Miss Maudie Character Analysis
How has the novel affected your ideas of PERSONAL COURAGE in the face of INJUSTICE/ prejudice? Refer to elements of the PLOT and specific CHARACTERS to support your position/ comments.
As a member of the 21st century, personal courage is defined as the stereotyped image of strength and braveness. Popularized by the popular Nike slogan, “Just Do It”, the society of present believes courage to be able to doing what is necessary without limitations. This meaning however, is juxtaposed by representations of courage in the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Through the ‘Bildungsroman’ structure of the novel, the audience is able to relate to Scout as she grows and learns about personal courage in the face of injustice and prejudice. Atticus’ …show more content…
In the novel, Ms Maudie acts as a moral yardstick. While most of the white people in Maycomb think lowly of black people in their society, Miss Maudie had a conflicting view that is similar to Atticus’. This is reflected in her support for Atticus in the defence of Tom Robinson and how she teaches the children about moral justice. “Well, we’re making a step – it’s just a baby-step, but it’s a step,’ (Chapter 22 p222) clearly shows her determination in taking more steps to fight injustice in the community. As well as this, it is also clear that she respects Boo Radley, shown through when she says "Stephanie Crawford even told me once she woke up in the middle of the night and found him looking in the window at her. I said what did you do, Stephanie, move over in the bed and make room for him? That shut her up a while." (Chapter 5 pg48). As well as displaying courage for injustice, Miss Maudie also displays personal courage when she looks positively at the burning of her house in a fire. She refuses to feel sorry for herself, and instead lets her loss become an opportunity for better things to come such as more room for her azaleas to grow. This spiritual courage becomes a learning curve for Scout and the responder, showing that even though she is only a lady, she still stands up for what she believes
As a member of the 21st century, personal courage is defined as the stereotyped image of strength and braveness. Popularized by the popular Nike slogan, “Just Do It”, the society of present believes courage to be able to doing what is necessary without limitations. This meaning however, is juxtaposed by representations of courage in the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Through the ‘Bildungsroman’ structure of the novel, the audience is able to relate to Scout as she grows and learns about personal courage in the face of injustice and prejudice. Atticus’ …show more content…
In the novel, Ms Maudie acts as a moral yardstick. While most of the white people in Maycomb think lowly of black people in their society, Miss Maudie had a conflicting view that is similar to Atticus’. This is reflected in her support for Atticus in the defence of Tom Robinson and how she teaches the children about moral justice. “Well, we’re making a step – it’s just a baby-step, but it’s a step,’ (Chapter 22 p222) clearly shows her determination in taking more steps to fight injustice in the community. As well as this, it is also clear that she respects Boo Radley, shown through when she says "Stephanie Crawford even told me once she woke up in the middle of the night and found him looking in the window at her. I said what did you do, Stephanie, move over in the bed and make room for him? That shut her up a while." (Chapter 5 pg48). As well as displaying courage for injustice, Miss Maudie also displays personal courage when she looks positively at the burning of her house in a fire. She refuses to feel sorry for herself, and instead lets her loss become an opportunity for better things to come such as more room for her azaleas to grow. This spiritual courage becomes a learning curve for Scout and the responder, showing that even though she is only a lady, she still stands up for what she believes