Courage

Courage works differently in everyone and everyone has a special kind of courage. Harper Lee concentrated on Atticus Finch, Jean Louise Finch (Scout), and Tom Robinson’s courage throughout the novel to kill a Mockingbird. Living in a racist town, these three characters have one thing in common, having the courage to be outstanding. Taking on the Tom Robinson case took courage, the courage Atticus Finch has. Living in a very racist town and taking on the trial of a falsely accused black man is a very brave act. Atticus Finch represented his own courage, the courage to say, “It’s when your licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what” (84). Even though Atticus knew they would not win the case, he still tries his very best to defend Tom and risk his name being slandered across Maycomb. Atticus shows very strong moral courage. Five year old Jean Louise Finch (Scout) has the courage of no normal five year old. Dealing with her father’s name getting slandered across Maycomb is when Scout starts to acknowledge her courageous side. “I drew a bead on him, remembered what Atticus had said, then dropped my fists then walked away, ‘Scout’s a coward!’ ringing in my ears. It was the first time I ever walked away from a fight” (84). Not fighting with her classmate who vilifies her father’s name was a beginning for how fortified Scout becomes. She learns that you can not beat everyone up who mocks her or her family, so she receives the courage to walk away from arrogant and condescending people. Bang, bang, bang was what Tom Robinson heard. Guilty or not Tom ran, showing his true courage to withstand getting falsely accused of raping a white woman. Not knowing what the future held for Tom, he still held his head high until the last of his trial. ‘Mr. Finch, I tried to ‘thout bein’ ugly to her. I didn’t wanta be ugly, I didn’t wanta push her or nuthin.’ Until my father explained it to me later, I did not understand the subtlety of Tom’s predicament: He would not have dared strike a white woman under any circumstances and expect to live long, so he took the first opportunity to run-a sure sign of guilt (207).
Tom Robinson also showed his courage by not hitting Mayella, but instead ran away from the temptation. His courage may be different but it still is a form of courage. Atticus Finch, Jean Louise Finch (Scout), and Tom Robinson’s courage may be different but in a way they all have the same courageous spirit. From ignoring ones name getting slandered, to walking away from fights, to being able to handle getting falsely accused is all part of courage. Now think to yourself, what courage do you have?