To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird “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.” Atticus Finch once told his kids this courageous and motivational quote that basically ties the entire book To Kill a Mockingbird together. Many big and courageous acts have been shown throughout the book To Kill a Mockingbird. Characters go out of their way to prove their courage in brilliant and touching ways. These brave people probe the reason behind the book. To kill a Mockingbird shows many courageousness and bravery in simple yet broad ways including social and physical courage.

Atticus Finch proved to the town of Maycomb just how courageous he is by his many social and physical acts of bravery. When Tom Robinson was locked in jail the day before his trial, many men rallied up with guns looking to shoot down and kill him. Atticus went to the jail, read his book outside, and simply made the men avoid going in. "There's a lot of ugly things in this world, son. I wish I could keep 'em all away from you. That's never possible"(115 Lee). Atticus is talking about all the evil thoughts, racisim, and stereotyping that children are exposed to once the get older. A physical act of courage is when Atticus shot Tim Robinson to protect the city. A social act of courageousness was made when he made Jem read to Mrs. Dubouse after she constantly called Atticus a "Nigger-lover". The little sister, Scout, proves her maturity by constantly showing the amount of social courage she holds within herself. When Atticus is sitting outside of the courthouse trying to hold off the Lynch Mob, Scout and Jem are hiding in the bushes trying to see what's going on. All of a sudden they run over to him and Scout picks out Mr. Cunningham from the crowd. "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 it through no matter what" (124 Lee). Harper Lee portrays the idea of courage by first having Scout observe her father perform a physical act of courage when he shoots the mad dog. Her act of courage show the mob that there are still innocent people out there, ones who do not know right from wrong. Scout also shows courage by walking Boo Radely home after he brought Jem home after the Bob Ewell attack. She shows how no matter what she's heard, she knows nothing about him, so why not give him a chance? Scout also proves her courage by walking in and going to the black church with Calpurnia. Scout resists a lot of fighting which shows her courage to be a bigger person and to not target someone for things they say.

Boo Radely shows social courage while he tries to reach out to the kids and tries to break out of his shell. One thing that proves his courage is the protection he provides to the kids while he saw Bob Ewell attacking them. He knew something was going to happen so he watched and followed the kids. He later ended up having to stab Bob Ewell under the ribs with a kitchen knife. He let's Scout walk him home after he carried Jem to the Finch's house. Boo also leaves toys in the tree for the kids to have, yet, the kids have no idea it is from Boo. Another courageous move Boo makes is when Mrs. Maudies house burnt down. He runs and puts a blanket over Scouts arms without being seen by anybody. He proves to many that beside the rumors, nobody actually knows who he really is inside.

Many additional characters showed much courageousness within the book. Boo Radely, Atticus Finch, and Scout Finch proved their courageousness in many vivid ways. To accept the evils within the world, you have to show bravery and be fearless, which these three characters showed. Much of the book proved that the city of Maycomb is a racist, rude, and southern town, so these characters came out of their own comfort zone to portray their courage.