Examples Of Courage In To Kill A Mockingbird

True Courage in To Kill a Mockingbird
Defending a man. Killing a dog. Quitting a drug. These events look like they share nothing in common, but in the book To Kill a Mockingbird, they all push one central theme. Set in a small 1930’s town in Alabama, the book is significantly influenced by the setting. Just after the economic crash, many of the townsfolk were now in deep poverty. Also, due to the times, many of the characters hold prejudices against other people, even those right in their own neighborhood. With Jim Crow laws and racism rampant, Many faced challenges. There is one, central idea, that makes this book so important. The book's central theme is that sometimes, someone needs to have the courage to fight a battle they know they won't

Atticus defending Tom Robinson is one of the central and most important events in the book, and it may even show the theme the best. Atticus stepping up to defend Tom shows his willingness to fight, even if he knows he will lose. Maycomb is full of characters that have prejudices, especially toward African Americans. When Scout asked why he was defending Tom, Atticus claimed “if I didn't, I couldn't hold up my head in town, I couldn't represent this county in the legislature, I couldn't even tell you or Jem not to do something again” (Lee 86). Going into the case, Atticus knew that it was unlikely for him to win, but still wanted to do what was right. Atticus further says, "The one place where a man ought to get a square deal is in a courtroom, be he any color of the rainbow, but people have a way of carrying their resentments right into a jury box" (Lee 252). Despite the near guarantee of losing, he still defends Tom. Atticus's decision to defend Tom Robinson expresses the central theme of the

Dubose’s struggle with addiction is likely the event that best shows the theme. Mrs. Dubose had struggled with a morphine addiction before her death. After Jem was done reading to Mrs. Dubose, Atticus explained to Jem the reason he made him read to her. He claimed, “I wanted you to see what real courage is … it's when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what” (Lee 128). This is showing that Mrs. Dubose exemplified true courage, by quitting morphine, knowing that it will be painful, and may result in her death. Mrs. Dubose's struggle with addiction demonstrates the central theme of the book, fighting a battle even if you know you will likely