Theme Of Courage In To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill A Mockingbird is a book about courage to what extent do you agree with this?

Courage is defined as "the quality of mind or spirit enabling one to meet danger or opposition with fearlessness." 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." (pg.121). Harper Lee clearly portrays the theme of courage in her novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. One likes to think of a hero, as strong, brave, and meeting all challenges head on. All the characters in this book have a different view as to what courage

The word “courage” has many definitions. Some people say that courage is being able to face one's own fears, while others say that courage is a person with a strong heart. Harper Lee exhibits true courage as standing up for what one believes in even when it signifies imperilling something precious.

In today's society, courage is defined as the ability to succeed without changing who we are as a person or what we believe in hoot courage, justice is weak and society is corrupt. In Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize winning novel "To Kill a Mockingbird', courage is presented through the characters Atticus Finch and Mrs Henry Lafayette Dubose as they confront their issues and embrace life regardless of what others think. Harper Lee constructed her narrative during a time of prejudice and injustice against Black Americans; hence courage was vital to overcome the racial discrimination many faced Both Atticus and Mrs Dubose along with the crucial events in the novel teach Jean Louise Finch, as well as the audience, the significance of courage and create an understanding that courage exists in several forms, Courage is often seen as the physical bravery an individual can display in a fearful H ever, it is also when an individual knows there is no chance of winning, but continues to fight for what they believe in. Harper Lee constructs a masculine image of this type of courage through Atticus and his handling of the mad dog incident. When comparing Atticus to the other fathers in Maycomb, Jam and Scout think of him as old and feeble' though the mad dog occurrence reveals a side of him that had not yet been discovered by his children; that he was once the best marksman the town with the name of one shot Finch'. Heck Tate insists that Atticus should kill the diseased animal even though

A remarkable American soldier and author named William T. Sherman once stated, “Courage, a perfect sensibility of the measure of danger, and a mental willingness to endure It.” Going against what society says and sticking to your beliefs is an act of courage. In the realistic fiction novel, ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee, an average southern family, the Finches, fights against the racism of a small town. Harper Lee’s message is expressed by symbolism through the two characters Tom Robinson and Boo Radley, the bildungsroman of Scout, and the hero archetype of Atticus .Harper Lee portrays that courage should be shown through loyalty not popularity.

“Real courage is when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.” Atticus Finch. This quote is proved to be true in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee as it demonstrates the true definition of courage. The book takes you along the journey of young girl, Scout Finch, during a time where colored people are thought less of. She experiences this first hand as her father, Atticus Finch, has been assigned to defend a colored man who has been accused of raping a white female. Scout along with her elder brother Jem, learn the definition of courage through some of the characters and how they act to the events that occur before and after the trial. In Harper Lee’s, To Kill a Mockingbird, many characters are great examples of trusting yourself when all odds are stacked against you. Throughout the novel the characters that display courage are Atticus Finch, Tom Robinson and Boo Radley.

Moreover, every other character in the story can be said to have courage, especially Atticus. The book revolves around Atticus and how he has no fear to defend a black man. Atticus is a lawyer that always had justice and never accepts injustice. He defends a black man named “Tom Robinson” who is accused of rapping a white girl whose own father had infact raped. “I’m simply defending a negro his name’s Tom Robinson” “The main one is, if I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this country in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again” (Lee,100). These quotes show that Atticus is not afraid and is brave enough to hold his head up in town even if he defended Tom, an inferior in their society. It also shows how well educated and mature he is that he even connects his job to his kids and he always tries to be good to be the best in his kids’ eyes. He wanted his kids to get along with other people and for them to learn courage from them like Mrs. Dubose, for example.

A significant representation of courage is seen within Atticus.  Within To Kill A Mockingbird Atticus speaks of the Tom Robinson trial as a trial all lawyers fear.  He must face a court case that will have a profound personal effect upon himself and his family.  Atticus summons the courage to recognize that there is a need for justice and that it is his duty to achieve this.  Maycomb is a town tainted with stereotypes and racism.  Atticus has the courage to overcome the fear of other peoples' dislike.  He must face the fear of straining the lives of his two young children and family name.  The courage Atticus embodies stems from his "satisfactory" character.  Atticus is righteous and unable to turn his back on those who truly rely upon his ability to show empathy.  He overcomes the heartless comments of those around them, to see the necessity of his involvement.

In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, courage can be found in every chapter and on almost every page of this book. Virtually every character in this book posses courageous qualities. In this novel, the Finches' are just a few of the people who endure harsh blows over about a three year period. However, each and every one of them step up to the plate with courage ready to strike. Atticus especially shows courage when he agrees to defend Tom Robinson. Atticus did not have to take this case, and everything that accompanies it. However, Atticus wanted to prove that being prejudice and racist is undoubtfully wrong. To try and convey this message was a difficult take to preform, but Atticus wanted the people of Maycomb to understand why he felt this way. Another charater who clearly shows courage is Boo Radley. Boo Radley was the person who killed Bob Ewell. Boo Radley did this because Bob Ewell was trying to kill Jem and Scout. Boo Radley, beyond a shadow of doubt, walked into that situation

Atticus defines courage as “when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.” This is a very important message to carry in life (especially life in Maycomb). Often Atticus’ acts of courage are subtle yet, still with purpose. Quietly and methodically is the way Atticus shows his courage. He is steady and strong when he kills the rabid dog. He sits quietly in front of the jail when the mob of men come to demand Tom Robinson. These are both cases of standing up to/for something in the face of danger. Atticus also shows courage when he takes the court case. He knows exactly how the townspeople feel about african americans yet he still takes it knowing that everyone deserves a fair trial. The community even turn their anger towards him but Atticus doesn't budge. Scout ask why he had taken the case if he knew he wasn't going to win and Atticus said, "For a number of reasons. The main one is, if I didn't I couldn't hold up my head in town, I couldn't represent this county in the legislature, I couldn't even tell you or Jem not to do something again." This shows immense courage as he does the right thing despite knowing that himself and his family will be cast out from their own community in the process. He is courageous in the fact that he thinks justice is more important than any personal harm/issues that could come from defending Tom. Throughout the whole novel Atticus’ values and beliefs don't waver which truly shows what type of person he really is. Atticus also taught Jem and Scout not to judge others

The definition of courage according to the Canadian Dictionary is “the strength of mind to control fear and act firmly in the face of danger or difficulties. In the book To Kill A Mockingbird written by Harper Lee, courage represents a different definition. It is said by the character Atticus Finch that courage is “when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what” (ch. 11 pg. 128). Courage shines throughout the character's Aunt Alexandra, Arthur (Boo) Radley, and Atticus Finch. These three characters show the most courage because even through hard times they keep their ground and do not show any source of anger or fear.

When the word “courage” is presented, many different visions of it come to mind. Maybe fierce warriors riding in to battle, or perhaps world leaders, who have to speak in front of millions. People have different ideas of the word because there really are different definitions of it. But in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, the main characters all share a similar idea of it, as portrayed by their actions and words throughout the book. This definition is the ability to do the right thing, even if it is dangerous or difficult. The characters who show courage include Boo Radley, Scout, and Atticus. Although they are very different characters including gender, age, and personality, their actions all portray a similar concept of courage.

“Courage is when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what” (112). According to Atticus Finch, a wise honourable lawyer in Harper Lee’s novel To Kill A Mockingbird, courage is not a man with a gun in his hand. True courage is standing up for what one believes in until the very end. Atticus faces multiple occasions where he must choose between just and justice such as his disposition to defend Tom Robinson and contradict his morals. Scout, through her brave actions, overcomes her age boundary.

• Calpurnia’s act of courage shows when she takes Jem and Scout to First Purchase African M.E. Church. In my point of view I think Calpurnia did a courageous act because not knowing what could happen to Jem and Scout she still took the risk of taking them. Once they got there a member from First Purchase African M.E. Church named Lula disliked them because they were white “Lula stopped, but she said, ‘You ain’ t got no business bringin’ white chillun here – they got their church we got our’n.’’(119) This quote shows courage as well as prejudice. It makes the kids feel unwelcome and make them want to leave.

Harper Lee’s novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” exemplifies how the concepts of courage, as well as fear, are used as catalysts for the actions of Maycomb’s citizens to achieve an objective. Throughout the novel, it is seen that true courage is only achieved by overcoming fear. For example, Atticus’ determination to ameliorate Tom Robinson’s strife exists because at one point in the novel, Atticus felt Tom Robinson was in grave danger from a lynch mob wanting to kill him. Mrs Dubose’s fear of not being able to be rid of her morphine addiction sparked an overwhelming desire to do so, and consequently, she faced much adversity in her last moments of life. On the other hand, there are other cases where courage is not the objective at all.