How Does Atticus Show Courage

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The creative novel of To Kill A Mockingbird carries the reader the year of 1933 and shares the hardships experienced by two kids in quiet Maycomb County. As the flare of racism catches on, tempers flare and opinions grow out of control, the main characters (Scout and Jem Finch and Dill Harris) must sustain their beliefs and gain the courage to fight off their attackers. Harper Lee truly reveals that courage is a factor won by wisdom not by force throughout her book to Kill A Mockingbird with the help of his characters of Scout, Mrs. Dubose and Atticus.
Scout Finch, Atticus’ daughter, experiences the rising tension of different opinions, even at her school and is forced to choose between fighting or being wise in multiple instances. Atticus …show more content…

Atticus is well known for his peaceful ways in Maycomb County and gladly took the Tom Robinson case later on in the story as to prevent the racist fires from entering his home. Earlier on in the book, when Jem destroyed Mrs. Dubose’s Garden Atticus sent him to read to her every single day. Eventually Jem asked Atticus why he would ever send him in to see such a wretched woman, Atticus explained why he wanted Jem to be around such a respectable lady. “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway“ (Lee 115). This quote directly correlates to the main theme as Atticus explains to Jem why he had him read to Mrs. Dubose; Mrs. Dubose simply knew that in order to get over her morphine addiction she would end up having to give up her life sooner. Yet instead of just letting in she fought through and that is what made Atticus respect the woman so much. As much as Atticus respects Mrs. Dubose, Tom Robinson and every single black person in Maycomb county respect Atticus even more. Atticus always tries to see every situation from the other person’s point of view and so when he was given the Tom Robinson case, he gladly took the case and used every tool he could to free Tom. Atticus explains to Scout why he took the court case in Tom’s favor, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view” (Lee 30). This explanation opens the reader’s eyes to see that, in a situation, instead of acting right away, Atticus thinks about the other person’s point of view and tries to see the world through their eyes for a moment. This again supports the theme of courage as it suggests that Atticus always tries to use his wisdom to prevent a situation instead of getting physical to solve his

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