A black man wrongly accused of raping a white women does not stand a chance in the criminal justice system of Maycomb county and Tom Robinson is aware of that. Although he will not go down without a fight. Tom Robinson confronts his fears and shows courage by getting a lawyer to defend himself. Tom knows the jury is plotted against him but by getting a lawyer he proves he will not give up and will fight for the truth, displaying real courage. For example ; "Real courage...(is not) 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. You rarely win, but sometimes you do"(Lee, 116). Tom knows the odds are against him but follows through anyway because he knows the truth and will not let a prejudice society dictate otherwise. Tom faces society and a great fear of standing up to a white community, with courage and his own dignity to keep him fighting for.
Tom Robinson's case was not one to be easily accepted in a town as prejudice such as Maycomb and although the town is strongly against the idea of defending or believing a black man Atticus Finch accepts Toms case knowing the society would not approve. Atticus courageously ignores the talk of the town and takes Tom on as a client, because he knows it's the right thing to do. And for a man like Atticus he would not be able to keep his dignity if he did not. Atticus understands that this could put his social status in jeopardy but follows through anyway. For example; "... There's been some high talk around the town to the effect that I shouldn't do much about defending this man"(100). Atticus is explaining to Scout how taking a case such as this one is highly frowned upon in Maycomb but he took it anyway despite the towns opinions because it is the morally right thing to do. Atticus is telling Scout he would not be able to " hold up my head in town, I couldn't represent this county in the legislature. I couldn't even tell you it Jem not to do something again" (100). Atticus is able to keep his dignity by accepting Toms case.
Lastly Ms. Dubose is a great example of using courage to overcome fears of her addiction. Ms. Dubose set a goal to conquer her morphine addiction before she dies, a task such as this takes strength and will power greater than any other character in this novel. For example; "when you're sick as she was, it's all right to take anything to make it easier, but it wasn't all right for her. She said she meant to break ready of it before she died and that's what she did"(111). Ms. Dubose refuses to take morphine to ease the pain of cancer in order to beat her addiction. Immense courage is taken to do this so Ms. Dubose can die with dignity.
With massive courage Atticus Finch, Tom Robinson and Ms. Dubose keep their dignity while facing their fears. Atticus not only keeps his dignity by being able to say he tried to defend a black man in a town where others turned their backs. Tom Robinson faces the town despite his race to fight for what's right and to not be convicted of a crime he did not commit. And Ms. Dubose who fights a battle from within to die free of addiction. Not only do all characters grasp success while facing their fears, they keep their dignity as well.
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