Real Courage In To Kill A Mockingbird

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In the book, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch wants his son, Jem, “to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand” [page 112]. Lee portrays this idea of courage throughout the first half of TKAM. Jem learns from Atticus when he tells Jem to care for Mrs. Dubose even though she harrasses Jem and Scout everyday on their Father's doings. Jem and Scout have changed a lot in character over Part one of the book. Jem and Scout are more mature after they realise that Atticus is taking a case for an African American, therefore they are harassed for their Father’s doings. The characters that best exemplify courage in this book I believe is Atticus, because of all the harassment he goes through on a daily basis. I believe Atticus has courage because according to the text it states, …show more content…
Atticus portrays this idea of courage frequently in TKAM. I know Lee ues the idea of courage because Atticus states “ … every lawyer gets at least one case in his lifetime that affects him personally… you might hear some ugly talk about it at school, but do one thing for if you will: you just hold your head high and keep those fists down. No matter what anybody says to you” [page 101]. Atticus is teaching Scout and Jem little by little how to be courageous in the presence of people with sour opinions, bad attitudes etc. Scout, Jem, and Dill show courage when they go to the Radley house in the summer. They try to communicate with Boo Radley many, many times during the school year also. The children believe that Boo is giving them gifts in the tree in his front yard. After a couple of days they decide to thank him for the presents but, when they arrive to give the letter, the knot hole was filled with cement. They belief that Mr. Nathan filled the hole so they couldn't get anymore gifts from