Jasper Jones Courage Quotes

To be courageous, it doesn't mean you have to save a city, or fight against an evil villain (although being courageous). To be courageous, all you have to do is be brave and express yourself. In the book "Jasper Jones", Charlie shows courage by doing just that! The book “Jasper Jones”, written by Craig Silvey that has been awarded the Michael Printz Award, starts off with the main character, Charlie, who soon to his un knowing, is being called upon by someone knocking on his window. He looked over and saw him… Jasper Jones. Jasper was considered by the town as a hooligan, a good for nothing, a criminal. But, Jasper needed his help. Charlie, then, goes with Jasper and starts what would be an adventure of twists and turns, truth and

lie, what's inside himself as a person and courage, that must be needed to contain this secret among secrets in a small town called Corrington. So, as I read this I ask myself, has Charlie changed since the start of the book to muster this courage? Has his attitude to this town called Corrington changed? Has he changed as a person? And that's what led me to this.

Charlie displays courage throughout the book “Jasper Jones” in many ways, and that can be seen throughout the book very clearly.

One way he has been showing courage the throughout the book was by keeping the secret of Laura Wishart, and not telling anyone. That alone takes a lot of courage to be able to keep that big of a secret hidden. Another thing that he does that displays courage is when at the start he went with Jasper Jones, and snuck out of his house “This is the first time I’ve ever dared to sneak away from home. The thrill of this, coupled with the fact that Jasper Jones needs my help, already fills the moment with something portentous.” (2, Silvey). The reason why that shows courage is because he would be helping someone who the whole town is against and sneaking out of his household with the cost of being caught after curfew! That is why that takes a lot of courage. Another way Charlie shows courage is by being able to talk to Eliza with the fact of knowing her sister is dead and not telling “Yeah. Well it's less suspicious than pretending to browse outside a bookstore. What's that supposed to mean? She shifts her weight into one leg and tilts her head.” (90, Silvey). Why this shows courage is because Charlie was able to manage a conversation with Eliza, who he liked, and was able to not tell anything about Laura. That takes a lot of courage. Charlie displays courage in. The book as well by standing up to her mother; “And I march off, with her close behind. I don't know what's wrong with me.” (96, Silvey). The reason why this shows courage was because he was able to express how he feels to his mom, which took a lot of

courage.

Charlie's attitude has changed throughout the book in many ways. One way his attitude had changed was on the town of Corrigan. At the beginning of the book, he did not think of Corrigan for what he thought at the end, a horrible, terrible, corrupt place. “Of course, Corrigan was ruthless.” (257, Silvey). This shows that Charlie's view of Corrigan has changed since the start of the book because he doesn't see it for what he used to. Charlie also changed his view and attitude on his mother since the start of the book, “Your hair looks nice today, I say. This has her whirling dervish around.” (46, Silvey). “My mother has become so hard. Its perplexing. She's always been curt and impatient, but there used to be warmth beneath it all.” (99, Silvey). Why this shows that his attitude changed towards his mother is that he no longer thinks of her as being somewhat nice, now he sees her for being mean and a jerk.

Charlie has contributed to the book by adding these acts of courage that without them, would make the book a lot less interesting. One of the ways Charlie had contributed to the book was when he went with Jasper Jones. “The thrill of this, coupled with the fact Jasper Jones needs my help,” (2, Silvey). Why this has contributed to the book is because if he hadn't went with Jasper, there wouldn't even be a book, or the mystery of Laura would never happen. Imagine if Jasper just went to Charlie's window and Charlie just looked at him and just stare at him blankly and say “Nah” and shut the window. That would be bad. Charlie also contributes to the book by clearing everything up with Mad Jack Lionel.(Silvey, 240). Why this contributes to the book is because it clears up any thoughts we had about Mad Jack Lionel, and also clears up the story of Jasper and Mad Jack Lionel.

In conclusion, Charlie shows more and more courage throughout the book Jasper Jones as well as his attitude towards the town of Corrigan, his mother, Jasper, and Eliza. He also contributes to the book in a positive way throughout by adding interesting detail, and explaining some confusion that had happened. But most importantly, we can tell very clearly that Charlie had changed throughout the book! So, what is the definition of courage? Is it just an act of bravery, or is it something that happens overtime. Is it a trait, or an event, or a one time thing? There may be many forms of courage, but which one will you choose?