To Kill A Moking Bird Essays - To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus Finch

To Kill A Moking Bird To Kill a Mockingbird- The theme of courage In 1960, Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird was published. It is a story about growing up, human dignity and prejudgment. It is a story about courage. Courage is mental or moral strength to venture, persevere and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. The theme of courage is embodied in the characters of the novel. Courage is apparent in Atticus, Boo, and Jem. Throughout the novel, the actions and feelings these characters exhibit shows the true meaning of courage. Atticus Finch is a studious man with a sense of morality that no other character in the book comes close to matching. Atticus' behavior is governed by reason, morals and values- not cheap popularity. In the novel, Atticus takes on the Tom Robinson case. When asked about the reason he takes on this case, Atticus simply relies, ?But do you think I could face my children otherwise This is truly an act of admirable courage because he goes against all odds of the prejudice town and takes on this case. Atticus is harassed and tormented by the town for taking on the case. Yet he would rather be taunted than to go against his morals. This is courageous of him because he performs this courageous act and expects nothing in return. By taking on this case, Atticus is harassed by Bob Ewell. When Bob spits in Atticus' face, all Atticus says is, ?I wish Bob Ewell wouldn't chew tobacco.? Instead of sinking to Bob Ewells' level, Attics takes the harassment and takes it with his head held high. This ability to withstand harassment from Bob Ewell, and Maycomb, is courage. Atticus shoots Tim Johnson- a ?mad dog? with rabies. Atticus places his own life in danger in order to protect the lives of others. This event occurs at the perfect time in the story, just as the kids label Atticus as being ?feeble: he was nearly 50.? Shooting Tim Johnson proves to the children Atticus is anything but feeble, he is indeed courageous. As the reader can clearly see, Atticus epitomizes the definition of courage. Courage, in Atticus' opinion, is not being able to fight with fists but to fight with knowledge and dignity. Atticus tells the children, ?I wanted you to see what real courage is instead of the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. Its when you known your licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do.? Atticus acknowledges this as courage. He knows he will never win the Tom Robinson case, yet he continues to give it 101%. Without any doubt, Atticus is the definition of courage. The man who is ostracized by Maycomb, the man who lives in mysterious seclusion- all words describing Boo Radley. Though never stated, it is implied that Boo is a recluse because of his mean-spirited brother, Nathan. Yet Boo truly does want to be part of the ?outside world,? though he somewhat fears it. Boo proves to be courageous because he goes against the wishes of Nathan and leaves various paraphernalia in the knothole of the big oak tree. Rumors travel around town about Boo, such as ?Boo drove the scissors into his parent's leg, pulled them out, wiped them clean and resumed his activities.? Boo is able to ignore such rumors and carry on. This shows courage, the courage to live life even when presented with many obstacles. When Bob Ewell attempts to make an attack on the children, Boo rushes in to save their lives. Boo doesn't think twice about his life, only thinking about others. Boo is a scrawny character, Bob Ewell is definitely bigger in size then Boo. Yet Boo acts courageously and looks danger in the eye- all for others. Jem Finch is the character that changes most during the course of the novel. He starts off as a gawky boy and turns into a mature and courageous young adult. Courage is evident in Jem. It takes courage for Jem to be the way he is in the story- opinionated and strong-willed. All of the people around Jem constantly