... life, Jem had never declined a dare."(Lee 13). As Jem matures, and the story progresses, Jem's thoughts on what makes himself a courageous person change. Courage is a theme that shows precedence throughout To Kill a Mockingbird. Harper Lee uses a multitude of examples and characters to make this theme evident. Jem is ... the character that best allows us to derive the true meaning of the theme courage. Jem has a drive deep within himself to help others, he is brave and does what no one else dares to do, and learns from ... wouldn't care if he couldn't do anything-I wouldn't care if he c...

• Word Count: 915
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... longer dependant on it. She may have died in a lot of pain, but she died courageously, she died without her body numbed. Atticus Finch is another example of courage. He defended Tom Robinson, which is a very courageous act to do when being a white man. He didn't refuse Judge Taylor when he assigned this case to ... he needed to, because it was the right thing to do. Having to go through all the name-callings, the ridicule, the hatred was a true act of courage. He didn't care if it was socially unacceptable to be in favour of a black man; he only cared that it was morally right. Another c...

• Word Count: 747
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... and ideas expressed by Atticus Finch are just as true today as when he spoke them and that they have much to teach today's adolescents about courage, tolerance and decency. Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird is seen through the eyes of perhaps the worst period of time in the United States ... his community still have much to tell adolescents today about tolerance, decency and justice. I think that one of the major themes of To Kill a Mockingbird is courage. At a time when racism was widespread in the United States, Atticus combats a racist town by representing Tom, a negro, as his lawyer...

• Word Count: 806
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... racism. Many people feel threatened by this and feel very resentful toward Atticus. Throughout the play all the members of the Finches and many others display courage in their attempts to stand up for what they believe in. In the beginning of the play we meet Scout. Scout is an energetic little six year ... Tom is sentenced. Jem does not understand how he could be guilty even when all the evidence was pointing towards Bob Ewell. The courage showed by Jem concerning this matter is very strong, partially due to his slight naiveté towards the racism that is going on around him. This ... c...

• Word Count: 1141
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... a much higher level of maturity as the story progresses. Jem shows a drastic increase in maturity when he learns humbleness, understands the true meaning of courage and most importantly, learns to assume responsibility for himself and others. His childish misconceptions soon disappear as he grows to become a man. Along the path ... but sometimes you do" (116). This finally opens up Jem's eyes and shows him that instead of a glorious figure with a gun representing courage, bravery really exists in people who know they have lost, but will fight on anyway. Thus, Jem finally understands abo...

• Word Count: 1216
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... is often to move a powerful and important message. "To Kill a Mockingbird" is an inspirational and thought provoking book. Harper Lee used this work to work to convey several different messages. Courage, understanding, and prejudice are three topics which the author brings the reader to comprehend, and then attempts to move a message. Throughout the entire course of the novel, Lee uses the ... her views, she died beholden to nothing and nobody. She was the bravest person I ever knew." This piece of dialogue is a full-fledged example of how much courage plays a role in this novel. Courag...

• Word Count: 788
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... twenty years to return to his home Ithaca from the Troy War. One of the things that make Odysseus an epic hero is that he contains the great courage, in both physical and moral. It's evident when he defies the sea god Poseidon, telling him that he is unstoppable. Then he gets back on his ship ... stands by Tom Robinson as best as he can, even though he knew he would lose anyhow. The thing that Odysseus and Atticus both have is courage. They both display their physical and moral courage during the stories. Atticus Finch is a realistic hero. Where does Atticus's heroism lie? Not in leaders...

• Word Count: 1009
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... he was willing to stand up for what was right even if it meant risking his life and hurting the ones he loved. Atticus shows another act of courage when he comes home from work early with the Sheriff Mr. Tate after hearing Calpurnia's frantic message about a mad dog roaming around on the street. "Don ... feel mighty comfortable if you did now,"(pg95) Atticus took the gun, and shot the dog with rabies using a single bullet. This took a lot of courage, because Atticus hadn't used a gun in a long time, and if he missed he would have hit the Radley's house possibly killing someone or breakin...

• Word Count: 645
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... for them. Both Atticus Finch and Grant Wiggins are heroes, but in their own, distinguished way. Both of them possess noble qualities, but only Atticus shows them all the time. Courage, Wisdom and Personality are the factors that define heroes. Grant however shows these qualities only sometimes; he switches back and forth. That makes him a "human" hero rather than a superhero, who ... shows them all the time like Atticus. He, unlike Grant, is characterized by his absolute consistency. Courage is a factor that defines Atticus. You can observe this in many parts of the book including the p...

• Word Count: 352
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

... Street by Reginald Rose, illustrate the truth of the statement. The literary element of plot works effectively for Lee to express her ideas about how courage overcomes immense fears when there is something meaningful and important on the line. In Thunder on Sycamore Street, Rose uses the literary element of theme ... no matter how much fear you have you need to over come it and be courageous and do what is important. Rose also addresses how "courage is not the absence of fear, but the judgment that something else is more important than your fear." In his story Thunder on Sycamore Street,...

• Word Count: 344
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... Lee, Atticus Finch is one of the main characters. He is a lawyer and the father of Jem and Scout. He stands out as a man of reason and courage, also he represents the voice of truth and fairness in the community, Maycomb. He is a role model for all parents and a great philosopher and teacher of life's ... moral. Atticus has courage and determination. He is determined to protect Tom Robinson, a Negro, "simply because we were licked is no reason not try to win." He knew that it ... could to fight the case. Facing the lunch-mob crowd alone is not an easy job, but his moral courage doesn't...

• Word Count: 532
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... to show that people should get to know someone before judging them by others have said. Another early mistake in judgement taught the children a valuable lesson about courage. They learned that courage is all about doing what feels right. Jem learned this lesson when he got to know Mrs. Dubose. He thought that she was just a mean old ... a "nigger lover" Jem decided to cut down her bushes in front of her house. Jem soon realized that she was very sick and she had the courage to try to get help and she thought that maybe Jem could help her with her addiction. She taught them to have ... ...

• Word Count: 835
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... in Maycomb. Atticus sending Jem to read to Ms. Dubose shows that Atticus's way of parenting by moral authority is effective. "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 ... You rarely win, but sometimes you do. Ms. Dubose won, all ninety-eight pounds of her. According to her ... Atticus outside of the jail. Jem simply says no even though he could have been shot by one of the men. Jem stands up for his father and shows real courage. This is exactly what Atticus has been showing Jem how to do. By sending Jem to read t...

• Word Count: 809
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... Mockingbird teaches the readers that it is, rather, what is inside of people that make them bold. That is, Harper Lee, the author, states that courage has nothing to do with muscles, and exemplifies this through Atticus, Scout and Jem. Thus, she comes to the conclusion the internal strength is as, if ... of non-violence and equality in a place where everyone else shames him for holding such principles shows great bravery. Furthermore, Scout too demonstrates what real courage is. First, she is not afraid to follow Jem and Dill to "go to peep in the window with the loose shutter to see if...

• Word Count: 876
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... Mockingbird teaches the readers that it is, rather, what is inside of people that make them bold. That is, Harper Lee, the author, states that courage has nothing to do with muscles, and exemplifies this through Atticus, Scout and Jem. Thus, she comes to the conclusion the internal strength is as, if ... of non-violence and equality in a place where everyone else shames him for holding such principles shows great bravery. Furthermore, Scout too demonstrates what real courage is. First, she is not afraid to follow Jem and Dill to "go to peep in the window with the loose shutter to see if...

• Word Count: 876
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... that they would use in the future. For example, he taught Jem and Scout the true meaning of the word courage. One night Atticus was explaining to Jem, "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"(128). The moral lessons Atticus teaches his kids only bring them to a better ... ...

• Word Count: 933
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... a mockingbird.""(90), Atticus not only teaches Jem, but also delivers the moral of the story, symbolizing Tom Robinson's case. Atticus also plays a large role in teaching his children about courage. Atticus believes that courage is "" when you know your licked before you begin, but you begin anyway-" (112). He uses the case of Tom Robinson, and how "" [they] were licked a hundred years ... before [they] started the case-" (233) as an example of courage. Not only does Atticus use his philosophical ideas and revolutionary beliefs to teach his children about life, but he also uses these as...

• Word Count: 801
• Approx Pages: 3

... for what he believed in. He was always the one who stood up for what was right, not what the more popular thing to do was. Atticus has a lot of courage to do what he did for Tom Robinson. Atticus looked past the racism that was in the courtroom where Tom was being accused of raping a woman and he stood up ... to treat everyone equally. He believed that success was not just winning, but instead just trying to fight for a good cause. Even if you failed, Atticus believes you were successful. Courage was something Atticus definitely had. He was the only white man in town that would stand up...

• Word Count: 833
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... though, and Tom is found guilty because of a prejudiced white jury. In the back of his mind, Atticus knew that his labors would not be fruitful, as he states, "real courage is doing something even though you know you're licked before you begin, but you see it through no matter what" (112). Atticus displayed a real act of ... courage because he knew Tom would be found guilty and did his best anyway. Atticus firstly displayed this courage by putting in many hours researching what really happened that day and also forming a good, persuasive argument for the upcoming trial. Atticus ... ...

• Word Count: 577
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... for what he believed in. He was always the one who stood up for what was right, not what the more popular thing to do was. Atticus has a lot of courage to do what he did for Tom Robinson. Atticus looked past the racism that was in the courtroom where Tom was being accused of raping a woman and he stood up ... to treat everyone equally. He believed that success was not just winning, but instead just trying to fight for a good cause. Even if you failed, Atticus believes you were successful. Courage was something Atticus definitely had. He was the only white man in town that would stand up...

• Word Count: 747
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... as he knows that the worst of the offences are yet to come. One of the less evident signs of Atticus" teaching methods is shown after losing the trial. Showing courage by planning to appeal the courts decision tells his children to tolerate losing because it is a part of life and to never give up. When Scout asks Atticus" what could ... ?" "He"ll go to the chair," said Atticus, "unless the Governor commutes his sentence. Not time to worry yet, Scout. We've got a good chance." In the quote, lessons of courage and tolerance are shown. Atticus shows strength by showing Scout that he's not g...

• Word Count: 648
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... , I couldn't go to church and worship God if I didn't try to help that man" (104). His children also begin to see the real courage that Atticus possesses. They begin to realize that what Atticus had said about courage is in fact true. That a gun represents false strength and using his wits, heart, and character is what makes him truly brave. When the ... ...

• Word Count: 1093
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... dared to face their childhood fears when Dill comes into their lives. Dill is a daredevil who wants the children to face their neighborhood "phantom" Boo Radley. Dill gives the children courage unknown to them. With the help of Dill the Finches" gather the strength to actually step foot in the Radley yard. This is dramatic because before this the children would ... even walk in front of the house; they would run on the opposite side of the street. I think that this is good because the Finch children learn that there is courage inside of them. They learn to overcome their personal fears ...

• Word Count: 595
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... , is the bravest person he has ever met. After her death, Atticus dictates to Scout and Jem his views on bravery. "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 you see it through ... ...

• Word Count: 591
• Approx Pages: 2
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... 's To Kill A Mockingbird should most definitely be included among a list of works of high literary merit. She entwines you into a story of how despite extreme prejudice, with a large amount of courage justice can be served. Scout's innocent childlike narration of this story is truly remarkable. Once picking up this novel one simply can't put it down until knowing the final outcome ... ...

• Word Count: 1119
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School