Courage In To Kill A Mockingbird

The dictionary’s definition of courage is, “The ability to do something that frightens one; bravery.” The book To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, is set in Maycomb, Alabama in the 1930’s. To Kill A Mockingbird is narrated by Scout, a young girl, daughter of Atticus Finch and the sister of Jem Finch. She has multiple important role models that teach her lessons as she grows; one of the lessons that she learns about is courage. Courage is a major theme throughout the book. Throughout TKAM, courage is shown when people know they will fail, but they still try; or when they risk their social and normal life to help others. The characters Miss Dubose, Atticus Finch, and Arthur (Boo) Radley show courage through the book.

Firstly, in the book, To

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

Boo Radley showed courage by risking his life to save Scout and Jem when they were under attack by Bob Ewell, whilst wielding a knife at night. The reasoning as to why Bob attacked them is that Atticus made Bob look like he was the one who beat his daughter up, even though he really is. Bob was very outraged when this happened causing him to desire revenge on Atticus, but luckily for Atticus, Boo was there to stop Bob. Although Boo showed courage by stopping Bob, he showed courage a second time as well in this scene because Boo risks publicity to save Jem and Scout. He would hate to hear his name spread around town, even for saving two children, because he is shy and does not like attention. After the death of Bob, Sheriff Heck knows that it was Boo who stepped in, saved the children, and killed Bob, but he does not want to announce it publicly for Boo’s sake. “Stunned, I stood there dumbly. The scuffling noises were dying; someone wheezed and the night was still again” (Lee 351). This shows how Boo stepped in and fought off Bob, eventually killing