Courage in to Kill a Mockingbird Essay Example for Free

Courage in to Kill a Mockingbird turn out sensation likes to think of a hero, as strong, brave, and meeting all challenges head on. All the char manageers in this countersign ware a diverse view as to what courage is, and they all show it in different ways through their e veryday lives. Younger characters, like Jem and Scout, see the physical aspect of it, whereas genus genus genus genus genus Atticus believes this to be an extremely weak form of courage. He believes in the mental quality of courage. The ability to be in minority and not back down and to be up to(p) to change he admires Mrs. Dubose for her acts of courage that ar against all odds.For a younger character, like Scout, courage is often associated with a physical act that is unremarkably dangerous. It is hard for young children to authenticize that courage can be shown in other aspects of life. Scout sees an usage of courage in her make when he shoots the mad dog Tim Johnson (pg. 101). Although Atticus doe s not think of it as very courageous, Jem and Scout are proud of their father and the courage he showed in this dangerous situation. Atticus views courage on a more intellectual level, as a lesson thing not something that can be proved with a weapon.Later on in the story, Jem and Scout encounter the vindictive, malicious Mrs. Dubose who often shouts out racism directed at the passing children because of Atticus job. At unrivalled shew she proclaimed, Your fathers no better than the niggers and trash he works for (pg. 111). When she blatantly made Atticus an reject of chaff like that, Jem opinionated that the best way to sighttle things was to ruin Mrs. Duboses camellias. Since he could not attack Mrs. Dubose directly, Jem decided to go for something close to her. He is committing a physical act of retaliation, which led to her suffering mental hassle yet again.It was a cowardly act, for he dared not step up and confront her. After Atticus heard about this stunt, Jem was ma de to read to her every afternoon for a month. He directly infallible mental valour, and he did find it more difficult to source this than the physical bravery he was use to displaying. This is made apparent by him refusing to walk past her house alone, and because Jem was at first terrified of dismissal to see her. Mrs. Dubose was a very sick woman, and had used morphine to ease her pain but was now addicted. It was her goal to leave the world beholden to nothing and nobody (pg. 120).She displayed what Atticus refers to as real courage. (pg. 121). She showed real courage because she does not have the luxury of standing there with a gun pointed at her addiction. One single attempt could not free her from the addiction. Rather, it had to be a many staged process everyplace an extended period of time. It was shear determination and real courage that allowed her to accomplish her goal. It was not until after she died that Atticus explained to Jem and Scout how courageous the woman was because she knew she was dying but was s bank determined to die free of the morphine.She fought against spacious odds, scour though she knew that she would surely die. Atticus tells his children that he wanted them to see what real courage is, or else of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. He withal says that she was the bravest person he ever knew. (pg. 121) Real courage is when you fight for what is right regardless of whether you win or lose. Atticus Finch demonstrates real courage several multiplication throughout the novel, in addition to the lessons that he teaches his children.The largest and more or less important example would be the trial of Tom Robinson. When Atticus took the case, he went up against Maycomb, a broadly speaking prejudiced town, in lay to defend Tom. He understood that taking the case would make him an object of ridicule and that no one would forgive him for believing a black mans word over a white mans. Even his ow n sister expresses disapproval at his decision, practically telling him he was manner of speaking disgrace to the family. Nevertheless, no matter how much his reputation suffered, he did not change his mind.Standing up for his morals and ethics was more important than what raft thought about him. From the very start Atticus knows he will not win the case however he does his job and finishes what he set out to do. Atticuss strong sense of morality and onlyice motivates him to defend Tom Robinson with determination, giving it all he has. He shows this when he says, Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no movement for us not to try and win. (pg. 82). He says this to Scout after she comes home from school angry at Cecil Jacobs for making fun of Atticus in the schoolyard.Atticus tells her to fight with her head instead of her fists. He wants the people of Maycomb to hear the truth about Tom, That boy may go to the chair, but hes not going till the truth s told. (pg. 159). Atticus is putting everything a man holds dear, dignity, respect, honor and status, on the line to protect Tom. He ulterior shows more bravery when he goes to the jailhouse to protect Tom from a mob. Without thinking twice, he rush along to Toms aid. He went willingly, knowing that if a mob did form he would be keenly outnumbered and would easily be beaten.Still, he put Toms well being ahead of his own welfare. While serving justice, Atticus as well showed great courage. For example, he did not go along with Heck Tate when he told a lie about what in truth happened the night Bob Ewell was found stabbed to death. Atticus put his life and career on the line because he knew that, as an officer of the court, withholding information from an investigation could have gotten Mr. Tate thrown into jail. Nonetheless, like many times before, doing what was right and fair prevailed in Atticuss way of thinking.In addition, Atticus went against his moral code and principle s he had endlessly upheld before, when Atticus is faced with the decision of abiding by the law or breaking it in order to do the right thing. He knew that incarcerating a man like Arthur Radley would have been unforgivable, especially after Arthur had just performed a great deed by saving his childrens lives. He knew that exposing him would be an awful way of repaying him it would have been like shooting a mockingbird. Therefore, Atticus chose to protect Boo from the public eye rather than subscribe by the law and his honest judicial ways he was so accustomed to follow.Sometimes it takes evening more courage to set a new level of morals than to stay in ones comfort zone. (pg. 297-302). The courage to change habits and thoughts is very important, because not everyone is able to do it. A very good example of this courage is when Atticus asked Scout not to fight anymore. When I committed myself to this act of cowardice. Word got around that Scout Finch wouldnt fight anymore, her d addy wouldnt let her. (pg. 97). That was a great act of courage because Scout used to fight a lot but as she had promised her father she would not fight anymore.Scout, like Jem does not want to disappoint Atticus, so she makes a change. In conclusion, Atticus shows praiseworthy courage and behaviour in many instances throughout the story, not by fighting or killing, but by standing up for what he believed in a civilized and determined way. His strongest motivation, however, were his children. He wants to be a good example for his kids and encourage in them a strong sense of moral value. One time Scout asks him why he had taken a case he knew he was not going to win and he responded by saying, For a number of reasons.The main one is, if I didnt I couldnt hold up my head in town, I couldnt represent this county in the legislature, I couldnt even tell you or Jem not to do something again. (pg. 82). In other words, he would not have been able to talk to his kids about justice and stan ding up for what one believes when he himself had not stood for what he believed in. The lessons taught by Atticus and Mrs. Dubose show Jem and Scout what it is to be courageous, to be able to change, to tell the truth and most importantly to stand up for their own beliefs. All qoutes from Lee, Harper, 1960, To kill a Mokingbird, London, Pan Books