Finch's Idea Of Courage In To Kill A Mockingbird

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If someone went against all the social norms today to protect the wellbeing of someone else, or to do what is right, would it be considered courage? Harper lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird, told a story of two children and their father’s battle to win equality in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama. Jean Louise, also known as Scout and her brother Jeremy, or Jem, witnessed their father, Atticus Finch, fight society to earn Tom Robinson freedom. When Tom is accused of raping and beating Mayella Ewell, Mr. Finch is chosen to represent him in court because he is the only man in Maycomb who sees him as an equal. In To Kill a Mockingbird Lee shows us many examples of her idea of courage; Atticus saves from the mob, as well as representing him in court, and Boo Radley saves Scout and Jem. Harper Lee’s idea of courage is when people do what is right even if it’s not the popular opinion or if other people are against them. Atticus protected Tom and stood up for him, even though the majority of the town disagreed with him. …show more content…

Lee shows many examples of people being courageous throughout the book, like when Atticus protects Tom. The lynching mob shows up to kill Tom even though they didn’t have any evidence that proved he was guilty of raping Mayella Ewell, but Atticus protects him. Boo Radley saves Jem and Scout when Bob Ewell tries to kill them, even though there are many rumors and lies about him. Atticus also steps up again to defend Tom in court even though his own sister disapproves of his actions and thinks that their family is too good for Tom. Over and over again there are scenarios where people have to have to be courageous, people have to face being alone, and being different, courage is standing by yourself while everyone around you judges based on the decision you made to do what is believed to be the right