus is very different from most people in Maycomb county, Atticus believes in justice for all and that
In conclusion, Atticus shows praiseworthy courage and behavior, in many instances, throughout the story by taking the road not taken. Not by fighting or killing, but by standing up for what he believed in; in a civilized and determined way. His strongest motivation; however, were his kids. He is unique compared to others by taking this road as he defended a black man, putting people before himself and his teaching methods are different. Atticus has made a vast amount of changes to Jem and Scout and has been a great role model. He wants to live without regrets, and to him that's the only way you can say you really lived at all.
In Harper Lee’s, “To Kill a Mockingbird”, it is evidently shown that good and evil coexists, nevertheless courage, or lack of courage helps distinguish the good and evil. Initially, in order to depict this idea of good through courage, the author helped the reader realize this through having the characters go against the status quo, doing good actions that would still put forth disdain, and to treat others right even when others believe it to be wrong, these actions all take immense courage and point straight to the direction of good which is what the author is targeting for its audience to catch. During the story Atticus was given the unpleasant job as the lawyer for Tom Robinson, the African American male who was conceived to have raped
Atticus is a great leader of his family, teaching his children morals and life lessons. He makes them better people by showing them how to deal with the trial and people making fun of them. Atticus teaches Scout how to respect other people. First, Scout learns to respect Atticus, then to respect "Boo" Radley, and finally to respect a whole race of people, negroes. He makes it a common practice to live his life as he would like his children to live theirs, and thus displays the attributes of an honest, respectable, and kind man. Throughout the trial process, Atticus shows Jem and Scout that true courage is standing up for what you believe in and that all human beings, despite their race, deserve respect. "You never really understand a person until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." This quote shows that Atticus wants his children to get along with people, and so other people will respect them for whom they are.
There are lots examples of Scout and Jem learning what courage is in To Kill A Mockingbird. Scout and Jem are brother and sister, so they spend a lot of time together. And during this time, they learn very important life lessons about what courage is. All of these lessons are important to know and they aren’t things that Scout and Jem just forget about. Scout and Jem learn about what courage is in To Kill A Mockingbird in several ways including, admitting they are wrong, standing up in a tough situation, and standing up for what they believe in.
Throughout the whole book, Atticus’ proves time and time again his remarkable courage, particularly during the time of Tom Robinson’s trial. No matter what challenges he faces, he always demonstrates bravery and valor while standing up for the truth. When he took up the task of defending Tom over the alleged rape of Mayella Ewell, he knew he was walking into a dangerous situation supporting a black man in a courtroom in Alabama, and yet he boldly chose to affirm what he believed was right and to argue against Tom’s accusers. Even when “Mr. Ewell approached him, cursed him, spat on him, and threatened to kill him” (248) after the trial, he handled the situation calmly and fearlessly by ignoring him and continuing on his way. Because of this remarkable quality in Atticus’ life, the people of Maycomb love and admire him.
Courage exists in several forms in Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. As defined by Atticus Finch, real courage "…when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what” (149). The novel explores the how this real courage can be shown in different ways through the lives of many characters in Maycomb, particularly, Tom Robinson, Mrs. Dubose, and Atticus. Their courage is evident through their lifestyle, actions, and beliefs.
Furthermore, Atticus showed true bravery when he went against Maycomb, a generally prejudice town, in order to defend Tom. He understood that taking the case would make him an object of scorn and ridicule. That no one would forgive him for believing in a black man's word rather than a white man's. Even his own sister expresses disapproval of his decision, practically telling him he was bringing disgrace on the family. But, no matter how much his reputation suffered, he did not change his mind. Standing up for his convictions was more important then what people thought about him..
Scout believes at the beginning of the book that courage is all to do with physical feats like fist fighting. Scout and Jem though Atticus was courageous when he shot the mad dog, but Atticus just shrugged it off telling his children that that is not ? real courage?. The children soon see that moral courage is more valuable after Miss Dubose said "Your father's no better than the niggers and trash he works for!" Chapter 11, Page 113 after they walked past her house.