Courage In To Kill A Mockingbird

Nelson Mandela once said, “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.” To Kill a Mockingbird, published in 1960, has won the Pulitzer Prize and has become classic in today’s culture. It is written by Harper Lee, who writes the novel from the point of view of the literary character named Scout (Jean-Louise) Finch. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout tells the reader about the people of Maycomb, Alabama and what events occurred while she was a child. The topic of courage is the most referenced characteristic throughout the novel. Possibly the most courageous person in To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch, has many cases of courage as told by Scout. From things as big as accepting the case of Tom Robinson to smaller things such as
Reader’s probably saw Jem being the most courageous when he defended himself and Scout from Bob Ewell, but most readers probably think he was just as courageous when he dealt with Mrs. Dubose. Although Jem’s courage led to a bad choice (with Mrs. Dubose), it was still very courageous. Jem’s courage led to him destroying Mrs. Dubose’s flowers, while knowing the stories about her carrying an old Confederate pistol with her. Here is a quote about Jem’s punishment for his poor decision with Mrs. Dubose, “’Atticus,’ he said. ‘She wants me to come every afternoon after school and Saturdays and read to her out loud for two hours. Atticus, do I have to?’ ‘Certainly.’ ‘But she wants me to do it for a month.’ ‘Then you will do it for a month.’” (Lee 105). This may not make Jem seem very courageous, but it is. He may have complained and whined about going, but he had enough courage built up to go to Mrs. Dubose’s house for the month. Another literary character shown to be courageous, although there was only one time, is Sheriff Heck