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How Does Atticus Finch Show Courage

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Rosa Parks refused to relinquish her seat on a public bus to a white man. Parks knew the consequence of this action. Yet she persisted and fought racism. The concept of courage is prevalent in Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird. She demonstrates how true courage is not the absence of fear but rather perseverance and integrity in the face of adversity and potential repercussions. This idea is prevalent in Lee’s novel when Atticus Finch protects Tom Robinson while Jem Finch defends Atticus from a dangerous mob. This theme is also present in the story of Irena Sendler who, in 1939, saved 2,500 children from extermination in Nazi-occupied Poland. Atticus Finch illustrates courage when he protects Tom Robinson. A mob resembling the KKK made …show more content…

Jem, after analyzing Atticus’ environment courageously decides to defy him and not leave. Jem understands the danger Atticus is in and mirrors his dad’s behavior when he, “... shook his head. As Atticus’s fists went to his hips, so did Jem’s, and as they faced each other I could see little resemblance between them: Jem’s soft brown hair and eyes, his oval face and snug-fitting ears were our mother’s, contrasting oddly with Atticus’s graying black hair and square-cut features, but they were somehow alike. Mutual defiance made them alike” (203). Jem resembles Atticus, because like his father, he believes one must stand up for what they believe in. In the face of danger Jem does not cower in fear, he faces the mob and stands by Atticus. Jem additionally reveals to be courageous when told repeatedly by Atticus and the mob to depart. Harper Lee notes, “In the midst of this strange assembly, Atticus stood trying to make Jem mind him. ‘I ain’t going,’ was his steady answer to Atticus’s threats, requests, and finally, ‘Please Jem, take them home’” (204). Along with demonstrating Jem’s true bravery, Atticus pleads Jem to take the kids home. Atticus is scared for the kids but does not want to back down. Jem understands this and faces the potential consequence of becoming injured. Jem displays bravery by refusing to leave Atticus when he is in

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