To Kill A Mockingbird Analysis
Is there a real definition of courage that all can agree with? Is a person born with courage or can they find it in themselves? Is courage displayed by actions or words? In Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, there are many characters that show courage, but three in specific are Atticus Finch, Judge Taylor, and Scout Finch.
Atticus Finch displayed his courage mainly through his actions. “‘I’m simply defending a Negro – his name is Tom Robinson…there has been some high talk around town to the effect that I shouldn’t do much about defending this man,’” (Lee, 75). If some other lawyer was given this case, that lawyer would not have been expected to try hard to defend Tom because Tom was black, and therefore automatically guilty. Atticus was a highly respected man before this time in Maycomb, and he risked the respect he received by many in the town when he tried to defend Tom. Jem and scout learned that their father did what he thought was right and they realized that it took courage to defend Tom. “‘If you concede to the necessity of going to school, we’ll go on reading every night just as we always have. Is that a bargain?’ ‘Yes sir!’” (Lee, 31). Scout had just had a bad first day of school and confided in Atticus for help. Other parents would try to guide their children through life by doing something like talking to the teacher but Atticus saw it fit to talk to his children then let them learn from life events. Scout and Jem did not have a mother, and it took courage on Atticus’ part to go against the “usual” parenting technique. Atticus let his actions show what he wanted to defend and protect.
Judge Taylor shows courage through his decisions concerning Tom Robinson’s case. “Judge Taylor was about to speak when Atticus said, ‘Judge, if you’ll allow the question plus another one you’ll soon see.’ ‘All right, let’s see,’ said Judge Taylor, ‘but make sure we see, Atticus. Overruled,’” (Lee, 177). Judge Taylor probably listened...
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