To Kill A Mockingbird: Analytical Essay According to the Oxford Dictionary, the definition of courage is "The ability to do something that frightens one; bravery." However, in To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch, Jem's father, teaches Jem, a young boy, another form of courage when talking about Mrs. Dubose. Mrs. Dubose was their elderly neighbor and a morphine addict that vowed to be clean before she died. Atticus says, "[Real courage is] when you know you're licked before you begin but you see it through no matter what." There also are others that show Atticus' definition of courage, such as "Boo" Radley, a reclusive neighbor, Miss Maudie Atkinson, a supportive friend, and Atticus himself. Arthur “Boo” Radley is a reclusive neighbor of the …show more content…
Atticus is a lawyer who was appointed by Judge John Taylor to defend Tom Robinson, a black man who allegedly raped Mayella Ewell. The people in the town expected Atticus to spend as little time as possible defending Robinson. However, to their surprise, Atticus goes out of his way to try his best as a lawyer even though he already knows that the case is going to be lost. The trial would be Tom Robinson’s (a black man) word against the Ewell’s (a white family) word. Atticus says, “In our courts, when it's a white man's word against a black man's, the white man always win” (295). Atticus even outright says that he would not win the case. Before the trial, Scout asks Atticus, “Atticus, are we going to win [the case]?” but he replies, “No, honey” (101). Despite knowing that the case would likely be lost, he still tries his best to defend Robinson. This results in Scout being teased at school and Atticus being labelled a “n-----lover” by some residents of the town. After Robinson loses the case, Atticus still tries to help him by getting the sentence appealed. Atticus knows that he would be made fun of and lose the case, but still sticks to his morals and defends Tom Robinson as best as he