“Stand up for what is right, even if you're standing alone (Anonymous)”. This quote applies to the novel To Kill a Mockingbird because the characters of the novel faced difficult situations and had to display courage to endure them. Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, a eight year old girl named Scout Finch and a twelve year old boy named Jem Finch learned more about their town. Scout lived in a small Alabama town called Maycomb, where everyone knows everyone, and social circles are strict. Atticus Finch, Scout’s father, and a lawyer, is presented with a rape case in which he defended a African American man named Tom Robinson. Atticus was against a white man named Bob Ewell, a poor landowner, and Mayella Ewell, a nineteen year old girl who claimed …show more content…
Scout observed the actions of the town and her father’s involvement in the trial and learned the hard truth of the world; that things aren’t always fair no matter what some believe. These truths, even though disturbing and unjust, required courage to endure. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the author used Arthur Radley, Atticus Finch, Tom Robinson to demonstrate courage.
Arthur Radley demonstrated courage toward the end of the novel in a startling and unexpected event. Arthur was known throughout the novel as the elusive man who had supposedly done a profusion of absurd and appalling acts. The young Finches were fascinated by the man for the intriguing stories they heard about him, such as the circumstance upon his youth when he stabbed his father in the leg with a pair of scissors. These rumors placed Arthur under prime criticism for the town in the novel, fabricating the vision of a psychotic man who never
…show more content…
Tom was charged with rape against a white women and the word of her father, in the South, with a bias all-white jury, and still answered everything Judge Taylor asked him truthfully. In his testimony, he rose to defend himself explaining how Mayella was the one who advanced on Tom, even though this was disregarded as preposterous in the decade the book is set. One moment that took courage for Tom to say was a comment he voiced about Mayella Ewell, “I felt right sorry for her, she seemed to try more’n the rest of ‘em” (Lee, 125). An African American of that time period would not be caught uttering something of that nature. This statement expresses true courage because during the time period the book transpires, African Americans were discriminated against and statements such as this would have resulted in a beating or possible worse. By saying this Tom was implying that he felt Mayella, a white young lady, was living a life below standard of his own. Furthermore, when Tom tried to escape the prison farm he was held in he took his life from the hands of whites and placed it back it’s his own hands. Tom Robinson courage shone as he broke down racial barriers and stood up for his own
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.
"Courage isn't an absence of fear. It's doing what you are afraid to do. It's having the power to let go of the familiar and forge ahead into new territory." ~John Maxwell. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout (Jean Louise Finch), Jem (Jeremy Atticus Finch), and Atticus Finch display acts of valor that contribute, and in some cases encourage their rectitude. Harper Lee demonstrates that acting courageously can lead to an improved, sustained, or newly developed personal integrity.
What does it mean to be a good parent? The most common definition of a good parent is one who makes their children feel valued and loved, by teaching them the difference between right and wrong. At the end of the day, the most essential thing is to create a nurturing environment where your children feel like they can mature into confident, independent, and caring adults. Harper Lee’s novel To Kill A Mockingbird defines what a true parent really is thought hardships and struggles throughout the book. The story is set in the Depression era of a little town in southern Alabama that is struggling with thick prejudice on a colored rape case. The story is told through a character
“To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee is a story of national magnitude that contains complex characters. Harper Lee deals with the emotions and spirits of the characters insightfully. A few of these characters display courage at one point or another in the story. These flashes of courage come during turbulent times of the story, and often led to success.
Scout Finch, the youngest child of Atticus Finch, narrates the story. It is summer and her cousin Dill and brother Jem are her companions and playmates. They play all summer long until Dill has to go back home to Maridian and Scout and her brother start school. The Atticus’ maid, a black woman by the name of Calpurnia, is like a mother to the children. While playing, Scout and Jem discover small trinkets in a knothole in an old oak tree on the Radley property. Summer rolls around again and Dill comes back to visit. A sence of discrimination develops towards the Radley’s because of their race. Scout forms a friendship with her neighbor Miss Maudie, whose house is later burnt down. She tells Scout to respect Boo Radley and treat him like a person. Treasures keep appearing in the knothole until it is filled with cement to prevent decay. As winter comes it snows for the first time in a century. Boo gives scout a blanket and she finally understands her father’s and Miss Maudie’s point of view and treats him respectfully. Scout and Jem receive air guns for Christmas, and promise Atticus never to shoot a mockingbird, for they are peaceful and don’t deserve to die in that manner. Atticus then takes a case defending a black man accused of rape. He knows that such a case will bring trouble for his family but he takes it anyways. This is the sense of courage he tries to instill in his son Jem.
Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” takes place during the 1930’s in the fictional and quiet town of Maycomb, located in Maycomb County, Alabama. The town of Maycomb is described as a tired old town that moves very slowly and its residents have nothing to fear but fear itself. Being in set in the South during the 1930’s the story does tackle racism and inequality for African Americans as racism was becoming more and more prominent in the 1930’s. The fact that the story takes place in a backwater county in Alabama makes the the injustice even more prevalent. The story goes through the early years of the main characters Jem and Scout so the exact time is always changing, however, the more important and intense parts of the story takes place
Throughout the story Scout matures and learns about different types of courage not only from her father but also from people she least expects to display courage. In Harper Lee’s, To Kill a Mockingbird, a true sense of heroism is displayed when the main characters show different types of courage in various difficult social situations. The main character is Atticus Finch. He is a widower, father, lawyer, and neighbor who is just an ordinary man living his life in a simple small community (Jones 34). He is a sincere and considerate human being who has strong beliefs about equality and is uninterested in what others have to say or think about his actions.
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.
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.
"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
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.
“It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends” J.K. Rowling. In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird ,Set Maycomb Alabama during the prejudice 1930’s, characters show that courage is needed to survive the unpleasant times. This theme occurs in Tom Robinson’s court case when he is falsely accused of rape. Heck Tate, a respectful, well mannered man and the Maycomb County Sheriff, learns the importance of courage and standing up for what you believe in during the course of the novel.
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.
“Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corncribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it is a sin to kill a mockingbird” (Lee 94). This quote, delivered in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, introduces the mockingbird which is incorporated symbolically throughout the novel. The mockingbird, in presenting its gifts of music and beauty, is the symbol of Atticus’s practice of altruism because he believes in society’s responsibility to protect those who are vulnerable and innocent.