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Courage in the killing mockingbird
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To kill a mockingbird themes courage
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John Wayne once said, “courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” This ties into the book because without Atticus’s courage the novel wouldn't be the same, he plays a major part in the plot and what he does for other people. In the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird Atticus Finch is an important part of the story because of his courage. Not only is he Jem and Scouts father, but he wants to bring justice no matter the cost. Even if that's his own reputation. He takes many risks to protect the people around him, including his family. Courage goes throughout the whole novel, Atticus, a single father trying to raise Jem and Scout by himself. Even though Calpurnia takes care of the cooking, cleaning, and motherly figure. Atticus …show more content…
“ You know the court appointed to defend this n-word,” “ yeah, but he still aims to defend him that's what I don't like about it,” (Lee 218). Justice for Tom, is what Atticus wants no matter what people think or say. Supporting Jem throughout the trial was important he tries to help him understand what the society thinks about white vs black men. He says that when is a white man's word against a black man's word, the white always win. But if it were up to children instead of the jury Tom would be free. “ There's something in our world that makes men lose their heads- they couldn't be fair if they tried… Their ugly but those are the facts of life.” (Lee 220). Finch held the court case out longer than most lawyers would, because he shared the truth on what he belived. Everyone around him knew that he wasn't going to win, but that he would give Tom a chance to tell his story. Miss. Maudie tells Jem and Scout “I thought Atticus Finch won't win, he can't win, but he's the only man in these parts who can keep a jury out so long in a case like that.” (Lee 226). After Atticus lost the trial and Tom was sent to jail. Jem has a hard time understanding why the trial went down that way, so Atticus tried to explain to him. “Tom Robinson’s a colored man, Jem. No jury in this part of the world's going to say ‘we think you're guilty, but not very’ on a charge like that…” (Lee 219). Even Atticus knew that he wasn't going to win the case but he was still courageous to take the case and give Tom a fair
Atticus Finch’s unique, courageous personality and contrarian mindset are proven through his unconventional actions throughout the novel. His stoic nature correlates with his extreme courage, a moral facet of his multi-layered personality that he highlights with various acts of nobility that many in Maycomb do not expect and often despise, but he continues on regardless. Early on, Atticus shows an aspect of his moral courage when he consoles Scout on the topic of getting bullied about his decision to defend Tom Robinson. In this specific instance, Atticus explains to Scout that, “no matter what anybody says to you, don’t you let ‘em get your goat. Try fighting with your head for a change” (Lee 101). Letting insults and rude remarks fly over
Atticus Finch is a heroic character in To Kill A Mockingbird. A hero is a person who is known for certain achievements and qualities. Atticus is known for many qualities he displayed during the novel, as well as various achievements. This makes him a heroic character. Atticus Finch is a hero because he defended a black man in court, proved his abilities and intelligences, and cared for everybody equally.
Atticus shows great compassion and tolerance when he stands up for the Negroes. He stands up and represents Tom Robinson because he believes that everyone should be treated equally in the court of law. He knows that because Tom was a Negro there would be a slim chance of winning. That fact never discouraged him though because he says that the main reason he is representing Tom is because, ' if I didn't I couldn't hold up my head in town, I couldn't represent this county in the legislature'; (75). He recited a speech, which clearly states that Tom Robinson is not guilty. In that speech he says, 'our courts have their faults, as does any human institution, but in this courts are the great levelers, and in our courts all men are created equal'; (205). He believed that prejudice and stereotyping is wrong and he tries to teach these morals to Scout and Jem.
Atticus Finch is one of the many characters who shows courage in this story. He shows courage because despite what his family and the rest of the town believed about Tom Robinson, Atticus took the case of Tom Robinson V. Mayella Ewell knowing what everyone would think of him. When the
Several people may define courage as a simple act of bravery or stepping out of one’s comfort zone. In To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses Atticus Finch, Mrs. Dubose and Arthur Radley, to define courage. Atticus Finch, the protagonist’s father, presents courage as he defends Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman, despite what others in the community say. Mrs. Dubose, an elderly neighbor, shows audacity in her fight against morphine and battle with death. Arthur Radley, the reclusive neighbor, reveals bravery in his protection of the protagonist, Scout and her brother Jem. Through Atticus Finch, Mrs. Dubose, and Arthur Radley, Lee establishes courage as a deep moral integrity and the willingness to do what is right, even
Courage is defined as “the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, and pain.” It is portrayed in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird multiple times by the main characters, Atticus, Scout, Jem, and Dill. The events that involved courage in the novel was Atticus defending Tom Robinson while the kids, Scout, Jem, and Dill messed with Boo Radley, which led to Scout and Jem reading to Mrs. Dubose.
Courage is the ability to act upon your moral beliefs without fear, regardless of difficulties. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch is a defense attorney who fights for a black man accused of rape. Atticus goes against what is accepted by the town, in an effort to bestow justice upon a man who is wrongfully judged by his race. Mamie Till-Mobley plays a leading role in sparking the civil rights movement, in her novel Death of Innocence. Mamie used her son’s horrific death to exemplify just how hateful people could be. While Atticus and Mamie both fought courageous fights against social injustice, there were many differences between their struggles.
Atticus Finch shows courage several times throughout the story. He raises Jem and Scout on his own and no matter what he always tries to do what is best for them. One major act of courage shown by Atticus is the Tom Robinson case. Atticus got judged by most of Maycomb for helping a black man but Atticus still stood up for what he thought was right, that took a lot of courage. Another strong act of courage is when Atticus shot the dog he knew that Jem and Scout would look up to him for this action. Atticus wanted Jem and Scout “To know what real courage is instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand ( Harper lee chapter 11)”. What Atticus
Imagine being a child who has no courage and has a father who is hated by everyone. Scout is the main character in To Kill a Mockingbird and faces this challenge. But, throughout the book, she proves to herself that she has courage. "Scout, you aren’t old enough to understand some things yet, but there’s been some high talk around town to the effect that I shouldn’t do much about defending this man. It’s a peculiar case..." (75). The theme of courage is most significant in To Kill a Mockingbird because Atticus stands up for Tom Robinson, Jem stands up for Atticus against the mob, and Scout overcomes her fear of Boo Radley.
In the 1960 novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, courage plays a major role in the three main characters; Atticus Finch, Jean Louise Finch (Scout), and Jeremy Finch (Jem). Courage is what gets them all through the hardships of living the 1930’s prejudice southern states of the U.S.
Almost all of the characters in the novel "To Kill a Mockingbird", written by Harper Lee, show the theme of courage in multiple ways. Courage is a difficult concept for people to do in real life. Some believe that courage is when people have strong bodies and hearts. Others would say it is someone who tells the truth instead of avoiding it. In the novel, courage is demonstrated through characters standing up for innocent characters even if it means going to take multiple risks. Harper Lee portrays courage through Atticus Finch; in the form of ethical courage when he stands for what he believes, Mrs. Dubose; in the form of emotional courage and her willingness to stop morphine addiction, and Boo Radley ;in the form of physical courage when
Tom Robinson’s trial, and in fact his entire life, was badly affected by racism. It is truly a testament to the corruption of society when a person who has earned a bad reputation is held in higher esteem than a person who was born with it, as is the case with Bob Ewell and Tom Robinson. Even though Tom was obviously honest in his testament, the jury sided with Bob Ewell because he was white. They made this decision despite the fact that the Ewell family was widely known to be a worthless part of society. Jem, not being racially prejudiced, could not understand this mentality. As Atticus pointed out, “If you (Jem) had been on the jury, son, and eleven other boys like you, Tom would be a free man.”
Atticus was courageous because he took on Tom’s case. Atticus knew that the chances of him winning were small. From the very beginning, the odds were not in Tom’s favor. He was a black man being accused of raping and beating a white woman. It seemed as if the whole town had already found Tom guilty even with the little evidence and respect people had for the Ewells, he was a black man which in these times was enough evidence for them. Atticus knew that he was the best man for the case. He would make it a fair trial and he did everything he could to make one.
Atticus teaches Scout and Jem many lessons throughout the novel, which includes courage. For example, when Atticus tries to educate his children about courage, he says to Jem that “he wanted [him] 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. You rarely win, but sometimes you do.” (Lee, 112) This is important, because Atticus sends a universal message of the definition of courage. This shows not only a moral, but a moral on a true and sincere note. An example of indirect courage, is when Atticus mentions that, “The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule, is a person’s conscience” (Lee, 105) This shows that any person has the power to change his or her mind regardless of the majority’s opinion. This is important, because a person needs courage to use their conscience to make a decision , even if it is against the majority. Atticus did the right thing, by teaching his children what real courage is.
In conclusion, the book To Kill a Mockingbird has a lot of examples of courage. For example, Atticus shows it by defending Tom Robinson. Also Jem shows courage by not leaving his dad so he wouldn’t get hurt. Lastly, Boo helped Jem when he got attacked but Bob