Jumping off a cliff, shooting someone, or fighting are just some examples of what are considered brave. Although in To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee gives a different view of real courage as one of her themes and what it means to be brave. She shows it through many of her characters like Atticus, the wise lawyer and Mrs. Dubose, a rapacious old lady. She even has the quietest of the characters show courage in his actions. Courage is not being able to shoot, but to be able to attempt at something that would hard to accomplish. Through out To Kill a Mockingbird there are many examples of real courage and some characters would be Atticus, Mrs. Dubose, and Boo. Atticus is the first to show the real definition of courage. In this part of the book he is given a case to defend a black man since he is a lawyer. The town in which he lives in is very segregated and prejudice, so the chances of him winning the case are slim to none.
His daughter Scout asks him ‘…Are we going to win it?’ ‘No.’…’Then why—‘ ‘…We were licked a hundred years before…no reason for us no to try…'(76).
This is showing courage because in Harper Lee’s definition courage is ‘…When you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through…'(112).
Atticus is going through with his case, even though his chances to win are slim. No matter what people call him, he has the courage to see it through. Even when Heck discourages him by saying ‘You’ve got everything to lose from this, Atticus. I mean everything'(146).
The Essay on Bob Ewell Courage Atticus Boo
... the novel, the actions and feelings these characters exhibit shows the true meaning of courage. Atticus Finch is a studious man with a ... act and expects nothing in return. By taking on this case, Atticus is harassed by Bob Ewell. When Bob spits in ... children, I wanted you to see what real courage is instead of the idea that courage is a man with a gun in ...
Atticus could’ve easily given up, but instead he sticks through it. This is showing courage through the toughest of times. So even though something maybe hard, facing it is a sign of true courage. Though Mrs. Dubose is an old lady, she is still able to show courage in what she does.
Mrs. Dubose is always yelling at Scout and Jem for no real reason. One day Jem gets furious with her snide comments and destroys her camellia bushes. So as a punishment, Jem and Scout have to stay after and read to Mrs. Dubos. eScout notices that they “…Had been staying a little longer at Mrs. Dubose’s, that the alarm clock went off a few minutes later everyday…”(109).
What Mrs. Dubose was doing was slowly getting off of morphine, since she was an addict. This isn’t’ an easy task to attain. It takes real courage, which is what Mrs. Dubose has. By showing that, no matter how hard the burden, she was still able to see it through and this shows her courage. Even Atticus is impressed by her courage. He knew what she was doing, that’s why he had the kids help her every day for a month. He knew her goal ‘…
Was going to leave this world beholden to nothing and nobody'(111).
This shows real courage because she is willing to take her life to achieve something. She also shows courage by dying the right way, without the help of morphine. Mrs. Dubose greatly shows her courage by sticking with morals and going the difficult path. Lastly, Boo Radley maybe quiet, but he is very courageous in actions towards the kids. He doesn’t get out much but when the kids get in trouble, he’s there for them. At this point in the book Jem and Scout are walking home at night after a pageant. They are getting attacked and Scout describes what is happening. She describes what Boo does “…like lightening and pulling me with…”(262).
Since Boo rarely gets out he risks his life to save the children from Bob. This shows courage because he is putting his life in danger before others. This isn’t the first time he puts his life at risk. In the beginning he sneaks out of the house and puts little trinkets in the tree hole. Scout reminisces about what Boo has all done for them. “He gave us two soap dolls…And our lives“(278).
The Essay on Mrs Dubose Jem People Scout
Harper Lee portrayed Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose in an unique style. Mrs. Dubose was a very ill woman who only has a nigger woman as company. Her illness had separated her from socializing with friends and had restricted her from doing things that normal women are doing. For instance, having afternoon tea with neighbors, or taking a night stroll with friends. Mrs. Dubose was a very straight ...
Boo continuously risks his life for the children. He is not able to go outside, but he does anyway.
This is very courageous because he could be caught any time and faces more consequences. Atticus, Mrs. Dubose, and Boo are only a few characters who show real courage in To Kill a Mockingbird. Whether it’s standing up to other’s words or accomplishing the impossible, these three show much courage. Atticus goes against what other think of him and keeps moving on. Mrs. Dubose challenges herself and gets off morphine finally. Boo put his life on the line for children. All of these things are courageous. Not doing dares or skydiving, these aren’t real courage.