How Is Real Courage Shown In To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, is about the lives of Scout, Jem and their father Atticus. This story took place in Maycomb, Alabama during the 1930s. Jem and Scout learn about racism and segregation in the southern United States. In this book you will learn how hopeless it is to prove the innocence of a black man who is wrongfully accused of rape, and prove the innocence of a black man who is wrongfully accused of rape, and about a wrongfully judged person, Boo Radley. Atticus says to Jem that he wants his son “to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand.”(112) By saying this Jem learns what real courage is. Courage is shown by Jem, Scout, and Atticus in many ways. Many of them speak with their own opinions. In this novel, courage is the ability to do something that frightens you. One example of a person showing courage is Atticus. Atticus …show more content…
Jem’s idea of courage changes from time to time. For example in the first chapter Jem idea of courage is "In all his life, Jem had never declined a dare." This shows that Jem’s idea of courage is basically showing off and not looking at the consequences. As time progress Jem matures and has a different idea of courage. He learns his new idea of courage from many experiences toward the mad dog, Tim Johnson, the case of Tom Robinson, and with Mrs. Dubose with her addiction and seeing how strong she is. Jem’s most courageous act in To Kill a Mockingbird is when the mob confronted Atticus at the jail to try to kill Tom Robinson and anyone who stood in their way. Jem shows his courage by blocking the way of the men and by not letting them in. He also refused to obey Atticus’ word when he told him to leave. This shows that Jem was trying to protect Atticus from the mob and was doing that by refusing to leave. This also shows how his definition of courage changes from time to time from foolishness to