Representation Of Courage In To Kill A Mockingbird

Courage, courage is a word that is used too freely. Courage is a word that is too often misused and mistaken. People say the word courage on a daily basis, but do they really know what courage is? Courage is not, “ the ability to do something that you know is difficult or dangerous,” as defined by Merriam-Webster. Nelson Mandela a very wise man once said these words, “ I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” What Nelson Mandela was saying is that, courage is not being fearless, yet courage is being scared and overcoming that that scares you. Courage as defined by Nelson Mandela can be seen throughout the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee. During this novel Harper Lee expresses courage throughout her characters. Three of the characters that show this courage the best are; Mrs. Dubose, Atticus Finch, and Scout Finch. These three characters are all unique and they all show a different type of courage throughout part one of this novel.

Throughout To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus discusses the Tom Robinson trial; which was a trial that all the lawyers feared. He faces a court case that will have a tremendous effect not only upon himself but also upon his family. Still Atticus found the courage to take the trial no matter what the cost were. What made the case even harder was that Maycomb was a town tainted with stereotypes and racism. Atticus had the courage to take the case although it was full of dislikes of the people of Maycomb. He also had to face the fear of endangering the lives of his two young children and family name. Atticus was not only courageous; but he was also righteous and he was incapable of turning his back on those in need. Atticus was courageous by overcoming all of the heartless comments of those around him, and he never showed his true fear to his