Examples Of Bravery In To Kill A Mockingbird

A World of Courage in Maycomb’s Mockingbirds

While bravery is an adjective often attributed to valiant knights or fearless warriors of old, it is no stranger to To Kill a Mockingbird’s own sleepy, southern town Maycomb. Though the citizens of Maycomb are not directly seen as heroes of their own merit, many alternative views on bravery are illustrated throughout Harper Lee’s novel alongside main characters Jem and Scout’s adventures. As Jem and Scout mature and are gradually exposed to the diversity of Maycomb’s bravery, they begin to recognize heroic acts in others and come to understand that “...courage is [more than] a man with a gun in his hand(149).”

Though a striking example of bravery within the community, much of Maycomb’s own Arthur

In upholding his courteous standards and professional stature in the most difficult of circumstances, Atticus constantly demonstrates his courage of mind and heart, even in the face of the most relentless adversaries. However, Atticus’ most difficult, controversial and brave endeavor lies in the legal battle of the Ewells and a local man of color, Tom Robinson. As the county-appointed lawyer of a black defendant in a 1930’s Southern community, Atticus is put under great pressure from his peers to botch the case, giving into racial prejudice, while facing the prospect of persecution if his actions follow otherwise. Even so, Atticus defies stereotypes in not only striving to clear Mr. Robinson’s name, but nearly succeeding in accomplishing such an unprecedented task. However, as a result of his legal dealings, Atticus and his household are targeted with the berrating of neighbors, friends, and even family leading up to the case. Scout and Jem cannot venture outside their street without the repeated negative assertions of the town, one neighbor yelling “Your father’s no better than the n***** trash he works for(135).” In such environments lies Atticus’ brave dealing of the situation. He, despite the judgement of others, presses forth to the end, his persistence only matched by his continuous empathetic treatment of others. Setting an example for his children, Atticus proves that bravery can be achieved not only through bold and courageous acts but quiet and steadfast doings. Atticus also demonstrates bravery amidst the heat of the Tom Robinson case. As he defined during Mrs. Dubose’s era, Atticus considers bravery to be “when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what(149).” With a southern-grown, all-white judge and jury, Tom Robinson has literally no