In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch displays the most courage out of all the characters. He shows courage when he agrees to defend Tom Robinson, a Negro man convicted of rape. Atticus shows another act of bravery when he goes down to the jailhouse that Tom Robinson is in to try and stop a mob of angry men from hurting, and possibly killing Tom. Another act of courage displayed by Atticus is when he shoots a dog with rabies for Heck Tate the Sheriff of Maycomb.
Atticus shows a lot of courage when he agrees to defend a Negro man named Tom Robinson in court. Most Lawyers at this time would never take this case and actually try to win, even if they were not racist. By defending this Negro convicted of rape Atticus and his children Scout, and Jem are immediately discriminated against in society, they are continuously called names, and picked on. One day after school Scout asks Atticus why he is defending a Negro if so many people think he shouldn't. Atticus then replies "For a number of reasons, The main one is if I didn't I couldn't hold my head in town, I couldn't represent this county in legislature, I couldn't even tell you or Jem not to do something again."(pg75) Atticus" response showed that 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't just stand their, Heck! He won't wait all day for you," "For god's sake Mr. Finch look where he is! Miss and you"ll go straight into the Radley house! I can't shoot that well and you know it!" "I haven't shot a gun in nearly thirty years," said Atticus. Mr. Tate almost threw the rifle at Attics. "I"d feel mighty comfortable if you did now,"(pg95) Atticus took the gun, and shot the dog with rabies using a single bullet.
