To Kill A Mockingbird Essay On Courage

Have you ever caught yourself reading a book and wondering what a certain character portrays? While reading To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the topic of courage sprang upon the discussion. Courage to Atticus FInch is “When you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.” Although facing massive struggles, Atticus displays the most courage throughout the book, when he faces obstacles that stand in his way in order to set the correct examples for his children. While hearing all of the criticism from around town, Atticus exemplifies moral courage in order to show his children what he stands for and believes in. On page 101, it is stated “Simply because we were licked a hundred years
before we started is no reason for us not to try to win, Atticus said.” Atticus is explaining to Scout that even though he may not win the case, he does not see a reason not to try and defend Tom. Many of the citizens criticize Atticus for defending a Negro, but he does not let it discourage him, instead he just plans to give it his all and see what happens. Not only is Atticus putting his reputation on the line, but he is also putting his life on the line for going others in order to defend a Negro. Moral and physical courage are presented by Atticus as he puts his life at stake in order to protect Tom Robinson. Examples stated in the text would be found on page 202, “Atticus remained where he was. The men hid him from view.” and on page 206, “Get some sleep, Tom. They won’t bother you anymore.” Atticus does not let anyone, referring to the mob, intimidate him or discourage him. The entire time time Atticus was standing up against the mob in order to protect Tom and keep him safe from the racist community. Not to mention, Atticus is also going against his own town, where he grew up and everyone knows him. Atticus has to come head to head with racism in his very own town, while most citizens sit back and watch from afar. On page 127, the author states “Atticus’s hand yanked a ball-tipped lever as he brought the gun to shoulder. The rifle cracked. Tim Johnson leaped, flopped over and crumbled on the sidewalk in a brown-and-white heap.” Tim Johnson is the mad dog that Atticus is going up against. The mad dog symbolizes the racism and prejudice views of the town and it also foreshadows how Atticus is going to tackle the Tom Robinson case and stand for a Negro man. Atticus is able to exemplify courage because he conquers the mad dog all by himself just like he will with the Tom Robinson case. Also Tom Robinson is putting his reputation on the line when he goes up against his own town, where he is very well known. Many believe that Atticus does not live up to his full potential of courageousness, but they see Tom Robinson as the most courageous.
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee, the author of the book, states on page 315, “They said he just broke into a blind raving charge at the fence and started climbing over”. In the other words, Tom Robinson is displaying his courageousness by having the courage to try and escape the prison, while being in plain sight of the guards. It is understandable why the opposing side argues that Tom shows the most courage because he acts suddenly while putting his life on the line to try and escape to freedom. Though it is a valid argument that Tom Robinson does show some type of courage, it is also evidently proven that Atticus shows more courage that actually proves a purpose for being used or shown. Courage is a universal theme that can mean and be displayed in numerous ways. Atticus displays his courage through the way he handles the obstacles that are thrown at him throughout the book. The showcasing of Atticus’s courageousness is put in place to be an example to his children. He wants his children to see the correct conducts of life by what he beliefs and how he stands for it. As the progression through life goes on, the idea of personal beliefs come into play, but the main focus is how it is integrated and supported in the everyday
life.