The True Meaning of Courage Hall of Fame basketball coach Tony Dungy once said, "Courage is the ability to do the right thing, all the time, no matter how painful or uncomfortable it might be.". In other words, to be courageous is to choose your actions based on morality, even if your decision may have negative consequences. The novel, "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee features two characters; Atticus Finch and Boo Radley, who are examples of Dungy's quote. Both characters use courage to do righteous deeds, even though harsh outcomes are bound to happen. In “To Kill A Mockingbird”, the protagonist's father, Atticus, demonstrates how a good individual courageously decides to defend an innocent, black man although he and his …show more content…
After stabbing Bob Ewell, who attempted to kill the Finch children in vengeance of Atticus, Scout describes Boo as walking “...with the staccato steps of someone carrying a load too heavy for him. He was going around the corner. He was carrying Jem. Jem’s arm was dangling crazily in front of him.”. (302). This explains how Boo had to get out of his comfort zone of staying in his house to do the heroic service of protecting Scout and Jem, risking the unveiling of his shy ways to the Maycomb community. After both children are safe and Atticus thanks Boo for his children, Scout takes him by the hand and leads him back to his house. As he releases Scout’s hand and shuts the door, never to be seen again, Scout describes him, stating that “He gave us two soap dolls, a broken watch and chain, a pair of good luck pennies, and our lives.”. (320) This illustrates how Boo Radley had acted as a guardian angel for the children; socializing with them but also defending them when necessary. Boo demonstrates courage when he chooses to protect the Finch children; resulting in having to murder someone and risk exposure after being a recluse for many