To Kill A Mockingbird is a book about courage to what extent do you agree with this? Harper Lee's first novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, displays the life of a small southern family struggling through the depression in Maycomb, Alabama. Seen through the innocent eyes of a young child are the events and people of Maycomb. Courage is a major theme in the novel but there are other themes like the Hypocrisy, Protecting the innocent and Prejudice, which are brought out to the same extent. The author explores the idea of courage in the novel. Atticus shows true courage by defending Tom Robinson, a black man charged with the rape of a white woman. Atticus continues to fight for justice despite knowing he can’t win the case because he is doing what he knows is right. The town is against this….. This is shown when Atticus watches over Tom Robinson outside his goal cell the night he has been moved to the local goal. There are concerns about the possibility of a lynch mob. Mrs. Dubose is another example of true courage in this novel. Mrs. Dubose always yells at the children, enraging Jem. One Day when she insults Atticus, Jem wrecks her garden. As Punishment he is forced to read to her for a month. During this time Mrs. Dubose seems in a fog and has fits towards the end of the sessions. About a month after Jem finished his punishment Mrs. Dubose Dies. Atticus explains that Mrs. Dubose was a morphine addict because of her illness but she had decided that she wanted to leave this world beholden to nothing and nobody. By overcoming a morphine addiction, we see that Ms. Dubose was a woman of tremendous strength and character. She was not going to spend her last days as a drug addict, and despite the pain that it caused her, she succ... ... middle of paper ... ...p the saintly J. Grimes Everett and the Mruna tribe in Africa they neglect to help the poor in Maycomb. They are happy to help people in another country but blatantly ignore the people in need on their own doorstep. This issue is important because it shows that how willing people are to help out people in another country but ignore the goings on of their own town. The idea of “true courage” is used throughout this text, however so are other equally important themes such as protection of the innocent, prejudice and hypocrisy. Despite that this book was written in the 1930’s it’s idea’s are still very relevant today. I feel that prejudice and hypocrisy are especially common in small towns such as Gunnedah. Although peoples attitudes towards things like racism have not completely changed we must not give up hope, we must have faith in the good of all people.
Courage is a praised characteristic in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Many characters embody the true meaning of courage, although different aspects of courage are illustrated throughout the course of the novel. Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose, an elderly ill-tempered woman, shows admirable determination by kicking her morphine addiction on her deathbed. Atticus Finch, a lawyer in a Southern town plagued by racism, defends a colored man in the South without submitting to social pressures. A reclusive, yet benevolent Boo Radley confronts his fear of the outside world and leaves his home in order to save the lives of two children from a murderous drunk. Scout and Jem’s interpretation of courage continues to change through the course of their experiences, and they begin to understand the perspectives of those who demonstrate courage. By adhering to strong moral convictions, and demonstrating incredible willpower and determination, each of these characters proves to be courageous in his or her own right.
Maycomb, a small town in Southern Alabama suffers considerably during the Great Depression. Poverty outstretches from prosperous families, like the Finches, to the Negroes and “white trash” the Ewells, who live adjacent to the town dump. Harper Lee, the author portrays a graphic image of everyday life in this southern town where tempers and discrimination erupt into quarrel. Racism, domestic violence, and poverty are all themes that are associated within To Kill a Mockingbird and are symbolized by many of the main characters to send a message. First of all racism is the main focus portrayed in To Kill a Mockingbird, it is symbolized by Tom Robinson and Atticus Finch.
“‘Old Mr. Bob Ewell accused him of rapin’ his girl an’ had him arrested an’ put in jail---’” (Lee 164). To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, takes place in a settled town called Maycomb in Alabama. It is based during the early 1930’s when the Great Depression hit. Poverty reaches everyone from families like the Finches to the “white trash” Ewells. Soon the settled town Maycomb gets into conflict characterized by poverty, racism, and domestic violence.
In To Kill a Mockingbird, the most important theme was the defiance of social prejudices. The Finch family defy racism and receive hate and trouble from both the adults and children of their community. Their struggles come together in a case that accurately describes historical realities that existed in the
In conclusion, Atticus, Mrs. Dubose, and Jem are three of the main characters who show definite examples of courage. Atticus teaches the readers to do what we think is right, and to keep going even if it seems impossible. Mrs. Dubose teaches the readers that courage is not a man with a gun in his hand, but that courage takes determination, perseverance, and always continuing on, fighting against the odds. Lastly, Jem teaches the readers that as you grow, your perspective of courage changes and you should always follow your own beliefs on what is right or wrong. Courage in To Kill a Mockingbird is evidently important, as learning from these characters can be beneficial to the reader later on.
Atticus stepped out of his comfort zone as soon as he had left the family property, an area of land that was to be inherited by the oldest male member of each generation. He also went to pursue a field that he was not particularly interested in, criminal law. Not only does he fail at his first two cases, but he then proceeds to take a case which he knows that he will lose. During the testimony of Tom Robinson, an African American man who is accused of raping a white woman, the evidence presented by Atticus clearly proves Tom’s innocence but considering the prejudice of the 1930’s towards African Americans, the jury thinks that Tom Robinson should be killed. Even though Atticus Finch lost yet another case this evidence stands to prove that Atticus Finch was willing to defy society and give a doomed man a fair shot at life or death.
A girl was being bullied, and had sat on the curb and sobbed into her knees. Suddenly, a boy sees this young girl in agony, and finds the courage to comfort her despite of what his peers might say about the situation. Through his words were few, to her it meant many. Moral courage is the ability to stand up for what one believes in. To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee takes place in a small town in Maycomb County of Alabama. In such an area during the 1930s, the people living there were prejudice, sexist, and had set male and female roles. In addition to this, not only was society at a low but this area suffered from an economic low known as the Great Depression. However, despite all this, Harper Lee effectively uses “To Kill a Mockingbird”
In upholding his courteous standards and professional stature in the most difficult of circumstances, Atticus constantly demonstrates his courage of mind and heart, even in the face of the most relentless adversaries. However, Atticus’ most difficult, controversial and brave endeavor lies in the legal battle of the Ewells and a local man of color, Tom Robinson. As the county-appointed lawyer of a black defendant in a 1930’s Southern community, Atticus is put under great pressure from his peers to botch the case, giving into racial prejudice, while facing the prospect of persecution if his actions follow otherwise. Even so, Atticus defies stereotypes in not only striving to clear Mr. Robinson’s name, but nearly succeeding in accomplishing such an unprecedented task. However, as a result of his legal dealings, Atticus and his household are targeted with the berrating of neighbors, friends, and even family leading up to the case. Scout and Jem cannot venture outside their street without the repeated negative assertions of the town, one neighbor yelling “Your father’s no better than the n***** trash he works for(135).” In such environments lies Atticus’ brave dealing of the situation. He, despite the judgement of others, presses forth to the end, his persistence only matched by his continuous empathetic treatment of others. Setting an example for his children, Atticus proves that bravery can be achieved not only through bold and courageous acts but quiet and steadfast doings. Atticus also demonstrates bravery amidst the heat of the Tom Robinson case. As he defined during Mrs. Dubose’s era, Atticus considers bravery to be “when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what(149).” With a southern-grown, all-white judge and jury, Tom Robinson has literally no
In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the theme of courage is seen through the actions of many characters; I have also seen many examples of courage in my own life through current events, such as news stories about Aly Raisman, and courage is also seen in my personal experiences, such as the time my cousin had moved to New York. The definition of courage is the ability to do something that frightens one or strength in the face of pain or grief. Also, Atticus says, “It’s when you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.”
To begin, Tom Robinson is a black man whose voice goes unnoticed and ignored. His situation is uncontrollable and hopeless. This is specifically displayed within the walls of the courtroom. Although Atticus prepares a strong case to defend him, he stands with no chance and the man on the stand (Judge Taylor) understands this. When the judgment is confirmed to Tom he is devastated. He loses all hope that he previously had gained in Atticus and the justice system. The invisible man is convicted of a crime he did not commit and knows the colour of his skin was a deciding factor. Atticus promises Tom an appeal in the future, but Tom cannot see how the court can come to any different conclusion. A short time later, when Atticus delivers the news that Tom has tried to escape prison and in turn was shot and killed, he gives context to the situation when saying “I guess Tom was tired of white men’s chances and preferred to take his own” (235-236). Atticus is determined to control a circumstance which is uncontrollable and as a result, he loses faith in the justice system and in Maycomb. He uses his vast knowledge of the justice system and faith in the Judge to let the town have an ounce of control. This control is valuable and misused, causing the man whose life was on the line to perish. All of those individuals around Atticus felt the effects of
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.
The novel to kill a mocking bird written by Harper Lee Is a novel of injustice, of black people in the 1930’s The novel brings up many cases of courage which we will be discussed, The narrators farther Atticus is a well-respected man throughout the town and teaches his children many things such as colour does not matter and that you have to respect the people older than you like Mrs Dubose, who is a grouchy old woman to the children even though she is one of the bravest characters throughout the novel because she is a morphine addict who had promised to get clean before dying, Atticus is one of the most well respected characters, He strives to teach his children Scout and Jem about how courage is always there and how you just have to look for it. Atticus wants his children to comprehend that on top of there always being courage, that there are numerous different ways a person can show ways of courage.
Even though Atticus presented a winning case, proving that Tom Robison was innocent the jury decided that Tom was ‘guilty as charged.’ Tom was sentenced to life in prison. “I will appeal as soon as we can, we knew we wouldn’t win this one. I will go see Helen first thing in the morning.” These were the last words Atticus spoke to Tom before Tom attempted to escape and was shot dead. In the small town of Maycomb County, society is controlled by racism. Atticus is one of the few white town folk who didn’t let skin colour control his way of thinking. He teaches this to his children Scout and Jem. “You got to walk a mile in someone’s else’s skin.” The Juries decision in the end was political and not correct. They convicted Tom Robinson not because he was guilty but because he was a Negro. The Negro’s in this town were viewed as lesser people and most white people don’t understand them and were afraid of the Negro community. Even though Atticus’ cases failed he was still congratulated by the Negro community who were watching the court case from the balcony. What Atticus did in the courtroom was stand up and allow a Negro person to have a voice, putting a stop to the never-ending racial hating
"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,'" Atticus solemnly explains this to his brother. First of all, Atticus demonstrates courage when he undertakes the task of defending Tom Robinson, a black man wrongly accused of rape. Atticus knows he won't win the case and like Mrs. Dubose in her battle against morphine, he is "licked" before he begins. Nevertheless, Atticus knows that Tom is innocent and that he must fight for him, since no one else will. Atticus's strong sense of morality and justice motivates him to defend Tom with vigor and determination, giving it all he's got with one mission in mind. He wants the people of Maycomb town, whether they believe it or not, to hear the truth about Tom, "That boy might go to the chair, but he's not going till the truth's told"
First of all, Mrs. Dubose shows courage because she stands up for herself. Mrs. Dubose did not rely on other people, she was her own person, She died standing up for herself, and that was the bravest thing to do in Atticus’ eyes. “You rarely win, but sometimes you do. Mrs. Dubose won, all ninety-eight pounds of her. According to her views, she died