In To Kill a Mockingbird, as Jem and Scout mature, Atticus teaches them how one must be courageous to be able to look beyond the social standards of their society, and fight for what is right. Overtime, Jem and Scout realize this as they understand Atticus’ reason for taking on Tom Robinson’s case. Atticus tells Scout that, “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,” (140). Atticus believes that despite others’ opinions, a person needs to abide by one’s own morals and do what is right. As Atticus defends Tom Robinson, he exposes the children to the disapproval of the townsfolks, who condemns him. Jem and Scout begin to realize that it takes courage to go against the majority to stand up
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When Scouts’ fellow classmates taunt her about her father defending a black man, she controls her impulse to fight them as she thinks about the promise to Atticus to not fight anyone. Many people, including Jem and Scout sometimes think courage is the ability to use strength to get one’s way. However, Atticus defines courage as, “when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what,” (149). He believes that courage is doing the right thing no matter the outcome, win or lose. Atticus wants to teach Jem and Scout that when standing up for one’s beliefs, never back down. He also illustrates to Jem and Scout through Mrs. Dubose’s courage, that no matter what, always do the right thing. Mrs. Dubose fights against her addiction to morphine, even though she knows that it is probably a lost cause. Through this, Jem and Scout slowly realize what real courage is. Courage is not, “a man with a gun in his hand,” (149). Courage is someone who has enough bravery to stand up for what they believe in, not someone who uses their strength to get their way. Jem recognizes how much courage it takes to stand up for what is right
When Scouts’ fellow classmates taunt her about her father defending a black man, she controls her impulse to fight them as she thinks about the promise to Atticus to not fight anyone. Many people, including Jem and Scout sometimes think courage is the ability to use strength to get one’s way. However, Atticus defines courage as, “when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what,” (149). He believes that courage is doing the right thing no matter the outcome, win or lose. Atticus wants to teach Jem and Scout that when standing up for one’s beliefs, never back down. He also illustrates to Jem and Scout through Mrs. Dubose’s courage, that no matter what, always do the right thing. Mrs. Dubose fights against her addiction to morphine, even though she knows that it is probably a lost cause. Through this, Jem and Scout slowly realize what real courage is. Courage is not, “a man with a gun in his hand,” (149). Courage is someone who has enough bravery to stand up for what they believe in, not someone who uses their strength to get their way. Jem recognizes how much courage it takes to stand up for what is right