The Warrior, The Dead man and The Outcast
“Courage is not simply one of the virtues but the form of every virtue at the testing point, which means at the point of highest reality.” – C.S. Lewis
The common belief is that courage is reserved only for conflict, that it is something needed when there is a crisis. This belief is partially correct, but when courage is broken down we can see that it is not limited to just that. Courage is an individual’s action in any part of life that tests and pushes their morals, values, beliefs and physical being. The diversity of the word courage and its meaning is explored in the novel, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ (Harper Lee, 1989). This novel shows us the different types of courage, the moral courage of a warrior, …show more content…
This demonstration of courage is personified through Harper Lee’s character, Atticus. As father of the Finch household, Atticus has many moments where his courage shines through when he talks about the failure of morality in this world.
Atticus says, “...do you think I could face my children otherwise?... Why reasonable people go stark raving mad when anything involving a Negro comes up, is something I don’t pretend to understand...” (Harper Lee, 1989, Pg. 98)
This statement comes from a discussion around Atticus’ involvement in the court case of a black man, Tom Robinson. Atticus due to his skill as a lawyer is required to defend Tom, even though it went against society's expectation. Atticus’ moral courage is put on full display when he says, “...do you think I could face my children otherwise?...” (Harper Lee, 1989) This rhetorical question shows that Atticus is not impressed with the racist lifestyle his children are required to grow up in. His moral compass would not allow the chance to save a life go, no matter the race. In the next section of the quote Atticus addresses the issue of the white mentality. Atticus questions how one life can be more valuable just based on skin colour. Sadly, no matter how hard Atticus fought, at that time, in the racist town of Maycomb, nothing would change the end result. He goes against his town for what he believes, he shows …show more content…
‘Weren’t you concerned with Mayella’s condition?’
‘I most positively was,’ said Mr Ewell. ‘I seen who done it.’ (Harper Lee, 1989, Pg. 193)
Honest courage requires one to be genuine in every way, Bob casts the blame onto Tom immediately. In the end, Tom may be innocent, but he is the minority. When the words a black man, whether truthful or not, are compared to a white man’s claims the black man will always lose. It takes courage for a dead man to speak the truth, because when the dead do, the immortals seek to destroy them.
An outcast needs to live with a zest filled courage to make them feel alive wherever they choose to be. Courage is not limited to standing up to others but it also includes accepting yourself and who you are. Mr. Dolphus Raymond is the perfect example of this, zesty courage. Dolphus is the outcast of Maycomb, he is a wealthy white man who spends most of his time with the black minority. He is always drinking from a bottle in a paper bag and most would describe him as insane. Mr. Raymond is unaffected by what society thinks of him, carefree and happy with his life. Dolphus’ paper bag and his straw suggest that he is an alcoholic, but as Dill finds
“Courage is not simply one of the virtues but the form of every virtue at the testing point, which means at the point of highest reality.” – C.S. Lewis
The common belief is that courage is reserved only for conflict, that it is something needed when there is a crisis. This belief is partially correct, but when courage is broken down we can see that it is not limited to just that. Courage is an individual’s action in any part of life that tests and pushes their morals, values, beliefs and physical being. The diversity of the word courage and its meaning is explored in the novel, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ (Harper Lee, 1989). This novel shows us the different types of courage, the moral courage of a warrior, …show more content…
This demonstration of courage is personified through Harper Lee’s character, Atticus. As father of the Finch household, Atticus has many moments where his courage shines through when he talks about the failure of morality in this world.
Atticus says, “...do you think I could face my children otherwise?... Why reasonable people go stark raving mad when anything involving a Negro comes up, is something I don’t pretend to understand...” (Harper Lee, 1989, Pg. 98)
This statement comes from a discussion around Atticus’ involvement in the court case of a black man, Tom Robinson. Atticus due to his skill as a lawyer is required to defend Tom, even though it went against society's expectation. Atticus’ moral courage is put on full display when he says, “...do you think I could face my children otherwise?...” (Harper Lee, 1989) This rhetorical question shows that Atticus is not impressed with the racist lifestyle his children are required to grow up in. His moral compass would not allow the chance to save a life go, no matter the race. In the next section of the quote Atticus addresses the issue of the white mentality. Atticus questions how one life can be more valuable just based on skin colour. Sadly, no matter how hard Atticus fought, at that time, in the racist town of Maycomb, nothing would change the end result. He goes against his town for what he believes, he shows …show more content…
‘Weren’t you concerned with Mayella’s condition?’
‘I most positively was,’ said Mr Ewell. ‘I seen who done it.’ (Harper Lee, 1989, Pg. 193)
Honest courage requires one to be genuine in every way, Bob casts the blame onto Tom immediately. In the end, Tom may be innocent, but he is the minority. When the words a black man, whether truthful or not, are compared to a white man’s claims the black man will always lose. It takes courage for a dead man to speak the truth, because when the dead do, the immortals seek to destroy them.
An outcast needs to live with a zest filled courage to make them feel alive wherever they choose to be. Courage is not limited to standing up to others but it also includes accepting yourself and who you are. Mr. Dolphus Raymond is the perfect example of this, zesty courage. Dolphus is the outcast of Maycomb, he is a wealthy white man who spends most of his time with the black minority. He is always drinking from a bottle in a paper bag and most would describe him as insane. Mr. Raymond is unaffected by what society thinks of him, carefree and happy with his life. Dolphus’ paper bag and his straw suggest that he is an alcoholic, but as Dill finds