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Atticus finch role model in book
Atticus finch role model in book
The importance of courage
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Courage can be defined as the quality of spirit that enables an individual to face difficulty and danger without fear. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch holds numerous positive attributes in his character and courageous is unquestionably one of them. Throughout the novel, he continuously demonstrates that he himself is the definition of what real courage is and teaches not only his children, but also the folks in Maycomb County, an important lesson about self-respect and respect for others. Atticus Finch is irrefutably a hero because he is courageous. For instance, Atticus shows his courage when he puts justice before his own safety. This is seen when he places himself between Tom Robinson and the lynch mob who arrived with the obvious …show more content…
To explain, throughout the novel Atticus carries himself with integrity and never lost sight of his beliefs and values. For example, his conduct never wavered no matter where he was or who he was with: “‘Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets’” (pg.46). Here it is seen that Atticus is known to be a man who is consistent with his moral compass and has no secondary personalities. In addition, Atticus further demonstrates his moral courage when he reacts with patience and tolerance for Bob Ewell when he violently spits in Atticus’s face, bombards him with insults and threats: “Mr.Ewell approached him, cursed him, spat on him, and threatened to kill him… Atticus didn’t bat an eye, just took out his handkerchief and wiped his face and stood there and let Mr.Ewell call him names” (pg.217). Here Atticus refuses to stoop down Bob Ewell’s level and responds in the way that most people would not have reacted. Through Atticus’s capability to tolerate Ewell and remain calm in this incident, his moral courage becomes evident. Overall, Atticus is indisputably a symbol of courage because of his ability to stand by his strong moral
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.
In several different instances, the townspeople tried to convince him not to, and in one event they even threatened him. However, Atticus shows courage in defending Robinson.... ... middle of paper ... ... Courage is not taking a challenge knowing you will win, it is facing a challenge one knows one will most likely lose and still trying.
Atticus’s real courage drove him to put aside the criticism and risk, and take up and fight the Tom Robinson’s controversial case. It is evident that these three characters in To Kill a Mockingbird display acts of real courage, even when they know they are fighting a losing battle.
In conclusion, Atticus shows praiseworthy courage and behavior, in many instances, throughout the story; not by fighting or killing, but by standing up for what he believed in a civilized and determined way. His sense of morality and equality motivated him to take the risks he did, and was praised by the African American society for the actions he, as a white man, took to support the blacks. In many other instances people were able to display courage, and some good came out of it. Antigone pleased the gods but payed the price for taking unimaginable actions. Rosa Parks sparked a sense of freedom from racism and segregation in the minds of many. Courage is taking risky actions, of which even if you have slight chances of success, you continue to follow through with it and never give up.
Webster's dictionary defines courage as "mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty." 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." (Chapter 11, Page 124) No matter how you define it, Harper Lee definitely portrays the theme of courage in this book. It is one of the most predominant themes and is shown in many of the characters. All of the characters have a different view as to what courage is and they all show it a different way, however they do show courage in their everyday lives.
Courage is the ladder on which other themes in to kill a mockingbird mount on. With courage people tend to take risks, have strength to be compassionate, and the wisdom to be humble. How many times have you considered yourself as courageous? At the end of the novel, you see reasons why being courageous could help you as a reader live a better and braver life. In Conclusion, courage is the foundation of integrity.
Courage is not something that we are born with, it is a skill that takes time to learn and only a few are lucky enough to have it. To Kill a Mockingbird is not only about life in a world full of hate, it is about standing up for anyone’s beliefs being brave enough to do it. In this story, Harper Lee says “Courage is not a man with a gun in his hand. It's knowing 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). In To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee illustrates courage through Atticus Finch, Mrs. Dubose, and Arthur Radley.
Atticus demonstrates true courage by defending Tom Robinson, even though he knows that he will not win and that the people of Maycomb will clearly turn on him. Later on in the novel Atticus is courageous when he stands outside of Tom's cell, knowing that men from town will show up and attempt to beat him or worse yet kill him. When the town does show up, Atticus shows courage again by standing his ground and refusing to leave Tom when he says “You can go turn around and go home again, Walter” (202).
To be courageous you cannot be deterred by possible outcomes that may involve danger or pain. To be courageous you have to be more than brave you have to be undaunted and have a heart of a lion. Through Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird courage and determination are embedded through the character’s actions. Atticus Finch, a lawyer in Maycomb County, explains to his son Jem, “I 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 see if through no matter what.(Lee 149)” Through this quote Harper Lee is trying to convey that, real courage is more than appearance it is a significant action
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
Moreover, Atticus manifested courage when he went to the jailhouse to protect Tom from a lynch mob.
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.
Within the novel "to kill a mocking bird" the character Atticus finch defines courage as, "Courage is when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what." Atticus takes the first step by being courageous to take the Tom Robinson case, defying the towns liking of prejudice, even his own sister thinks that he is disgracing the family by taking the case he explains with concern
Courage, courage is accomplishing something that frightens someone else. In life people aren’t afraid of the same thing those people that aren’t afraid are the courageous ones. To Kill A Mockingbird is a wonderful story that is all about courage of how there is a crime that was said done by black man and a white lawyer is covering his case. The lawyer goes through this battle to win this case, but also at the same time teaching his children about life. In To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee characterizes Atticus as a man who has a lot of courage.
The people of the county would scold Atticus for trying to raise his children alone, and judge him for defending an African American man named Tom Robinson. In the 1930s and decades after, people were judged by the color of their skin, and not by the content of their character. Atticus resisted this when reasoning with his daughter on treated everyone equally. “You think about how much Cal does for you, and you mind her, you hear” (Lee 25)? Even in a society where Africans were treated with prejudice, Atticus speaks about Calpurnia as if there was not even a little difference between them. Though it may have been easier to tell Scout to treat Cal poorly, Atticus wanted to instill values in Scout that were morally correct. Atticus displays courage by treating people equally no matter what color skin they have. In addition, Atticus displays a large amount of courage when he chooses not to respond to Bob Ewells’ threats. In result of defending a black man, Mr. Ewell spit in Atticus’ face and threatened him and his family. “Miss Stephanie said Atticus didn’t bat an eye…” (Lee 217). Instead of reacting harshly to Bob’s actions, Atticus does not show that he is disturbed. He uses moral courage to be the bigger person, and be peaceful despite his circumstances. Just by simply not fighting back takes a large amount of courage, and by remaining silent, he is standing up for his beliefs. Moreover, as mentioned before,