“Real courage is when you know you’re licked before you begin. But you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.” This quote is spoken by Atticus Finch, the father of Scout and Jem Finch in Harper Lee’s novel To Kill A Mockingbird (1960), states that courage is not "...a man with a gun in his hand", but someone who displays moral courage. In today's society, courage is seen as a physical quality. Today, courage is seen as an absence of fear. The novel challenges society's notion by representing true courage through the characters of Mr Dubose, Atticus Finch, Tom Robinson and Dolphus Raymond. Each of these character's stories signifies moral courage and to try despite the outcome. Harper Lee demonstrates in her novel that true courage
…show more content…
Mrs Dubose was a morphine addict for several years. She could have taken the easy choice and continue her daily morphine intake, she showed sheer will and determination to "die beholden to nothing and nobody". The children, Jem and Scout Finch, saw Mrs Dubose as "the meanest old woman who ever lived", but what they couldn't see the nasty temper and fits was the moral courage Mrs Dubose had. The greatness of her courage, will and determination was shown through the quote between Jem and Atticus, "Did she die free? / As the mountain air." Atticus respected and looked up to Mrs Dubose, despite her derogative comments about him as a "ni**er lover". Therefore, the true courage Mrs Dubose exhibited challenges the 'courage' we think that heroes …show more content…
The racial discrimination of the black community is prominently featured throughout Tom Robinson's trial. Although he was "licked" to begin with, he tells the truth about how Mayella Ewell attempted to seduce him and how he felt sorry for Mayella because nobody cared for her, even though he was under immense scrutiny by the jury and the court observers. "I felt right sorry for her, she seemed to try more'n the rest of--" He is quickly stopped. It is unheard of a black man to pity a white woman. Tom speaks with honesty. He doesn't change the story to make himself look better. Tom shows courage by stating that a white woman advanced towards him which was very controversial at the
Mrs Dubose was a morphine addict for several years. She could have taken the easy choice and continue her daily morphine intake, she showed sheer will and determination to "die beholden to nothing and nobody". The children, Jem and Scout Finch, saw Mrs Dubose as "the meanest old woman who ever lived", but what they couldn't see the nasty temper and fits was the moral courage Mrs Dubose had. The greatness of her courage, will and determination was shown through the quote between Jem and Atticus, "Did she die free? / As the mountain air." Atticus respected and looked up to Mrs Dubose, despite her derogative comments about him as a "ni**er lover". Therefore, the true courage Mrs Dubose exhibited challenges the 'courage' we think that heroes …show more content…
The racial discrimination of the black community is prominently featured throughout Tom Robinson's trial. Although he was "licked" to begin with, he tells the truth about how Mayella Ewell attempted to seduce him and how he felt sorry for Mayella because nobody cared for her, even though he was under immense scrutiny by the jury and the court observers. "I felt right sorry for her, she seemed to try more'n the rest of--" He is quickly stopped. It is unheard of a black man to pity a white woman. Tom speaks with honesty. He doesn't change the story to make himself look better. Tom shows courage by stating that a white woman advanced towards him which was very controversial at the