Examples Of Bravery In To Kill A Mockingbird

Everyone was born with the capacity to be brave, it's what you do with that capacity that defines who you are. In the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses examples of bravery with her characters, Atticus and Jem. Those characters have intense moments where there is no other choice but to be valiant in the situation they are put into. Bravery is when someone displays an act that no one else would dare to or normally do. Audacious means doing an action that no one else would even think to do. For example, Jem shows fearlessness when his father is surrounded by men and Jem chooses to stay and protect his father, even though he was told to return home (Lee 203). Jem would usually listen to his father, but when he see’s a threat, he is determined to protect his father. Jem didn’t have any weapons and he came into this situation blind, but even though he couldn't defend …show more content…
For example, Atticus is appointed Tom’s case, which he could have declined, but not only did he accept it, but he also “aimed to defend [Tom]. That's what [people] don't like about it” (Lee 218). Atticus didn't have to do this, but he knows it’s the right thing to do and he isn't going to let people’s opinions stop him from making the right decision. Another example of Atticus being brave is when Mr. Ewell came up to him, spit in his face, and threatened to kill him, but “Atticus didn't bat an eye, just took out his handkerchief and wiped his face and stood there and let Mr. Ewell call him names…” (Lee 291). Atticus could have told Mr. Ewell to back off or even swing at him, but he chose to let the man let out his anger and then Atticus just left him at that and peacefully left afterwards. Courage doesn’t just randomly pop up, it’s certain people that choose to do the better option and have a lot of self control while doing