“I want you to understand that courage isn’t a man with a gun in his hand,” (Lee 112). This is a quote spoken from a courageous man who put himself in other people’s positions and did not believe he was superior to African Americans like many in that time period. Atticus Finch is a lawyer, and also the father of Jem and Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The finches live in a small town called Maycomb during 1933, also known as the Great Depression era. Throughout the book, the town faces many racial discrimination issues, especially when an African American man named Tom Robinson is falsely accused of rape of a white female. Atticus courageously decides to take Tom Robinson’s case, therefore, going against the prejudice portrayed in the town. Malala Yousafzai was a teenager who lived in a city in Pakistan that was under control of a Taliban. The Taliban highly restricted girls from going to school because of their gender. Malala believed that everyone had the right to get an education, so she fought for what she believed in and went against the Taliban. Both of these heroes stuck up and fought for what they believed in no matter the consequences. Atticus Finch and Malala Yousafzai both portrayed courage throughout their lifetimes by having extraordinary bravery and went on to become many people’s heroes to this day.
Atticus is the primary character Lee uses to show the difficulty of acting courageous as he is faced with challenge to defend Tom Robison, a black man who has been accused of rape by the Ewell family. With doubt he decided to take the case as if he was to argue, upholding his sense of justice and equality. " The main one is, if I didn 't I couldn 't hold up my head in this town, I couldn 't represent this county in the legislature, I couldn 't even tell you or Jem not to do something again" (Lee 100). Atticus is explaining he basically would have been a hypocrite if he did not take on this case. He could have simply shown up at the court room and not do much, but that’s helpless to Tom, and no one would think less of him but
"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. It 's when you know you 're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what." This insightful statement was told by Atticus Finch to his son, Jem Finch. Many people in Maycomb had to deal with racism, hatred, and discrimination because of their skin color or because of the court case. Most of them, if not all, showed true courage by standing up for what they believe in and keeping their heads up high. Harper Lee uses many scenes and key characters to develop the theme of real courage for instance, Jem, Atticus, and Miss Maudie go through a journey to discover, understand and to show that real courage is mental courage in the face of physical and emotional torment.
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 through it no matter what.” (pg. 112)Are the words Atticus Finch used to describe what real courage is. For Atticus being a lawyer is fighting for what is right whether if you win or lose. Atticus shows what "real courage” is in Harper Lee’s story To Kill a MockingBird.
Did you grow up in a racist community where the blacks and whites did not get along at all? To Kill a Mockingbird is by Harper Lee. To Kill a Mockingbird is about how 2 children are growing up in a very racist community. It’s also about a big trial where a white man stood up for a black man, and back then that was a sin to stick up for blacks. In To kill a Mockingbird Scout is a very courageous little girl who sticks up to a mob, Bouncing back from an attack, and backing down from fights.
Integrity is the quality of being sincere and having powerful high-minded principles. Integrity is shown in To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, a book that took place in Maycomb County, Alabama where racism was profoundly entrenched. Atticus Finch, a character in the book, is a lawyer who is assigned the case of Tom Robinson, an African-American, who was unjustifiably accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a white woman. Arthur “Boo” Radley, his neighbor, is a mysterious person in the beginning of the book but ends up revealing his kindness. His children, Scout and Jem Finch, are following their father’s word of wisdom and learning about integrity throughout their experiences on the way. The amount of integrity can dictate someone’s reputation.
Courage is not only about winning or losing; it is also about the moral strength to do what is right rather than succumbing to personal prejudice. Atticus- Scout's father, his
Atticus’ courage is shown in multiple ways through his court actions and his stand against racial discrimination. For instance, as a lawyer, Atticus defends the innocent, despite controversial thoughts of others, this is proven true in the Tom Robinson court case. During this discriminative period, most African Americans brought to court for an accused crime were deemed guilty, despite the clear evidence that proved their innocence. When Jem thought Atticus’ defense of Tom will bring Tom to justice, Reverend Sykes said: “I ain’t ever seen any jury decide in favor of a colored man over a white man”(Lee 279). This proves Atticus’ courage because he chose to fight for a colored man to prove that he is not guilty of an alleged crime, despite knowing the usual outcome of the case and the disapproval he will receive from others.
What Atticus meant when he told Scout what courage was, was that even if you know that you're going to lose something it doesn't mean you shouldn't try. He knew that when he decided to take Tom Robinson's’ case that he would lose, but he decided that he wouldn't give up on it. He wanted to be a good example for Jem and Scout. Maybe he thought that when they grew up and faced a difficult time that they would look back on this part of their lives.
Courage has gone through many changes. It has been altered throughout races, cultures, religions, sex, and time. However, the core values of courage has always remained parallel. It is difficult to explain in words the meaning of courage, like describing a color, but everyone knows what courage is, how it feels, and how to perform it. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus explained to us a type of courage that was shown in Ms. Dubose. These attributes were also apparent in a man named Liu Xiaobo. Both Ms. Dubose, and Mr. Liu, rose above social views to fight for their beliefs, did not give up in times of trouble, and had the audacity to face demons that were far more powerful than themselves.
“Dad, you have to buy me this, my friend has this at school and it is SO cool. It only costs ten dollars, please.” A good father may be the one that always buys anything, and everything for their child/children but in reality, a father with good punishement, and teaching to do the right thing may be considered a good father. Atticus Finch may not be like your average everyday father. From Jem and Scout’s point of view, they do not see anything “wrong” with him. Being a father must be hard, but being a father in Maycomb, Alabama around 1930 makes it even harder for the whole family. While Atticus is not a good father because he does not punish his children, Atticus is a good father to Scout and Jem. Atticus
In addition, Atticus went against his moral code and principles he had always upheld before, especially in the Tom Robinson trial. Now, Atticus is faced with the decision of abiding by the law or breaking it in order to do the right thing. He knew that incarcerating a man, as withdrawn and solitary as Arthur would have been unforgivable. Especially, after Arthur had performed a great deed by saving his children 's life. He knew that exposing him would be an awful way of repaying him; it would have been like "shooting a mockingbird." So, Atticus chose to protect Boo from the public eye rather than abide by the law and his "honest" ways he was so accustomed to follow.
What makes a good father? It is someone who is a leader, someone who always wants what is best for you. Especially when times get rough. Over time parenting has changed and grown in many different ways. Authors tackle the ideal parent and different parenting actions and views. Harper Lee in, To Kill A Mockingbird shows many different types of parents. As a single father, character Atticus Finch stands out the most. He shows he is a good parent as he provides important life lessons to his children and others. He shows fairness to others and his kids especially. Lastly he shows that you should always stand up for others no matter what.
In Haper Lee’s novel, To Kill A mockingbird, the trial tests Atticus’s courage as it tries to see if he will snap underpressure or raise to the occasion. Yet snapping Atticus’s courage would not be a fate for him. The damsel in distress dynamitc is never just a saving the girl from the bad guy. It’s to take a battle meant for someone else knowing if someone didn’t fight, niether would the victum; and Atticus fought for the children of the man who was attacking him. “So if spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that’s something I’ll gladly take. He had to take it out on somebody and I’d rather it be me than that houseful of children out there. You understand?” (Lee 222). Atticus saw the rippling effects
Bob does not just go on about his usual life instead he decides torment atticus. Bob starts off by spitting on Atticus. “I wish Bob wouldn't chew tobacco”(291). Atticus take the minor abuses because he knows if he was not on the receiving end someone else would be. These small moves of aggression quickly escalate when Bob tries to kill Jem and Scout. Luckily for Atticus and the kids Boo was willing to step in and kill Bob to protect Jem and Scout. When the commotion settles down the shreif chooses to lie and say Bob had stabbed himself. Why would they punish Boo by putting the spotlight on him when he obviously doesn't want it. The readers learn that hatred and not being able to let go leads to negative