To Kill A Mockingbird Courage Analysis

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To many people, courage means bravery and admiration. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, it teaches us there is a different type of courage – moral courage. Moral courage means doing the right thing even if it risks disoblige, reputation, punishment, or being laughed at. The theme of moral courage seems underlying at first in the book, but through the actions of some characters it becomes apparent. Atticus Finch a lawyer, widower, and father shows this theme by defending and guarding a black man. Another character that shows the theme of moral courage is Ms. Dubose, a frail old lady, who was a drug addict fighting a battle with morphine. Through the interactions with these characters, Scout and Jem learn that courage is different than they expect it to.

According to Atticus Finch, courage can be shown as physical bravery and strength. However courage can also be fighting for what’s right, even if you’re risking everything; or in other words, moral courage. This is shown when Atticus is discussing the topic of the Tom Robinson case at home with Scout, and she asks if he is going to win. Atticus replies with no and says “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us to try to win. (P. 87). This reveals that the case is heavily based on racism. No matter how innocent Tom may seem he will lose, simply because he is black. The term “licked”, basically means beaten; but even though Tom has been “licked”, Atticus still believe he deserves justice and will not give up. Atticus proves to us that he has moral courage, by giving Tom a fair chance. He understands that defending Tom will lead to him being insulted, and the white people of Maycomb would have disdain towards him. He know...

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...morphine and makes it her goal to die without weakness. She does the right thing, even if it ends up taking her life. To Scout and Jem, Mrs. Dubose was horrible however her death made them realize that she was trying to get off morphine for her own good. She showed them that courage isn’t always apparent; you don’t always have to do something that stands out. You can be courageous, just by making small changes and fighting battles with yourself.

Throughout To Kill A Mockingbird we learn about moral courage through a few characters, but Atticus and Ms. Dubose are characters who really make Jem and Scout discover that courage looks different than they expect it to. Atticus shows moral courage by defending and guarding Tom Robinson, and Ms. Dubose shows moral courage by getting off morphine. Courage comes in many forms, but moral courage is the most important form.

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