Representation Of Courage In To Kill A Mockingbird

Harper Lee was born on April 28, 1926, in Monroeville, Alabama. She was a tomboy and the youngest of four children living in a small town. To Kill a Mockingbird takes place in Maycomb, Alabama with the main characters being Scout, Jem, Dill, and Atticus along with many other important characters. Scout, Jem, and Dill are soon to become obsessed with trying to make Boo Radley come out of his house. Atticus defends Tom Robinson’s court case, which was for raping Mayella Ewell, and he was obviously innocent, but got shot and killed trying to run in the end. Bob Ewell is furious at Atticus and he tries to kill Scout and Jem, luckily for them, Boo Radley saved the day and killed Mr. Ewell. Furthermore, courage is a very important concept and theme …show more content…
For example, in To Kill a Mockingbird Atticus tried to explain to Scout what true courage is so she can use it and apply it to her everyday life. Atticus indicated, “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what” (149). Harper Lee means that even when people think they are already defeated, but they keep going and not give up, is true courage. In addition, Scout exhibits a great deal of courage as a young person. She stands up to Jem and Dill when they tell her to go away as she walks into the backyard where they were talking and playing. Lee reported, that Scout said - “When I join them, as usual, they said go away. Will not. This yard’s as much mine as it is yours, Jem Finch. I go just as much right to play in it as you have” (61). Scout is growing up and she is developing more and more courage and belief in herself, she won't let herself get bossed around. Furthermore, Jem refuses to leave the jail where Atticus is at, even though he tells him to leave and take Scout and Dill home. Atticus remarked, “Go home Jem, he said. Take Scout and Dill home...Son, I said go home. Jem shook his head” (203). It takes courage to say no to someone, especially when Jem is saying this to his dad. To summarize, as …show more content…
For instance, the black community of Maycomb has brought Atticus and his family baskets of food to thank him for his defense of Tom Robinson. The author mentions, “The kitchen was loaded with enough food to bury the family: hunks of salt pork, tomatoes, beans, and even scuppernongs. Atticus grinned when he found a jar of pickled pigs’ knuckles. Reckon Aunty’ll let me eat these in the dining room” (286). It took courage for Atticus to do what he did for Tom Robinson and the black community sees that. The diction and word choice helps put together this moment of courage with words like “reckon” and “Aunty’ll. Furthermore, Mrs. Dubose is fighting a battle against morphine. Lee indicated, “Easy does it, son,” Atticus would say. “She’s an old lady and she’s ill. You just hold your head high and be a gentleman. Whatever she says to you, it’s your job not to let her make you mad” (133). It takes courage to fight the battle against morphine that Mrs. Dubose is dealing with. Atticus uses precise diction to tell Jem to be respectful to Mrs. Dubose because of the illness she is fighting. Equally important, on the day of the trial, Mr. Underwood did what was right and fought against himself even though he doesn’t like black people. Harper Lee remarked, “You know, it’s a funny about Braxton,” said Atticus. “He despises Negroes, won’t