Atticus The Brave and Corageous

722 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Atticus finch heroism in to kill a mockingbird

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.

Show More
Related

  • How Does Arthur Radley Show Courage In To Kill A Mockingbird

    1324 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Heart Of A Lion In Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird

    1344 Words  | 3 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • Theme Of Heroism In To Kill A Mockingbird

    789 Words  | 2 Pages

    Atticus Finch shows, in many ways, the true definition of a hero, but no situation was more important than the Tom Robinson trial. In Maycomb, the thought of taking a negro’s word instead of a white man’s was ridiculous to the citizens, especially over a matter as serious as a black man raping a white woman. Regardless of this information, Atticus still takes on Tom Robinson’s case and tries to make as big of a difference as possible. When Scout asks him if he thinks that he will win the case, Atticus subtly replies “No, honey” (76). Atticus goes on to explain, “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try and win” (76). Basically, Atticus believes that just because it is unlikely that he will win, it does not mean that he should just give up without trying. Throughout all the discrimination, Atticus remains tough and tries to achieve his goal, no matter how hard it is. This was an example of moral courage. Even Scout knows how hard her father is trying by comparing Atticus’ efforts to “watching Atticus walk down the street, raise a rifle to his shoulder and pull the trigger, but...

    Read More

  • Courage in To Kill A Mockingbird

    544 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Atticus Finch: The Perfect Role Model

    1551 Words  | 4 Pages

    Even though the odds go against him, Atticus Finch bravely stands up to his beliefs and morals. Furthermore, he

    Read More

  • Social Issues Displayed in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

    732 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Should To Kill A Mockingbird Be Taught In Schools

    706 Words  | 2 Pages

    To Atticus real courage is when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. This is an important life lesson everyone should

    Read More

  • How Does Atticus Show Courage In To Kill A Mockingbird

    802 Words  | 2 Pages

    In several different instances, the townspeople tried to convince him not to, and in one event they even threatened him. However, Atticus shows courage in defending Robinson.... ... middle of paper ... ... Courage is not taking a challenge knowing you will win, it is facing a challenge one knows one will most likely lose and still trying.

    Read More

  • To Kill A Mockingbird Quotes To Show Courage

    1174 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • How Does Atticus Show Courage

    708 Words  | 2 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • The Existence of courage

    1288 Words  | 3 Pages

    Courage is a characteristic that everyone contains inside their heart. But there are various definitions of courage. Some may say that courage is an act of bravery. Other might define courage as the inner strength to do what is right. Like Chae Richardson defines that “Courage is not living without fear. Courage is being scared to death and doing the right thing anyway.” But real courage is defined by Harper Lee, the author of To Kill A Mockingbird, suggest that courage exists “when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what” (112). The author uses the character of Atticus, Mrs.Dubose, and Jem to reveal that real courage is displayed when an individual successfully conquers what seems to be an impossible situation.

    Read More

  • To Kill A Mockingbird Courage Essay

    833 Words  | 2 Pages

    Firstly, Atticus demonstrated mental courage when he undertook the task of defending Tom Robinson, a black man who was wrongly accused of rape, in court. He had to persevere through many hardships in order to make a statement in the community. Atticus knew he would not win the case against the all white jury and like Mrs. Dubose in her struggle against morphine, Atticus lost before he even began. Nevertheless, Atticus knew that Tom was innocent and was willing to stand up for him because nobody else would. Since Atticus stayed true to himself and did only what is morally correct, he fought this case with great determination. He wanted the people of Maycomb to know the truth about what happened to Mayella Ewell, but even the truth would not free Tom Robinson. "That boy might go to the chair, but he's not going till the truth's told." (Lee, 146) Atticus showed true courage in going against Maycomb, a mostly prejudice town. He was given names like “nigger lover” and was looked down upon heavily but that did not stop him. On the other hand, Mayella Ewell decided to lie about the case because othe...

    Read More

  • Courage in To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee

    972 Words  | 2 Pages

    Atticus Finch demonstrates both moral and physical courage through his decisions of taking on and fighting Tom Robinson’s case, despite all the critics and setbacks, by putting his own life at risk to protect his client and doing all in his power to bring justice. In conclusion, true courage is the ability to confront something even if one is “licked” from the start. Tom Robinson, Mrs. Dubose, and Atticus Finch all display real courage throughout Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Tom Robinson, being an African-American, living in a prejudiced town and having a crippled arm, still helped Mayella, gave a truthful testimony and tried to escape prison. Mrs. Dubose courageously overcame her morphine addiction despite her age and pain.

    Read More

  • Courage in To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

    837 Words  | 2 Pages

    "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.

    Read More

  • Theme of Courage in To Kill A Mocking Bird

    792 Words  | 2 Pages

    To Kill A Mocking Bird-courage 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 " The only thing we've got is a black man's word against the Ewells'. The evidence boils down to you-did-I-didn't. The jury couldn't possibly be expected to take Tom Robinson's word against the Ewells'.

    Read More

More about Atticus The Brave and Corageous

Open Document