Essay On To Kill A Mockingbird Courage

To Kill a Mockingbird and Courage

To have courage is to have strength in the face of odds. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, memorable characters including Atticus Finch, Scout, and Jem, explore civil rights and racism in the southern United States of the 1930s. Told through the eyes of a six-year-old, Scout Finch explores her father’s trial and Boo Radley, a mysterious neighbor, who saves Scout and her brother from being killed. Her father, an attorney, gave all of what he has to prove the innocence of a black man unjustly accused of rape. True courage goes far beyond the physical act; it shows integrity and perseverance, and willingness to do what is right even when it seems impossible.
Many times courage is used to
help a friend or a family member, but this book shows the reader that courage does not have to be for a close friend, but it can be for someone who longs for it most. Harper Lee shows that having courage is hard to do, especially when the odds are far from on your side. Also, she uses many of the characters and the circumstances in her novel to demonstrate all facets of courage. In Maycomb’s strict conditions, it is brave to hold views different from those of others. Atticus says that having courage is “when you are licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through.” Not only does Atticus say this, but he puts it into full force.
Lee shows that Atticus is the perfect example of courage.
Atticus Finch does not like criminal law, yet he accepts the offer to Tom Robinson’s case. He steadfastly believes in Tom’s case and while any person can look in the evidence in the case and also realize Tom did not commit the crime, the racial prejudices in this time era prevent most white people from doing so. The townsfolk turn their anger toward Atticus for defending Tom, but that doesn't stop him from doing everything he can do to ensure that Tom gets a fair trial. Atticus’ passion for justice is the true meaning of courage. He stands up for her beliefs and is against racism unlike many other residents of Maycomb which in itself is
bravery.
Atticus describes Mrs. Dubose as one of the most courageous people he knows. Having been a morphine addict, she chose to go through her final days of life without being tied to anyone or anything. Her willingness to face her illness head-on despite knowing that it's going to take her life is very courageous. Atticus also describes what real courage is with Miss Maudie. She uses her sharp tongue to counter gossip and Scout comments that “Miss Maudie's voice was enough to shut somebody up.” This shows that she stands up for her beliefs rather than following the guidelines Maycomb has set. Another example of when she shows courage is when her home catches fire. Instead of stressing, she carries on with life peacefully. Harper Lee emphasizes Miss Maudie’s selflessness. She is knowledgable and shows Scout and Jem that sometimes life will contain suffering, but you just have to let it go.
Another character in the book that holds courage is Scout. Scout learns many lessons of bravery from her dad throughout the novel. Scout and Jem tolerate a barrage of racial insults by the people. Atticus teaches Scout that doing the right thing does not always meaning going with the “normal” way of doing it. He shaped their early childhood, ensuring they will grow up to love equality and be hopeful for racism in their town. Throughout the story, Scout learns to look at things from another person’s point of view. In the end of the book, Scout can put herself in Boo Radley’s shoes, the person she feared most in the story. Although Scout and Jem do everything together, Jem is much older and learns more life-lessons about courage and bravery. At the start of the novel, Jem's idea of bravery is touching the side of the Radley house. As the story progresses, Jem learns from Atticus facing a mad dog, Mrs. Dubose's fight with addiction, and many other scenarios. One of Jem's most courageous acts is when the crowd confronts Atticus and want to kill him and Tom Robinson. Jem refuses to obey his father for the first time in his life. Jem exhibits great courage when denying the request of leaving from his father. He knows that he might die, but he is courageous and tries to protect his father. Dolphus Raymond is always described drinking by the blacks. He is mocked by the whole town and doesn’t let that push him back. Near the end of the book, the reader realizes that he is never drinking, he only uses that as an excuse for staying with the blacks. He sees no segregation in the town, and he goes against the standards to talk with the blacks. To have courage is to do what is right, and Dolphus Raymond did what he knows is best for him and the ones who are treated differently. In the end of the book, Boo Radley saves the day and is completely out of his “bubble.” Throughout the story, Boo Radley never leaves his house because it is his safe-haven. All the kids in the neighborhood make fun of him and only the bravest have walked up his steps. In the end of the book, Jem and Scout are almost killed, but Boo Radley saves them. The fact that Boo Radley left his house is very courageous, but the fact that he saved the lives of two children is outstanding. On top of everything he did for the Finch’s, he also wanted no acknowledgement of his acts. Boo Radley is a hero. In class, we discussed the different traits of being courageous.
We looked at many scenarios that include a courageous acts of some sort. After examining the acts, we came to a conclusion that the actor must be aware of the action before risking his/her life for it. There also has to be a risk, for example, the actor can not be trained or prepared for the situation. Overall, the courageous must be done for the good of another person. In To Kill a Mockingbird, everything is done out of love which is why this book is described as a love story. Not only do the characters love what they are doing, but they love the people they are surrounded by. The group in the book that is against
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