Preview

What Is Atticus Courageous

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
669 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
What Is Atticus Courageous
The Most Courageous Courage is grace under pressure. Courage is when a person has the ability to do something frightening while resisting fear and moving beyond. Courage is what many don’t have because they don’t have the strength to do something courageous. Atticus has courage because he is brave enough to do what is brave enough to do what is right with grace and while being under pressure. Like many great and successful books written over time, Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, contains many characters with great characteristics. Atticus has many qualities about himself that makes him one of the novel’s favorite characters. Boldness, talent, and fortitude are traits that makes Atticus a model of courage in, To Kill a Mockingbird. …show more content…
One of Atticus’ courageous acts is when he defends Tom fairly even though many people in town are very prejudiced about the situation. Atticus says to Scout that, ‘ “...every lawyer gets at least one case in his lifetime that affects him personally. This one’s mines, I guess. You might hear some ugly talk about it at school…” ’ (Lee 101). The next day Cecil approaches Scout and says, ‘ “My folks said your daddy was a disgrace an’ that nigger oughta hang from the water-tank!” ’ ( 102). Afterwards when Jem left to help Mrs. Dubose, Scout and Atticus began talking. Then Atticus said, ‘ “...Scout, I couldn’t go to church and worship God if I didn’t try to help that man.” ’ (139). Fortitude is show when plenty of people in Maycomb oppose the idea of Atticus defending Tom with fairness. Atticus shows his boldness when he still defends Tom Robinson with fairness even though he is risking his reputation. Atticus’ courage is obviously shown in his capability to defend and support Tom despite what many in Maycomb County say, and even risking his reputation. Not only does Atticus show courage when he is bold, but also courage shows when he’s coerced to show his …show more content…
Atticus stays propped up against the front door. When the men arrive in their cars, Atticus remains where he is. Then the men come up and hides him from view. One man says, ‘ “He’s in there, Mr. Finch?” ’ Then Atticus responds, ‘ “He is... and he’s asleep.” ’ ‘ “Don’t wake him up” ’ (Lee 202). Atticus displays fortitude by protecting Tom Robinson from a local mob. HIs courageous character is clearly shown through his ability to guard Tom when he is in danger.
As a final point, many people can obviously say that Atticus had courage in the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. His boldness, talent, and fortitude teaches people to be leaders and to stand up and speak up for what is right. Harper Lee’s novel leaves a lasting impact on those people who are for justice and are trying to be the very best that they can be to make this world a better

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Courage is characterized as mental or moral strength to surpass notions of fear. As demonstrated by Atticus Finch and Mrs Dubose in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, the development of courage gives the character’s strength and courage to hold their heads high, while fearing none. Harper Lee depicts the theme of courage incalculable amount of times, detailing courage as “ when you know you’re licked before you being, but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.” (Chapter 11, Page 124) All of the characters have an alternate kind of perspective of what courage is exactly, which will be examined in depth.…

    • 126 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee presents the idea that courage is shown by standing up for what one believes in even though others may not share the same belief. Social justice requires courage because one needs not to judge someone by his race. For instance, Atticus puts himself between the lynch mob and Tom Robinson. Atticus shot the dog in front of the Radley's house, even though he had not shot a gun in years. Atticus also stood up for Tom when the mob, led by Mr.Cunningham, had been drinking and wanted to harm Tom.…

    • 365 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Harper Lee makes the theme of courage clear and strong in the book “To kill a mockingbird”. Throughout the story there are many demonstrations of courage. Some of these are firstly masked to later be uncovered and at first they may not seem obvious. Some moments of the courage portrayed aren’t physical courage but rather mental and psychological. The story is narrated to us by Scout who is growing up in a small town known as “Maycomb” which is situated in the Southern part of The United States. At the time the novel takes place, racism and segregation was very common in the south and Harper Lee makes this very clear as Maycomb is a stereotypical early twentieth century,…

    • 1139 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Throughout the novel, it can be seen that the characters of To Kill a Mockingbird show courage in some way. In chapter ten, Atticus provides an example of that. “He’s within range, Heck. You better get him before he goes down the side street--Lord knows who’s around the corner. Go inside, Cal” (Lee 10.126). When Mad-dog Johnson walks on the street of where Scout and Jem lived, Atticus had the children stay inside the house with Calpurnia while he went out with Heck Tate to deal with the dog. Only Heck and Atticus were outside of their homes, all the other residents watching from windows or doors. This shows Atticus’s courage because…

    • 504 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    An example of Atticus displaying courage is when he was left alone in the police station, guarding Tom Robinson, and the lynching mob came. When they asked if Tom was in there, he answered, "'You can turn around and go home"'(151). Having no fear for his own safety, he remained calm and tried to avoid the horrible future that awaited Robinson. It took a lot of bravery, physical and emotional, because Mr. Finch knew that he did not have a chance of going against all those people. He also demonstrated his valor when Tim Robinson, Tom's dog , was suspected to have rabbis and quick actions had to be taken. Knowing that they only had one chance of killing it, the sheriff handed over the gun to Atticus. Scout narrates, "The rifle cracked…..He didn't know what hit him"(96).Even though he hadn't touched a gun in years, he had to put his fears aside and prepare to kill it. He knew that if he didn't, people would be in danger of getting bitten by the mad dog, It took a lot of guts because it was really risky, if he missed and the unwanted occurred, people would blame him for it. But Atticus managed to control his fears, making him a great candidate for the Lion o' Courage…

    • 895 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the book “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch shows courage by standing up for his beliefs and by respecting values that he does not share.…

    • 470 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Many of his actions throughout the novel show him to be brave and courageous, since courage is the main theme. He demonstrates this by the way he treats characters throughout the book. He shows true courage by defending Tom Robinson, based on what is right and what is wrong. He does his best to defend him. “But do you think I could face my children otherwise? You know what’s going to happen as well as I do, Jack, and I hope and pray I can get Jem and Scout through it without bitterness, and most of all, without catching Maycomb’s usual disease” (Lee 188). I believe he is especially courageous when he stands outside Tom's cell, knowing others will try to kill him and then Atticus stands his ground. “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. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through know matter what’ (Lee 149). This is Atticus’…

    • 577 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Courage is when someone takes pride in what they believe in even if they are alone. In the novel To Kill Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch demonstrates the greatest amount of courage. Atticus took on the rape case of Mayella Ewell defending an african american man Tom Robinson, knowing what the outcome would be.…

    • 735 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    What is courage? According to dictionary.com, courage is the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain etc., without fear; bravery. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, both Atticus and Boo Radley are both courageous through the challenges they are faced with. Both of these men are citizens of Maycomb and create change within their town. Although Atticus and Boo Radley are very different people, they prove to be similar through their acts of courage. Though their acts of courage are similar, they both generate change to different aspects of their lives. Both men change things through their acts of courage, but the changes are drastically different. Atticus’ courage is a long term change, and it will help Maycomb see African Americans as equals and not as inferiors. Boo’s change on their other hand, will be more of a lesson that teaches not to judge a book by its cover.…

    • 736 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, there is an array of countless problems that must be faced by the citizens of Maycomb. How did they respond? After all, as the town was told, it had nothing to fear but fear itself. At least the more intelligent responded courageously. Relentless determination and perseverance were the only option to keep everything together. One character who shows this is Atticus, who stands up for African Americans inside and outside of court. Even though he’s called names and threatened, he supports Tom and promotes equality. In this novel, courage is defined as standing up for what you believe in. Lee tries to convey the point that readers can improve society using courage. Atticus has real courage because he stands up for equality when he defends Tom, faces danger to protect others, and doesn’t stop when the town’s residents insult him.…

    • 816 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Atticus Finch Integrity

    • 908 Words
    • 4 Pages

    In To Kill A Mockingbird, courage gives us the ability to do what is right. If more people were courageous then our world would be a better place. Courage allows us to make a difference in our world and allows us to blaze a path rather than follow the mistakes of…

    • 908 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Atticus Finch Heroism

    • 656 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, the author Harper Lee publicized courage as a theme, allowing the reader to unquestionably see Atticus, Scout and Jem’s father, as the hero and moral voice in the book. Living in a quaint, small, and prejudice town Atticus faced many challenges that permitted him to show his courage and heroism. Atticus strived to understand people before he judged them, he stood up for Tom Robinson, and he taught his kids to fight the evil with their smarts rather than physical violence.…

    • 656 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Moral courage is a quality many hope to have, but cannot achieve. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbrid, by Harper Lee, she uses a character named Atticus Finch, the father of the main characters, to show moral courage. She uses Atticus to show readers that despite not knowing the outcome, one can still succeed if one musters enough courage. Throughout the novel, Atticus shows evidence of being a brave man. He helps Tom Robinson when the lynch mob came to take him, he shot a rabid dog, saving the entire neighbourhood, and finally, he agrees to take Tom Robinson’s case.…

    • 540 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    For the duration of the book To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, A character has courageous moments. First, courage…

    • 735 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    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.…

    • 743 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays