to kill a mockingbird essay

Augurusa 1
Christina Augurusa
Ms. Lovell
ENG 2D
13 December 2013
To Kill a Mockingbird
“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” – Winston Churchill. Courage is the ability to do something that others do not agree with, but you do it anyways because you know it is the right thing to do. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee has many characters that show courage. However, one of the main characters, Atticus Finch, shows a great deal of courage throughout the novel. During the period in which the novel takes place (1930’s) in Maycomb, Alabama, racism was a big “problem” in society. Atticus is a courageous lawyer and Jem and Scout are his children. Events that reveal courage in the novel include when Atticus defends a poor, black man’s case knowing he will get criticized. Also, Atticus show another type of courage when he takes the time to teach his children, lessons some parents may not teach. Lastly, Atticus shows many courageous acts, which is important throughout the novel. Atticus Finch reveals courage because he bravely faces the negative pressures of the society within he lives. Atticus Finch is courageous for taking Tom Robinson’s case and defending him as thoroughly as possible. He takes a case he knows he can’t win. Atticus knows that the whole town is racist and that no one agrees with him to defend the black man, Tom. “Tom Robinson’s case, is something that goes to the essence of a man’s conscience – Scout, I couldn’t go to church and worship God if I didn’t try to help that man.” (139) – Atticus Finch. Atticus stands up for Tom Robinson even though he knows his entire town will go against him; if he didn’t then he wouldn’t be able to live with himself. He knows that he will be hated by some for taking the case. It doesn’t matter to him what other people think, as long as he knows that he is doing the right thing. Secondly, Atticus Finch truly believes in justice and equality. Atticus says, “I certainly am. I do my best to love everybody.” (144) – Atticus Finch. Atticus says this back to Scout when she asks him if he really is a “nigger-lover” like some people call him. Atticus agrees that this is true, but the name for it is just a rude way of saying that he loves everyone. This shows that Atticus believes in equality and does not care what other people think and what they say about him. It does not matter to Atticus if he gets criticized because he knows that what he is doing is right. This all makes Atticus a courageous man because he was willing to risk his social-standing, professional reputation and even his physical safety to defend a poor, black man accused of raping a white woman. Atticus Finch shows courage also through the way he teaches his children. Throughout the novel while he is defending Tom Robinson, he shows another type of courage: he takes the time to teach his children, Jem and Scout. He teaches them what courage is and the fact that he teaches them lessons is courageous because it takes a brave man to tell his kids the truth when they look up to him so much. Atticus wants them to enjoy and learn useful things throughout their lives. Atticus wants his children to understand that, “You never really understand a person until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” (132) – Atticus Finch. Atticus teaches his children many lessons, such as this one, which is empathy. He wants his children to look at things in all sorts of ways and to understand other people and to respect themselves and others. Atticus wants his children to understand what courage really is. “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand.” (149) – Atticus Finch. This is when Atticus is getting criticized by his neighbour but he does not let her get to him, he just walks off. When Atticus accepted Tom’s case, he knew that it would make life very difficult for his children. He wants his kids to fight with their heads instead of their fists. Atticus teaches his children to respect themselves and others, to try their best to do what’s right and what real courage is. Atticus shows many courageous acts throughout the novel; protecting his family and standing up for what he believes in. One display of Atticus’ courage is when he shoots a mad dog in front of the Radley house. Heck Tate turns to Atticus to kill the sick animal; both of them knowing that if he misses, disaster will result. “I guess he decided he wouldn’t shoot till he had to, and he had to today.” (130) – Miss Maudie. Although Atticus hasn’t fired a gun in years; he accepts the responsibility to bring the dog down one shot. When the dog threatens Atticus’ family, Atticus immediately grabs a rifle and shoots the dog. The children are surprised by this because normally Atticus is very calm and laid back. This goes to show that Atticus is courageous because he will do anything for his family. Another display of Atticus’ courage is when he stands up to his neighbours (Mrs. Dubose) racism; knowing that in doing so, he is exposing himself and his family to difficult times. “It was times like these when I thought my father, who hated guns and had never been to any ways, was the bravest man who ever lived.” (134) – Scout. Mrs. Dubose is constantly giving insults towards Atticus and his children. Atticus does not take offense to her racist insults and lets them slide. This shows Atticus being courageous because he does not care what other people think or say to him because he knows that he is doing what is right. Atticus shows courage throughout all the events he is in throughout the novel; protecting his family, and standing up for what he believes in.
Atticus Finch reveals courage because he bravely faces the negative pressures in society within he lives. Atticus defends the Tom Robinson case, teaches his children valuable lessons and does many courageous actions. Atticus shows courage throughout the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee; He protects his family, teaches his children, fights for what is right and stands up for what he believes in. Not only does Atticus show courage but he teaches his children what courage really is, “Courage… it’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.” (149) – Atticus Finch.