To Kill A Mockingbird Essay

Amy Vandyken
Braun
Honors American Lit
6 October 2014
To Kill A Mockingbird In Harper Lee's novel To Kill a Mockingbird, courage is defined as "when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what" (149). This novel, which tells of the prejudice found in a small Alabama town, has many examples of courage. Two major characters who exemplify the theme of courage are Atticus and Jem Finch. Atticus Finch, a lawyer and father, displays both physical and moral courage in many situations. For example, Atticus takes on Tom Robinson's case with the knowledge that he and his children will be subjected to the anger of the townspeople. When asked why Atticus is going against the opinion of the townspeople Atticus replies, " The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience" (140). Atticus is not scared about what people in town will say or do to him. He will stand up for the truth no matter the consequences, because he understands that his own morale is what really matters. In addition, he deliberately sits outside the jailhouse to prevent the lynch mob from attacking Tom Robinson. He did this knowing that the mob would come and even "seemed to be expecting them" (201). Atticus is aware that he is at risk of being injured by the mob yet still tries to help Tom. Atticus is willing to put himself in danger for another person even if the chances of actually protecting that person are slim. Furthermore, when Bob Ewell threatened him by saying "he'd get him if it took the rest of his life" (290), Atticus showed no fear and only responded by saying " I'd rather it be me that than houseful of children out there" (293). Being able to stay calm when being verbally assaulted proves Atticus's morally sound nature. Atticus's courage is shown when he allows himself to be hurt just to spare Bob Ewell's children from their father's abuse. Throughout the novel, Atticus proves his own definition of courage by demonstrating it multiple times. Another character who demonstrates the theme of courage is Jem Finch, who is Atticus's son. For instance, Jem tried to keep Scout calm when he realized that someone sinister was behind them by "trying to keep the cecil myth going"( 350). Jem is able to keep cool and collected even when he is conscious of the incoming danger. By doing so, Jem displays courage by pushing aside his own fears to protect his sister. Besides protecting his sister, Jem also protects Atticus, by saying " I ain't going" (204), when he is told by Atticus to go home. Jem stays in what he knows is an unsafe situation just to support his father. Jem stands up against his father for what he believes in, showing a strong backbone and a protective instinct. Lastly, Jem went back into the Radley yard to retrieve his pants, knowing that Mr. Nathan "had the other barrel waiting for the next sound he heard..." (75) but still goes anyway because he does not want to be whipped by Atticus. Although the Radley yard has already been established as a frightening place, Jem still goes back into it. Being able to go into a dark yard with the possibility of being shot shows Jem's moral and physical courage. Like his father, Jem's maturity and understanding help him use his courage in the right ways. Both Atticus and Jem display their courageous behavior throughout the story. Atticus is the epitome of moral courage by telling the truth, and by voicing a different opinion than those around him. On the other hand, Jem possesses a high level of physical courage. Because of Jem's natural way of protecting his loved ones, he demonstrates his willingness to do so in many instances of the story. In the end, Atticus and Jem's courageous actions truly justify the genuine meaning and theme of courage as believing in taking on the impossible.