Atticus The Brave and
Courageous
There are many courageous people in this world including fire fighters, soldiers, police officers and other citizens that show random acts of courage. One person in particular that is a very courageous person is Atticus in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Throughout the novel Atticus shows great courage even when he knows things might not go the way he wants and he doesn’t stop or give up, he tries even harder and that shows true courage.
To start, it takes a courageous man to face the negative pressures of the society which he lives. During the 1930s racism is a powerful force. Yet Atticus Finch is willing to risk his reputation, his safety and even his children’s safety in order to defend a black man accused of raping a white woman. His defense of this black man is destined to fail at the beginning by the nature of Southern life during this time period, but Atticus doesn’t let it stop him or even discourage him, honestly I think it gave him more courage in trying to succeeded in demonstrating the sickness of racism and also how it destroys towns and children’s lives . "Courage is not a man with a gun in his hand. It's knowing you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do"(pg 149). This quote really demonstrates courage and how Atticus showed his courage because he knew he would lose the trial but he didn’t let that stop him because there is always that little chance and if you don’t try you will never know.
Second, throughout the novel and when he begins to engage his time in defending Tom Robinson, he shows another more subtle courage with his children. He teaches them that there are go...
... middle of paper ...
...ure generations. But with the courage that Atticus showed he was able to kill racism in Maycomb and change peoples minds which was killing the disease. Also the future generations would not be affected by the disease and be able to live a less “ugly life.”
In conclusion, after reading this novel it is very good at teaching what true courage is and demonstrates it throughout the novel. Atticus was the most courageous character in this book because of the many brave actions he took even though they could of hurt his reputation, his safety, and even his children’s safety. With all of these courageous acts he may be even one of the most courageous in the world. It takes a really strong person mentally to not fall into the negative pressures of others, and to stand up for what is right even though all the odds are against you. That is what real courage is.
Courage is a deed that can be portrayed in many ways. In the Historical Fiction novel To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee, there are many acts of racism and problematic cases where acts of courage are demonstrated in different and unique ways that can only be deciphered if one reads in between the lines of the words. There are three characters in particular who show courage in diverse ways. First, there is Arthur Radley who anonymously shows courage by performing tasks that cause him to face the outside world where he’s been isolated from for so long. Secondly, there is Scout Finch who demonstrates courage through her adolescent age. Lastly, there is Atticus Finch who displays courage through his selfless and kind actions. Therefore, in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses diverse characters to represent different acts of courage.
"It was times like these when I thought my father, who hated guns and had never been to any wars was the bravest man who ever lived” (Lee 134.) Atticus raised his children in a time period where society treated you by the color of your skin and not for who you are. Atticus and his children are full of confidence and bravery during a time of inequality, depression, and racism. Atticus stood up to what he believed in and he was most importantly brave. His daughter Scout had to stand up to all the hatred she was getting for her father's trial. Atticus took many risks knowing that the outcome may not be favorable towards him. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird , Harper Lee displays that Bravery and Courage are important life traits, and can help
Courage exists in several forms in Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. As defined by Atticus Finch, real courage "…when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what” (149). The novel explores the how this real courage can be shown in different ways through the lives of many characters in Maycomb, particularly, Tom Robinson, Mrs. Dubose, and Atticus. Their courage is evident through their lifestyle, actions, and beliefs.
In conclusion, Atticus shows praiseworthy courage and behavior, 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 sense of morality and equality motivated him to take the risks he did, and was praised by the African American society for the actions he, as a white man, took to support the blacks. In many other instances people were able to display courage, and some good came out of it. Antigone pleased the gods but payed the price for taking unimaginable actions. Rosa Parks sparked a sense of freedom from racism and segregation in the minds of many. Courage is taking risky actions, of which even if you have slight chances of success, you continue to follow through with it and never give up.
Courage is not something that we are born with, it is a skill that takes time to learn and only a few are lucky enough to have it. To Kill a Mockingbird is not only about life in a world full of hate, it is about standing up for anyone’s beliefs being brave enough to do it. In this story, Harper Lee says “Courage is not a man with a gun in his hand. It's knowing you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do” (Lee 112). In To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee illustrates courage through Atticus Finch, Mrs. Dubose, and Arthur Radley.
Many of Atticus’s actions throughout the novel portray him as a courageous man. Atticus demonstrates true courage by defending Tom Robinson, even though he knows that he will not win and that the people of Maycomb will clearly turn on him. Later on in the novel Atticus is courageous when he stands outside of Tom's cell, knowing that men from town will show up and attempt to beat him or worse yet kill him. When the town does show up, Atticus shows courage again by standing his ground and refusing to leave Tom when he says “You can go turn around and go home again, Walter”
To be courageous you cannot be deterred by possible outcomes that may involve danger or pain. To be courageous you have to be more than brave you have to be undaunted and have a heart of a lion. Through Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird courage and determination are embedded through the character’s actions. Atticus Finch, a lawyer in Maycomb County, explains to his son Jem, “I wanted him 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 if through no matter what.(Lee 149)” Through this quote Harper Lee is trying to convey that, real courage is more than appearance it is a significant action
Atticus is brave because he is more than willing to sacrifice all his time to defend Tom Robinson’s case, when he knows just as much as anyone else that it’s a hopeless cause. There are several times in the book when you can tell how beaten Atticus feels, yet he still gets up in the morning and does his best to carry on. In chapter 22, after losing the trial, Atticus gets up and carries on as usual and makes sure the children know
This novel tends us to picture Atticus as a very courageous man. His definition for this term doesn?t mean bravery or a man with a gun in his hand. He defines courage as ?When you know you are licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what?. Atticus?s courage is represented very significantly and differently in this book. He undertook the case of a Negro who was wrongly accused of raping a white girl. He went against the whole racist community of the town. The opposition of the racist people failed to make him step back from the case. He just fought the case courageously. But the white jury couldn?t possibly be expected to take a black person?s work against the whites.
Within the novel "to kill a mocking bird" the character Atticus finch defines courage as, "Courage is when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what." Atticus takes the first step by being courageous to take the Tom Robinson case, defying the towns liking of prejudice, even his own sister thinks that he is disgracing the family by taking the case he explains with concern
Atticus showed courage when in the book he decided that he would stand up for Tom Robinson, a Negro recently victimized by false rape, in court and try his best not to let an innocent man die. This is shown when Scout heard from a kid at school who is making fun of her because her dad defends Negroes. Later Atticus is talking to Scout about defending Negroes and when Scout asked him if he really does do that, Atticus replied, of course I do, but he also replied saying that he knows he should not. Although Atticus decided to defend Tom he knew at the beginning of the trial he was going to lose and he said that there was no point in him trying. “Atticus, are we going to win it?” “No, honey,” “Then why-” “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win,” (Lee 101). This shows how Atticus knew that he was not going to win, but he still tried. That also shows how, even though helping a Negro was considered unacceptable, disturbing, and ridiculous at that time, Atticus was willing to risk his social life with friends too, as well as what people thought of him, help out
Throughout the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, many traits are displayed in many forms. Different characters change dynamically and over the course of the novel the reader will soon realize that the trait most augmented is courage. The definition of courage is to perform an act that frightens one self. In other words, a person who steps out of his comfort zone is considered courageous. The four main characters who truly show bravery and courage are Atticus Finch, Boo Radley, Heck Tate and most of all Scout.
Harper Lee achieved the most important dream of a writer; her book is timeless. The theme of To Kill a Mockingbird, courage, is one that no one can deny is a central idea not only in the novel but also in life. People believe that courage is something that everyone is born with, but I disagree. Atticus once told Scout, “"They're certainly entitled to think that, and they're entitled to full respect for their opinions," said Atticus, "but before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience.” Only courageous people can teach others to stand up for what they truly believe in.
Without courageous people, human society would not progress. This is evident in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, whereby a few heroic individuals inspire transformations in a racist community. One of the characters who shows bravery is Tom Robinson. Even though he knows he will most likely lose, he goes on trial and fights for justice and truth. Another person who displays inner strength is Boo Radley. He is able to break out of his comfort zone and stand up for what is right, despite his fear. The most daring character in the novel is Atticus Finch. Although most of the town is against him, he continues onward and faces hatred with dignity and respect. Each of these extraordinary individuals represent Harper Lee’s belief that real courage is doing the right thing, even if it requires standing up against the majority.
"Courage is when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what" According to Atticus Finch, an honest lawyer in Harper Lee's novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" courage is not a man with a gun in his hand. "Real courage" is when you fight for what is right regardless of whether you win or lose. Atticus fits into this definition of what "real courage" is and demonstrates it several times throughout the novel.