The Idea of Bravery
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee tells the story of two kids about their life growing up in the south during the Great Depression. Jean “Scout” Louise Finch and Jeremy “Jem” Atticus Finch, Scout’s older brother, are under the influence of their father, Atticus Finch. Atticus is a conspicuous lawyer who teaches his children life lessons throughout the course of three summers. Jem, Scout, and their friend, Dill, learn about racism, tradition, and standing up for yourself. Bravery is manifest throughout the story in Scout, Jem, Boo, and Atticus’ actions.
Bravery doesn’t necessarily have to be out in the open, for some acts of heroism are done in the shadows in the Radley Place. Arthur Boo Radley is introduced into the novel …show more content…
Midway through the novel after Dill was allowed to stay in Maycomb for the summer, Jem opens the door to see a group of men lead by Mr. Heck Tate. They wanted Atticus to come outside and asked for his presence and this causes Scout to get really interested to hear what Mr. Heck Tate has to discuss with Atticus. “In Maycomb, grown men stood outside in the front yard for only two reasons: death and politics. I wondered who had died.” (193). The more Jem and Scout listened, they learn that the two grown men are talking about Tom Robinson’s stay in jail. “Suddenly Jem screamed ‘Atticus, the telephone’s ringing!’” (195). Jem witnesses that if Atticus and Mr. Heck Tate continues to have their talk, it would escalate very quickly, so Jem quickly lies that the telephone is ringing to get his dad out of there. Another act of bravery that Jem and Scout did is when Atticus leaves the house one night, the Finch siblings gets curious. “‘He’s takin’ the car,’ said Jem. Our father had a few peculiarities: one was, he never ate desserts; another was that he liked to walk.” (198). They show up at the courthouse to confirm Atticus is there. Jem’s relieve and decided to go home when a mob of men shows up. When Atticus asks Jem to take Scout and Dill home, Jem refuses to do so. One of the men grabs Jem by the collar. “‘I’ll send him home,’ a …show more content…
At the beginning of the story, Scout almost got into a fight with Cecil Jacobs, one of Scout’s classmates, when he brought up the topic that her father defends Negroes. When Scout got home, she immediately asks Atticus if he really does defends Negroes. Atticus says that all lawyers defend Negroes and explains about the complexities of race relations in Maycomb. “‘...you aren’t old enough to some things yet, but there’s been some high talk around town to the effect that I shouldn’t do much about defending this man.’” (100). “‘The main one is, if I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this county in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again.’” (100). Despite most of Maycomb telling Atticus not to defend Tom Robinson, he still did, even though his reputation is on the line. In Atticus’ perspective, it's all about self-respect and can't hold his head if does less than his best. Though Atticus was able to prove Tom’s innocence, the court didn’t acknowledge it. Despite his reputation, he stood his ground and did what is morally right. Atticus stands up for what he believes and uses his power as a lawyer to speak up about what is
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee tells the story of two kids about their life growing up in the south during the Great Depression. Jean “Scout” Louise Finch and Jeremy “Jem” Atticus Finch, Scout’s older brother, are under the influence of their father, Atticus Finch. Atticus is a conspicuous lawyer who teaches his children life lessons throughout the course of three summers. Jem, Scout, and their friend, Dill, learn about racism, tradition, and standing up for yourself. Bravery is manifest throughout the story in Scout, Jem, Boo, and Atticus’ actions.
Bravery doesn’t necessarily have to be out in the open, for some acts of heroism are done in the shadows in the Radley Place. Arthur Boo Radley is introduced into the novel …show more content…
Midway through the novel after Dill was allowed to stay in Maycomb for the summer, Jem opens the door to see a group of men lead by Mr. Heck Tate. They wanted Atticus to come outside and asked for his presence and this causes Scout to get really interested to hear what Mr. Heck Tate has to discuss with Atticus. “In Maycomb, grown men stood outside in the front yard for only two reasons: death and politics. I wondered who had died.” (193). The more Jem and Scout listened, they learn that the two grown men are talking about Tom Robinson’s stay in jail. “Suddenly Jem screamed ‘Atticus, the telephone’s ringing!’” (195). Jem witnesses that if Atticus and Mr. Heck Tate continues to have their talk, it would escalate very quickly, so Jem quickly lies that the telephone is ringing to get his dad out of there. Another act of bravery that Jem and Scout did is when Atticus leaves the house one night, the Finch siblings gets curious. “‘He’s takin’ the car,’ said Jem. Our father had a few peculiarities: one was, he never ate desserts; another was that he liked to walk.” (198). They show up at the courthouse to confirm Atticus is there. Jem’s relieve and decided to go home when a mob of men shows up. When Atticus asks Jem to take Scout and Dill home, Jem refuses to do so. One of the men grabs Jem by the collar. “‘I’ll send him home,’ a …show more content…
At the beginning of the story, Scout almost got into a fight with Cecil Jacobs, one of Scout’s classmates, when he brought up the topic that her father defends Negroes. When Scout got home, she immediately asks Atticus if he really does defends Negroes. Atticus says that all lawyers defend Negroes and explains about the complexities of race relations in Maycomb. “‘...you aren’t old enough to some things yet, but there’s been some high talk around town to the effect that I shouldn’t do much about defending this man.’” (100). “‘The main one is, if I didn’t I couldn’t hold up my head in town, I couldn’t represent this county in the legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem not to do something again.’” (100). Despite most of Maycomb telling Atticus not to defend Tom Robinson, he still did, even though his reputation is on the line. In Atticus’ perspective, it's all about self-respect and can't hold his head if does less than his best. Though Atticus was able to prove Tom’s innocence, the court didn’t acknowledge it. Despite his reputation, he stood his ground and did what is morally right. Atticus stands up for what he believes and uses his power as a lawyer to speak up about what is