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To kill a mockingbird quotes on courage
To kill a mockingbird quotes on courage
To kill a mockingbird quotes on courage
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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 …show more content…
he breaks isolation and goes out to save Jem and Scout. First, Atticus shows courage at a moral level to become one of the most courageous characters of the novel.
He believes in courage on a more intellectual level, not as an idea that can be proved with a weapon. Atticus doesn't want to show that he is courageous for being able to shoot a crazy dog, dead with one shot, but shooting isn't really Atticus' idea of courage. His idea shows that "courage is not a man with a gun in his hand, courage is when you fight for what is right regardless of whether you win or lose." (Lee,116). Atticus stands for his own beliefs ,of courage, by defending Tom Robinson who is a black man and has been wrongly accused of raping a white woman . Atticus believes in Tom's innocence, so he must defend him against the whole town. Although he knows that it is an unwinnable fight ,his courage allows him to go against people's prejudice in order to stand for his own believes. He teaches his children, Jem and Scout, that being courageous is standing up for what you think is right no matter what others believe "courage is when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what"(Lee, 112). Although Atticus is criticized for what he decides, he bravely denies other peoples' dislike and summons his courage to realize that there is a great need for his involvement to achieve
justice. Second, Mrs.Dubose shows her courage on an emotional level when she decides to achieve her final goal to free herself of morphine addiction before her life comes to an end. However she is a sick old woman waiting for death, she keeps her strong spirit and belief that she has a flaw and she must fix it to make it go away. Mrs. Dubose displays her internal courage in a situation where most people would surrender to addiction. She is also courageous in silence as no one is aware of her suffering. She chooses not to burden anyone with her problems while she is challenging death through her determination to leave this world free of addiction. People become aware and surprised of her courage only after her passing away because they only know her as a sick old lady. Mrs. Dubose is also courageous because she goes through a withdrawal period that is difficult to survive, and achieves her goal before she dies. Although she dies almost right after she becomes free. It takes a great amount of self-confidence to be able to recognize that one has a flaw and even more to do something about it."Mrs. Dubose won, all ninety-eight pounds of her. According to her views, she died beholden to nothing and nobody. She was the bravest person I ever knew." (Ch. 11) Finally, Boo Radley demonstrates the act of courage on a physical level when he bravely saved Scout and Jem from Bob Ewell . It is courageous of Boo to give up his loneliness to be publicly seen after too many years of hiding. All the townspeople viewed him as a monster who haunts people and eats raw animals. Jem describes Boo as something like a monster however he is actually a shy and innocent person who doesn't find a chance to experience the world around him like others due to his isolation "I hope you've got it through your head that he'll kill us each and every one, Dill Harris. Don't blame me when he gouges your eyes out."(Lee,17). Boo tries to reach out to the outside world while observing Scout and Jem playing by his house by leaving them little gifts. One night he saves the children from Bob Ewell by stabbing him and rushes with Jim to Atticus' house. It took him a lot of courage to break his isolation by touching Jem , holding Scout's hand and even staying with the sheriff and Atticus after a long time of no human contact other than his brother. In conclusion, through the events of this novel, each character shows his own special meaning of courage on his own specific way. Atticus doesn't care about what people said about Tom Robinson as long as he believes in his innocence . He tries to help him although the people were against it. Mrs. Dubose doesn't give up to the addiction and wants to carry out her dream of dying free from addiction. Finally, Boo Radley saves Jem and Scout, however he has to pay by showing himself to the outside world. In the end I think that the most courageous character in this novel is Atticus Finch because he fits into his own definition of courage and shows how to be really courageous aiming to teach his children what it real meaning of courage.
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.
Courage in To Kill a Mockingbird In To Kill a Mockingbird, by author Harper Lee, several of the characters in the book share a similar character trait. Atticus Finch, Mrs. Dubose and Boo Radley all show courage throughout the book in their own individual ways. In different events, all three characters were faced with a challenge that they could either turn away from and accept or try to defeat. In Lee’s novel, a few of the main events that occur in the book include Atticus Finch defending a black man, Mrs. Dubose is challenged with overcoming an addiction, and Boo Radley must brave the outdoors to save the Radley children. Throughout the book, the characters change and one begins to understand what life in the small town of Maycomb is like, as the Finch family and friends grow and mature throughout the events happening while encountering social prejudice, courage, and the mockingbirds of life.
Without courageous people, human society would not progress. This is evident in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, whereby a few heroic individuals inspire transformations in a racist community. One of the characters who shows bravery is Tom Robinson. Even though he knows he will most likely lose, he goes on trial and fights for justice and truth. Another person who displays inner strength is Boo Radley. He is able to break out of his comfort zone and stand up for what is right, despite his fear. The most daring character in the novel is Atticus Finch. Although most of the town is against him, he continues onward and faces hatred with dignity and respect. Each of these extraordinary individuals represent Harper Lee’s belief that real courage is doing the right thing, even if it requires standing up against the majority.
"Courage isn't an absence of fear. It's doing what you are afraid to do. It's having the power to let go of the familiar and forge ahead into new territory." ~John Maxwell. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout (Jean Louise Finch), Jem (Jeremy Atticus Finch), and Atticus Finch display acts of valor that contribute, and in some cases encourage their rectitude. Harper Lee demonstrates that acting courageously can lead to an improved, sustained, or newly developed personal integrity.
Courage exists in several forms in Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. As defined by Atticus Finch, real courage is “.when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what” (149). The novel explores the how this real courage can be shown in different ways through the lives of many characters in Maycomb, particularly, Tom Robinson, Mrs. Dubose, and Atticus. Their courage is evident through their lifestyle, actions, and beliefs. One of the characters who showed real courage is Tom Robinson.
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.
As Martin Luther King Jr. quotes in A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that” (qtd.in. Goodreads.com). Atticus’ words of wisdom for the duration of To Kill a Mockingbird are used as a guiding light for not only his children, but the nation as a whole during the Civil Rights Movement. Through the 1950’s and 60’s African-Americans all over the U.S. were fighting to end Jim Crow Laws. Their movement inspired many and was what also influenced by Harper Lee’s to write her first literary work. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Lee uses the character Atticus Finch as a moral compass to show that true courage comes from
"Courage is when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what" According to Atticus Finch, an honest lawyer in Harper Lee's novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" courage is not a man with a gun in his hand. "Real courage" is when you fight for what is right regardless of whether you win or lose. Atticus fits into this definition of what "real courage" is and demonstrates it several times throughout the novel.
Atticus Finch shows, in many ways, the true definition of a hero, but no situation was more important than the Tom Robinson trial. In Maycomb, the thought of taking a negro’s word instead of a white man’s was ridiculous to the citizens, especially over a matter as serious as a black man raping a white woman. Regardless of this information, Atticus still takes on Tom Robinson’s case and tries to make as big of a difference as possible. When Scout asks him if he thinks that he will win the case, Atticus subtly replies “No, honey” (76). Atticus goes on to explain, “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try and win” (76). Basically, Atticus believes that just because it is unlikely that he will win, it does not mean that he should just give up without trying. Throughout all the discrimination, Atticus remains tough and tries to achieve his goal, no matter how hard it is. This was an example of moral courage. Even Scout knows how hard her father is trying by comparing Atticus’ efforts to “watching Atticus walk down the street, raise a rifle to his shoulder and pull the trigger, but...
Courage is valued in many ways. It is measured by bravery, heroism, physical strength, and morally correct behavior. The world mostly defines courage as having physical strength and being brave. Atticus, Scout, and Jem show many acts of courage through the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. They all have different views and opinions on courage. The novel is told from the point of view of Scout. She, and her brother Jem, live with their widowed father in Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930’s. Their father, Atticus, is also a lawyer who defends his black client, Tom Robinson, who is innocent of rape. The title To Kill A Mockingbird explains that “it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” because they “make music for us to enjoy” (Lee 119). In other words, the mockingbirds are harmless and have never done anything wrong. It would be considered a sin to kill a harmless and peaceful mockingbird. Similarly, accusing an innocent and
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.
To many people, courage means bravery and admiration. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, it teaches us there is a different type of courage – moral courage. Moral courage means doing the right thing even if it risks disoblige, reputation, punishment, or being laughed at. The theme of moral courage seems underlying at first in the book, but through the actions of some characters it becomes apparent. Atticus Finch a lawyer, widower, and father shows this theme by defending and guarding a black man. Another character that shows the theme of moral courage is Ms. Dubose, a frail old lady, who was a drug addict fighting a battle with morphine. Through the interactions with these characters, Scout and Jem learn that courage is different than they expect it to.
“It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but just as much to stand up to your friends,” remarks J.K. Rowling in her book Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Jem Finch, a boy from a small town in the South struggles to fully understand this idea. To Kill a Mockingbird suggests that real courage is standing up for others regardless of the what it may cost you. As a young boy, Jem’s understanding of courage and bravery are wrapped up in how others might view you, rather than who you really are inside. A little later he sees courage as having a clean record with others. Then Jem learns that courage is not giving up on someone or something even if you know you’re probably not going to win. Finally, Jem uses
To Kill A Mocking Bird-courage 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 " The only thing we've got is a black man's word against the Ewells'. The evidence boils down to you-did-I-didn't. The jury couldn't possibly be expected to take Tom Robinson's word against the Ewells'.