How Is Bravery Shown In To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a novel which consists of a number of positive and negative themes. Lee has utilised the way of life and the attitude towards ‘Negros' in the 1930's to create a intriguing novel which has enlightened the wider community on the matters of racism and prejudice in America in the 1930's. Even though the novel has a dark plot line there are a number of positive themes presented to the reader throughout the story, e.g. education, bravery and growing up.

The theme of bravery is amplified by the characters of Atticus and Jem. Atticus is the moral voice of the novel and his decision to defend Tom Robinson even though he knows there would be controversy and attacks on his character and family establishes his bravery. Early in the
The theme of growing-up is seen throughout the entire novel as Jem and Scout grow up and begin to mature. The theme of friendship is influential in the novel with the relationship of Dill with Scout and Jem. Dill opens an entirely new world to Scout and Jem through his experience in outside the small town of Maycomb. There is also a kind of friendship between Atticus and his children. This is shown through the children calling him Atticus instead of father. The fact that Atticus and the children have a close relationship aids the children's opinions towards Atticus' teachings; they would take the teachings as life advice and an insight from a close friend.

Moral education is an important theme in the novel. The whole novel has recurring references to moral education. Atticus has become an excellent role model for his children because he believes that is his role as a father, e.g.
"Before Jem looks at anyone else he looks at me, and I've tried to live so I can look squarely back at him." says