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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
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tries to raise them the right way instead of finding someone else to. Protecting Jem and Scout is important to him and he tries his best to. Finch tells Jem that, “theres alot of ungly things in this world, son and I wish I could keep ‘em all away from you but thats never possible,” ( Lee 50). He tries his best when tring to keep his childern away from the bad things in the world but sometimes it doesnt always happen. He wants Scout to understand that violence is not the answer, but fighting with her head up is better. “... But do one thing for me if you will: you just hold you head high and keep those fists down… try and fight with your head up for a change”(Lee101). With the issues in the novel that happen to Jem and Scout they tend to worry. What he tries to do is help them understand is that sometimes is not the right time to worry, the issue that they are freaked out about might change, or have a different outcome. “ It's not time to worry yet,” (Lee139). Just this simple quote said to Jem and Scout multiple times help them relize that. With his children, Atticus is careful with the words that he chooses to say to them. Once Scout finally meets Boo Radley she states “Atticus, he was real nice,” Atticus responds with “Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them”(Lee 376). Trying to teach Jem and Scout the importance of that throughout the novel was hard but he never gave up. Courageously Atticus tries to teach the importance of getting to know someone before judging them and that's violence isn't the answer. Atticus Finch was courageous to take the Tom Robinson case, not everyone in Maycomb agreed that he should take it, but he did with hopes of self respect.
“ 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
chance. No matter the situation Atticus takes courageous risk to protect the people around him. There was a rabid dog on the loose and Mr. Heck Tate refused to shoot the dangerous animal. So Atticus stood up and took the shot. A quote from Atticus 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 ” (Lee 149). Jem and Scouts father believes that courage is within and not what someone can see. Another courageuse risk that Atticus took was saving Mrs. Maudie's rocking chair a thing that she cherished the most. “ I saw Atticus carrying Mrs. Maudie’s heavy oak rocking chair, and thought it sensible of him to save what she valued the most.” (Lee 93). Know that the house was on fire and going up to it saving her favorite chair was heroic for him to do. Another thing is, taking the Tom Robinson case which was courageous enough, but he went above and beyond to protect him. Finch left to protect Tom from a lynch mob knowing what might happen , “ ‘You know what we want’... get aside from the door, Mr. Finch” “ you can turn around and go back home Walter” (Lee 202). Since Tom was in a jail cell he was helpless, also with a arm that doesn't work it would've been even harder to defend himself, but Atticus was courageous enough to stand up to the lynch mob. Atticus Finch is a courageous part of the novel. He belives that everyone should be treated the same.Not only is he a lawyer, but he is the single parent of Jem and Scout which are big tasks. Also taking a case that nobody believes in and knowing the outcome of his and his familys reputation. Couragous risks is one of Atticus’s strengths in the novel. This story wouldn't be the same without Atticus Finch, his courage give the book an interesting plot, and makes him a strong lawyer and father.
Courage is a deed that can be portrayed in many ways. In the Historical Fiction novel To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee, there are many acts of racism and problematic cases where acts of courage are demonstrated in different and unique ways that can only be deciphered if one reads in between the lines of the words. There are three characters in particular who show courage in diverse ways. First, there is Arthur Radley who anonymously shows courage by performing tasks that cause him to face the outside world where he’s been isolated from for so long. Secondly, there is Scout Finch who demonstrates courage through her adolescent age. Lastly, there is Atticus Finch who displays courage through his selfless and kind actions. Therefore, in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses diverse characters to represent different acts of courage.
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.
An idea that recurs in or pervades a work of art of literature can be referred to as a “Theme”. Themes often explore timeless and universal ideas and may be implied rather than stated explicitly. Theme is an important part of fictional stories. Several themes are presented in the novel to kill a mocking bird. One of the reoccurring themes in to kill a mockingbird is courage.
Courage is the ability to do something that frightens one, which Atticus displays throughout the story. Firstly, Atticus has the courage to take on a case that he has a high probability of losing. Judge Taylor assigns the case to Atticus for a sole reason, that Atticus has the best chance of winning or creating a change in society with this case. “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hands. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyways and you see through it no matter what” (112). Atticus knows he will most likely lose the Tom Robinson case but he proceeds through it, despite the problems the case will cause him and his family. Secondly, Atticus Finch stands in front of Tom Robinson’s jail cell protecting him from the lynch mob. Lynching is a very common way of killing in the time period of this story which was commonly done by hanging the person for an alleged offense. “You know what we want’ another man said, ‘Get away from the door, Mr. Finch’. ‘You can turn around and go home Arthur,’ Atticus said pleasantly.” (202). Atticus is willing to stand up to a lynch mob and protect his client Tom Robinson even at the cost of his own life. Thirdly, Atticus continues on with his life normally despite the constant hate he gets. “Not only a Finch waiting on tables but one in the courthouse
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.
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.”
In the book, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the theme of courage appears many time. This is important to the book because it shows that it is important to stand up for what is right. The characters show courage in many different ways.
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
Atticus showed the most courage in the novel and influenced the kids and the people around him to also have courage. Atticus showed courage when he was appointed as Tom Robinson’s defender in court. He constantly had to deal with the hate and disapproval of defending a colored man around the town. Though he received
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.
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.