In the book, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Scout, Calpurnia, and Atticus stand out when courage comes to mind. These characters show courage in many unique ways with different situations. In the early 1930s, in the deep south, racial discrimination was a huge conflict, for example, the Jim Crows Laws were in play, and it legalized segregation between blacks and whites. Courage isn’t always shown in situations, but simply throughout growing up. Scout is very passionate about who she is, and what she believes in. Throughout the timeline of the book, she doesn’t let anything or anyone change that. For example, she believes Arthur is a good man, although Bob Ewell tries to tell her differently. Scout says, “If you shouldn’t be defendin’ …show more content…
Calpurnia is Jem and Scouts mother figure, because their mother died due to a sudden heart attack. Calpurnia takes Jem and Scout to her church, First Purchase, and introduces them to the fact that not all black people are bad people. She shows courage because it’s nerve racking to bring 2 white children to an all black church. Calpurnia says, “I don’t want anybody sayin’ I don’t look after my children” (Lee pg. 118). Calpurnia takes pride in Jem and Scout and shows a massive amount of courage taking these children to her type of life, and to her church. She teaches these kids that it’s not always the right thing to do what everybody else is doing. Calpurnia looks after these children and takes them in as her own when she is told to. Atticus shows the most examples of courage in this story. He teaches his people many lessons, especially his children. For example, he teaches his children to believe what they want, and to not let other people influence their decisions or thoughts. Atticus says, “Don’t you worry about anything. It’s not time to worry” (Lee pg. 134).This stands out because Atticus has faith in his mind and his
Calpurnia has feared safety for the children. She fears what would happen to Atticus’s children if she sat in the front of Atticus’s car. Mr. Uele already has a close watch on Atticus since Atticus is defending Tom Robinson that was accused of raping, beating, and taking advantage of Mr. Ewell’s daughter Mayella. Calpurnia is afraid of what Mr. Ewell might do if he saw her in the front of Atticus’s car. He would have either gone after her or attacked Atticus’ children for revenge on Atticus for accepting or being open minded with colored people.
To illustrate, Scout was being asked at school why her father was defending a black man and Atticus responds “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win” (Lee 101). Furthermore, when Scout was being questioned and verbally attacked Atticus steps up and reassures Scout that everything will be okay. Atticus knows he will lose the trial, but he wants to at least try to make a case for Tom Robinson. Another example, of Atticus being a hero is when Scout is not understanding why Burris Ewell was treating Miss Caroline Fisher like he did until Atticus says “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…until you climb into his skin and walk around in it” (Lee 39). Thus, Atticus makes sure to teach his children that everyone should be treated equally.
People that show courage in hard times know what could happen to them yet they act upon it to win a battle. In To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, many characters show true courage when they are under pressure or should not as they know something bad will happen to them. Mrs. Dubose, Atticus Finch, and Jem Finch all show courage and perseverance even though they know that something bad will happen to
Calpurnia serves as an amazing role model and mother figure to the children, and yet Aunt Alexandra wants to fire her. She had raised Jem and Scout, and plays an indispensable part of their lives, showering them with discipline, structure, and love. Aunt Alexandra, however, barely existed in the children 's lives up until she moved into the Finch’s home, yet she inflicts great injustice on Calpurnia by failing to recognize the necessitous part of the family that Calpurnia fills. Scout even overhears Aunt Alexandra saying, "...you 've got to do something about her. You 've let things go on too long Atticus, too long.
In the book to kill a mocking bird by Harper Lee confidence is a key aspect to the books variety. The book defends courage as “its when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyways, and you see it through no matter what” (pg. 149) this type of courage is shown in the book from a handful of people I picked the two I believe show courage the best. We should all learn from this quote and show courage just like these characters did. To start, Atticus was courageous in many way, he changes the book and his actions pave the road for Jem, Scout, and Dill.
Atticus demonstrates courage because he fights for what he believes is right, and stands up for people. Atticus was the main character, and the father of Jem and Scout. He was known for his morals, and strong opinions on justice and equality. This is shown on page 30 when Harper Lee writes, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” (Lee 30).
Atticus treats others the way he wants to be treated. He leads by example to teach this to his children. Respect also leads to other lessons. An example occurs when Jem and Scout find out about Mrs. Dubose’s past addiction and recent death, “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
He teaches them to be fair and to consider everyone's point of view. He makes sure that everyone knows that they have a voice. Atticus is characterized as an angel. He helps make them open their eyes the quality and has a view that most of the characters you're not. And two, here.
Calpurnia is seen both by Atticus and the reader as more than just a housekeeper and a cook; she is a part of the family and fills in the role of a mother to Jem and Scout by helping raise them alongside Atticus. Atticus deeply cherishes Calpurnia’s efforts of taking care of the children. With her doting attitude, yet, strict disciplinary, Calpurnia treats both Scout and Jem as she would her own children. Furthermore, this following quote proves that fatherhood is indeed an arduous and burdensome role as Atticus says these following words. Without Calpurnia by his side, Atticus would have found fatherhood even more of a demanding role without a wife by his side to help support and take care of the family, as well as raise his children to grow
Also, he never wanted to do anything that would change his integrity in his children’s eyes. Which is almost one of the bravest things to do is to raise his children well. Atticus’ courage in front of his town and children is
To Kill A Mockingbird Literary Analysis Throughout To Kill A MockingBird, by Harper Lee there are many acts of courage. This is shown in Atticus Finch, Jem Finch, and Boo Radley. Atticus shows the most courage in the book but all three of these characters show true courage in some way, shape, or form. Boo Radley showed a lot of courage, but he was not in the storyline as much as Atticus. Throughout To Kill A Mockingbird, courage is defined as standing up for people and doing what’s right.
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
Harper Lee wants to tell us that it takes courage NOT to kill a mockingbird Courage and the symbol of the mockingbird are two of the most important, or in fact in my opinion the most important themes, which are addressed and displayed in the highly praised, but also controversial novel “To Kill A Mockingbird” written by Harper Lee. I will try to interpret these two motives and show how they are strongly connected to each other. There are many different types of courage and many people who all show it in their own personal way. If people talk about bravery and courage, they mostly think of the physical kind of courage. But there are also other kinds, which are often forgotten or cast aside by their big brother: moral and emotional courage.
"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.
Thus, whilst slightly unconventional, Calpurnia has a distinct role in teaching the Finch children respect and responsibility. In conclusion, Atticus Finch and Calpurnia are contrasting characters with the same purpose in To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus maintains a fair, wise character throughout the novel, in comparison to Calpurnia's cogent, blunt personality. What brings them together is how they set the correct example for and give life lessons to Jem and Scout.