To Kill A Mockingbird

In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, numerous symbols and themes are present throughout the novel. Through the good and evil in a town such as Maycomb, nobility and courageous were not the easiest attributes to fulfill; however, for Atticus, Jem and Scout, these traits came quite easily with time. As Ambrose Redmoon had said, “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something is more important than fear.” That quote directly relates to To Kill a Mockingbird and the Finch family in that the fear of standing up against Maycomb’s abundant racism and unfortunate prejudice is nothing compared to the rewarding courage one feels when standing up to it. In this novel, it was clear that Atticus hadn’t wanted to take on Tom Robinson’s case 100%, and was “pointed [to] and [told], ‘You’re it’” (117). With that being said, although Atticus hadn’t been all for the case, he had to accept it in order to be true to his convictions. Along with that, Atticus’s acceptance of the task demonstrated his point of view on equality among all races. In a time such as the 1930’s in Harper Lee’s novel, believing in equality would definitely cause chaos. And while Atticus had been clearly aware of that, he remained courageous and stood by the quote “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view-“ (39). He was well aware that his integrity and courage would help what he would end up fighting for be worth so much more in the end than the fear of the town’s hatred. Along with courage, fear also ties in with Redmoon’s quote. An example of fear that would lead to into something much greater was the fear that Atticus felt for Jem and Scout in what they were about to soon endure. With the town of Maycomb giving the Finch family the cold shoulder, Atticus tells Uncle Jack, “I hope and pray I can get Jem and Scout through it without bitterness…” (117). All Atticus hoped for was that in the end, both Jem and Scout would be able to consult to him with courage instead of crumbling down with fear. Atticus strived to teach Jem and Scout that what and who he was defending was nothing to get “stark raving mad” (117) about, and in the end Maycomb’s “usual disease” (117) would hopefully be softened. So although Atticus was well aware that the Tom Robinson trial would not end up being justified, he knew a new importance would arise in Maycomb. To get to that important “something” Redmoon’s quote describes, the Finch family first had to endure many forms of fear and hatred. While in the end, it was not justice that was served, yet a new point of view on equality among all that arose. Though it took hatred from cousins, neighbors, and even strangers, courage stood out in the long run and it became clear to the town of Maycomb that senseless killing of innocent people is wrong, and sometimes you must take the first steps through fear to realize a greater cause is out there.