Examples Of Moral Courage In To Kill A Mockingbird

Moral Courage – To Kill a Mockingbird

1930’s America was absorbed by catastrophic events, such as the Jim Crow Laws and the Great Depression. This era has pleaded for heroes with enough moral courage to overcome these dilemmas and encourage a better tomorrow. The root of moral courage is defending and upholding righteous beliefs, for the progression of society and preparing to face repercussions in the process. In fact, many of literature's iconic novels have instilled moral courage within characters to challenge the audience to follow in their footsteps. Our modern world continues to be faced with decisions that require moral courage like the Black Lives Matter protests, which successfully delivered radical reform and action related to racial

Yet, one brave character, Atticus chose to do what he knew was right, over preserving his name. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus chooses to display moral courage and represent Tom, despite the fact that “most folks (pg.116)” thought “[Atticus] was wrong (pg.116)”. This shows that Atticus had a strong moral compass and was courageous enough to overcome societal pressure, by defending a black male. In addition, Atticus had gone above and beyond, for the defendant, by guarding Tom’s jail cell in an act to protect him from the lynching mob, despite being well-aware of the certain danger he would encounter. Heck Tate advised Atticus, “I don't look for any trouble, but I can't guarantee there won't be any (pg.160)”. Atticus replies, “Don’t be foolish, Heck. This is Maycomb (pg.160).” This instance promotes to the audience’s Atticus’s willingness to protect Tom from the lynching mob, regardless of his own and family’s safety to uphold his standards and values, of integrity and acting in an ethical manner. He concluded “before I can live with other folks, I have got to live with myself

Radley is understood to be mistreated by his father in his childhood and was locked away in his home for a minor infraction, making him the gossip of the town in Maycomb. Early in the book, Jem depicts Boo as a terrifying monster who had “blood-stained hands (pg.14)” and a “long jagged scar (pg.14)” from “din[ing] on raw squirrels and cats (pg.14)”. The author creates this gruesome imagery through the frightening connotations of Boo’s description to highlight the children’s’ negative perception of him. However, Boo is a hapless and innocent individual. The audience is first positioned to view Boo as such when he showed an unanticipated act of heroism, saving Jem and Scout from Bob Ewell’s attempted murder. Boo was well aware of the terrible remarks that the children had made about him, yet he chose to demonstrate an act of moral courage, stabbing Mr. Ewell and in turn saving the lives of the Finch children. This act was considered especially brave as Boo left the security of his home and placed himself in harm’s way to do the right thing and save the children. In today’s world, people like Boo are few and far between and actions as courageous as his help create a better