"to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand" (112). In the book, To Kill a Mockingbird Atticus shows Jem what courage is in many ways. Referring to the quote, we see that Atticus is telling Jem that courage is not always a man with a gun in his hand. Courage is defined in this book as doing what is right. Even if it means you are on the losing side. This is defined by Atticus as he takes the Tom Robinson case knowing it will separate himself and his family from the community. He also shows courage by again taking the case and knowing he will lose that case. Even though Atticus faced the entire towns disbelief and fury for defending Tom with all his being, he made sure he got a fair …show more content…
That must have been nerve racking waiting for an angry mob to come looking for something you are protecting, but not as courageous as what happened after the mob did show. Jem develops in his thoughts over courage throughout the book. As the book develops, so does Jem's ideal of courage. Jem, in the beginning, he believes courage is touching the Radley house. Then we see it change to seeing Atticus face a mad dog. Next we read about Jem's courage while facing Mrs. Dubose's problems and learning to deal and cooperate with her. One of his most notable courage act is the jail scene. In this scene, Jem and Scout show up at the jail to defend their father who is surrounded by an angry mob. Jim deliberately disobeys his father's command to leave and he stays with him showing he will not leave his father. Another person who acts courageously at the jail is Scout. Scout is unknowingly brave in many ways. She is so innocent that she does not let all the hatred and prejudice swirling around her in a vortex affect her. Also in the jail scene, Scout unknowingly displays courage as she stands up to the mob in front of the jail. She uses
Atticus is guarding the jailhouse to make sure no one hurts Tom Robinson before his trial, when he is approached by Walter Cunningham and his fellow goons. Atticus shows his bravery by standing his ground for what he believes is right in front of his son. When Scout lashes out to her father’s side, Jem holds onto her and tries to stop her from interfering. Then Jem refuses to go home and stands up for his father’s side although the odds were against them, while trying to protect his sister from harm. In page 152, chapter 15, Scout says, “... but from the way he stood, Jem was not thinking of budging.” This shows us that Jem has matured from the boy who would do anything if dared, to a young man who can barricade his emotions and proceed with reason in difficult situations.
To have courage is to be brave in the face of adversity. After the death of Mrs Dubose, Atticus uses the fact to show Jem how she had influenced him in her lifetime. When Jem returns from tearing up Mrs Dubose’s camellias in a fit of rage, Atticus sends him straight back over to apologize to the old lady for his actions. In return to her for his mistakes, Jem was to make it up to her, by coming over and reading to her everyday for a month. As Jem makes his way through the long days, he finds it very hard to cope.
When Atticus asks Jem to take Scout and Dill home, they refuse to leave him behind and stand by him. Scout is also protective of her brother Jem and shows courage when she defends him when Jem is picked on and grabbed at by a man from the lynch mob as is shown when Scout says "Ain't nobody gonna do Jem that way,". This quote shows the bravery Scout can show when she is defending someone that she cares about and how she does not allow her fear stop her from doing the right thing. Lee conveys courage in this event by using Scout as an example by showing that she would defend the people she cares about even though she is
"I wanted to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun." What kinds of heroism and courage are shown in To Kill a Mockingbird? Discuss.
If you say no you’re not, I’m goin’ anyway, hear (lee 125)? This quote is an example of courage because Jem is brave enough to risk his life to go with Scout down to the jail. His courage here pushes the plot forward because if he and Scout did not sneak down to the jail then they would never know their dad Atticus is helping an African American in a court case This is important because when this book was written black and white people had different rights. Another example of Jem having courage is when they snuck into the courtroom. Jme had said“ Happily, we sped ahead of Reverend Skye's to the courtroom floor” (Lee 138) while going into the courtroom where Atticus was giving his final statement.This quote proves Jem is courageous because Atticus did not want him and Scout in the courtroom because they could lose their innocence. As well as having courage Jem pushes the plot forward in this part of the book because once he finds out the verdict his ways of thinking about life changes. While his views are changing he forms another theme of you should not hurt those who aren't hurting you. He believes in this theme because he believes the verdict is wrong and that not only did the Ewell lie on the oath but the fact that they only won be sue of their skin
From her front porch, Jem just sees her as a bitter old lady however, once he gets close up to her he realizes what bad condition she is in and how frail she is. The fact that Jem does not know about Mrs. Dubose’s illness also shows her courage because she is fighting her horrible illness without the support of her community. After Mrs. Dubose dies, Atticus reveals that Mrs. Dubose wanted to die free and that she is the bravest person he has ever known. During a conversation between Atticus and Jem, Atticus says “I wanted you to see what real courage is... It’s when you know you’re licked but you begin anyway...
Courage is shown by different characters in varying ways throughout the novel. These characters are Jem, Boo Radley, Mrs. Dubose and Atticus. Jem shows a small amount of courage when Atticus decides to face a lynch mob. Jem understands who they are and what they want to do, but he still refuses to go home and remains to defend his father. Boo Radley also shows courage by putting all his fears of the outside world behind him to save Jem and Scout's lives.
It took an unimaginable amount of courage for Atticus to take the Tom Robinson case knowing he and his children would be harassed by all the other townspeople. For instance, when “My folks said your daddy was a disgrace an' that nigger oughta hang from the water tank” (105). Also, Atticus knew he had a very low chance of succeeding in winning the case, but he took it anyways. He knows the town will think differently about him solely because he is defending a black man. He also knows that his children will be shown a lot of hatred. Even knowing this, Atticus takes the case and tries his best. Not only did he know he would take hatred, he also knew he would lose. But, he knew this case would define who he was “every lawyer gets at least one case in his lifetime that affects him personally”(96). While talking to the Judge he knows that he will most likely not win, but that does not change his mind. He knows just because Tom Robinson is black that he will not win. The Jury will see the white man who claims his white daughter was raped and believe him with no doubt. No matter what Atticus says to try to change the jury’s mind, he knows he can only try his best. To summarize, Atticus shows courage knowing not only that the town would hate him, but also that he would lose the
Atticus continues to speak of true courage, the ability to use your head in a mental battle, rather than using your fists in a physical battle. In chapter 15, Atticus hurries to the local jail to protect Tom Robinson from an incoming mob. When Jem sees Atticus depart, he follows even though he does not understand where Atticus is going. When Jem realizes, he courageously stays to support his father and Tom, and sees how Atticus does so without physically fighting the mob. This example shows the courage that Atticus values.
"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.
Atticus is going up against all of the odds. Atticus shows courage through standing up against the standard of society. A black man could have never won against a white man. Atticus knows that the case could harm his reputation as a lawyer and a man, but is courageous enough to attempt to give Tom Robinson justice. As a final point, Atticus shows his courage through raising two children as a single parent. Atticus is what the children look up to. When Heck is trying to prove Bob Ewell fell on his knife, Atticus says this about his kids, “Sometimes I think I’m a total failure as a parent, but I’m all they’ve got. Before Jem looks at anyone else he looks at me, and I’ve tried to live so I can look squarely back at him…” (Lee 273). Atticus tells Heck that raising his kids by himself is hard. He always has to set the perfect example for his children because he wants them to be successful. Atticus has to be courageous at any challenge his kids present him. He is their role model. Atticus shows her courage by being his kids hero, and the perfect father through horrible
In addition, Jem is faced with a courageous situation in regards to the Radley house. His courage stems from fear of receiving a whipping from Atticus, and more important, his disapproval. Jem is willing to risk his life in order to save his father from showing disappointment. The threat of Mr. Radley waiting for the intruder with his gun instills fear within Jem. However, Jem overcomes this fear in order to sustain Atticus' faith. Being the only and eldest son places pressure upon Jem to set an example and implant pride within his father. The possibility of being shot is an obstacle Jem must overcome with mental courage, which he does. Lastly, Jem also shows mental courage when he stops himself from bragging about Atticus and how he was a very good shooter. When Atticus shot the mad dog, Jem found out that his father was a very good shooter and he wanted to tell everyone in school about it. But, he knew that Atticus did not consider a man with a gun in his hand real courage and so Jem kept quiet and did not brag about it, which took mental discipline and courage on his part.
For example, when Atticus reveals that Mrs. Dubose was a morphine addict, he said that she, “meant to break herself of it before she died, and that’s what she did” (111). Although the scene may seem insignificant, it teaches Jem and Scout that bravery is found in many different ways and situations. Also, after Boo Radley saved Jem and Scout while being attacked by Bob Ewell, Atticus said, “ Thank you for my children, Arthur” (276). Boo’s courage to step in and kill Mr. Ewell is what saved the lives of Jem and Scout. All in all, To Kill a Mockingbird holds many of different instances of courage and
Courage is strength. Courage is honesty. Courage is standing one’s ground no matter what. Courage is standing up for others. In Harper Lee’s classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout and Jem Finch, along with their father Atticus, live in Maycomb County, a small, mainly racist town in Alabama during the Great Depression. The Finch family’s neighbor, Mrs. Dubose, and Atticus display acts of personal courage in the story. Specifically, Mrs. Dubose displays courage in her honesty and strength, and Atticus displays courage in his responses to racism based threats and keeping others safe.
Jem is one of the characters who shows courage many times by confronting a situation or accepting a difficult challenge.For