How Does Bob Ewell Show Courage In To Kill A Mockingbird

Courage is shown by standing up for what is morally right and true. However, courage can be driven by different beliefs and emotions which lead people to do brave things that may have positive or negative effects. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, three characters, Bob Ewell, Jem and Atticus demonstrate the different ways courage is driven and the many effects of having courage. Bob Ewell shows how anger can drive courage and how this anger-driven courage can be perceived as cruelty. For example, Bob Ewell goes up to Atticus, spits in his face and calls him a “nigger-lovin’ bastard” (291). Bob Ewell is courageous to openly admit that he despises Atticus, which leads Atticus and others to believe Bob Ewell is temperamental and rude. It takes courage for one to admit that they do not like someone, but it also causes others to view the person as angry and
For example, when an angry mob comes to lynch Tom Robinson, Atticus firmly tells them to go home and leave Tom alone (201-202). Although many people consider it wrong for a white man to protect a black man, Atticus knows it is morally right to protect anyone that is in danger. Sometimes, in order to be courageous and stand up for what is right, one must remain calm and educate others about why their thinking may be wrong. In addition, Atticus addresses the jury and says that they are racists because they believe “...[the] evil assumption—that all Negroes lie, that all Negroes are basically immoral beings” (272-275). Atticus stands up and openly accuse the jury of being evil and unfair, yet, still remains calm. Sometimes, when a group of people are oppressing or belittling other people, one must courageously stand up and point out the flaws of the group’s oppression. Atticus consistently shows bravery by standing up for what it morally right in a calm way, which allows others to respect his