To Kill a Mockingbird Analysis

Is there a real definition of courage that all can agree with? Is a person born with courage or can they find it in themselves? Is courage displayed by actions or words? In Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, there are many characters that show courage, but three in specific are Atticus Finch, Judge Taylor, and Scout Finch. Atticus Finch displayed his courage mainly through his actions. “‘I’m simply defending a Negro – his name is Tom Robinson…there has been some high talk around town to the effect that I shouldn’t do much about defending this man,’” (Lee, 75). If some other lawyer was given this case, that lawyer would not have been expected to try hard to defend Tom because Tom was black, and therefore automatically guilty. Atticus was a highly respected man before this time in Maycomb, and he risked the respect he received by many in the town when he tried to defend Tom. Jem and scout learned that their father did what he thought was right and they realized that it took courage to defend Tom. “‘If you concede to the necessity of going to school, we’ll go on reading every night just as we always have. Is that a bargain?’ ‘Yes sir!’” (Lee, 31). Scout had just had a bad first day of school and confided in Atticus for help. Other parents would try to guide their children through life by doing something like talking to the teacher but Atticus saw it fit to talk to his children then let them learn from life events. Scout and Jem did not have a mother, and it took courage on Atticus’ part to go against the “usual” parenting technique. Atticus let his actions show what he wanted to defend and protect. Judge Taylor shows courage through his decisions concerning Tom Robinson’s case. “Judge Taylor was about to speak when Atticus said, ‘Judge, if you’ll allow the question plus another one you’ll soon see.’ ‘All right, let’s see,’ said Judge Taylor, ‘but make sure we see, Atticus. Overruled,’” (Lee, 177). Judge Taylor probably listened to the case closely because he felt that there was a great possibility that Tom could be innocent. Jem and Scout realized that he overruled Mr. Gilmer’s objection to Atticus’ somewhat random questions. He most likely wanted the jury to hear that Atticus had some valid points and observations that could prove the innocence of Tom. “‘Judge Taylor was kind enough to give us a postponement…’” (Lee, 75). In any other similar case, a new lawyer would have been chosen to defend to get practice as a lawyer. Judge Taylor knew that a new lawyer was not fit for the situation and that Atticus would need more time to do the job properly. The children learned that there are good and bad people in the world and life is not always fair. Judge Taylor stood up for Tom Robinson by choosing Atticus. The final character to show courage through actions would be Scout. “‘You’re shamin’ him Miss Caroline. Walter hasn’t got a quarter at home to bring you,’” (Lee, 21). The new teacher, Miss Caroline, did not know about the poor Cunningham’s, so Scout chose to inform her of the situation. Scout only meant to inform her, and did not expect the new teacher to take it as rude and punish her. Scout realized her “mistake” and learned that her teacher’s methods are dull and Miss Caroline does not know a thing about Maycomb. “There was a smell of stale whisky and pigpen about, and when I glanced around I discovered that these men were strangers…I had leaped triumphantly into a ring of people I had never seen before,” (Lee, 152). Scout had no idea what the intentions of those men were. She learned that when you put someone in another person’s shoes, you can influence their thought and possible change their mind. Scout found the courage to stand up for herself, as well as others, like her father. Some people say that courage involved brute strength that is used to save a dozen people from burning building, but courage is much more. Courage can be shown through actions and words just like the characters in the novel. In many cases, courage comes out of a person when the time is right. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the three characters that display their courage are Atticus, Judge Taylor, and Scout.