In the classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee has many different central themes that stood out in the story. Examples are growing up, racism, and mockingbirds. Courage is something that many of the characters express throughout the novel. According to Atticus, “Courage is when you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.” (Lee 116).The dictionary definition of courage is the quality of mind that enables one to face danger with confidence, resolution, and gain firm control of oneself. Many characters in the novel show courage all which comes in different ways.
As a young child, Scout thinks courage is some type of physical act that involves danger. Scout shows an act of emotional courage. She endures courage on her first day of school; she takes it as her responsibility to inform her teacher Ms. Caroline of Walter Cunningham’s situation. Although she is scolded for her ability to read, she still feels the need for leadership. Scout shows maturity for her age and this allows her to act upon her courage rather than overcome its existence. She also suppresses petty fears that
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It was said that he stabbed his father in his leg and that he was almost killed by the mold in the courtroom basement. He has been locked up in his house for fifteen years. Miss Crawford states, “he looks through my window at night” (8). They say that he only comes out at night to eat cats and squirrels, and he was the local freak show. Boo, however, begins to win Scout and Jem over by leaving gifts for them in the knothole of an oak tree until his brother, Nathan, cements the knothole. Boo even covers Scout with a blanket on a cold night while Miss Maudie’s house burned down. Boo was so quiet that Scout never realizes he covered her shoulders with the blanket until she gets home. After all the children’s attempt to drag Boo Radley from his house, he saves them from Bob