Theme Essay
Courage is never giving up, especially before you try. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee the author shows courage in numerous ways. The characters learn that sometimes even though you know you might fail at something you still try to do your best. I agree with the theme courage is never giving up, especially before you try, and the characters of Mrs.Dubose and Mr. Underwood exemplify this theme.
As punishment, Atticus makes Jem go and read to Mrs. Dubose each afternoon. Scout goes with him. At first, each reading session is cut short by Mrs. Dubose's strange fits, but over the month the sessions get longer and the fits slowly disappear. Soon after the reading sessions end, Mrs. Dubose dies. She leaves Jem a single white camellia flower. Jem is horrified, but Atticus
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Atticus Finch and Mr. Underwood are the some of the few people who believe Tom didn't do it. Tom has been put in the county jail for one night until the court case. When he is in jail that night an angry mob shows up to the jail asking where Tom is. Once the angry mob has left the jail Tom asks if the men are gone. Mr. Underwood then leans out of his office window holding a shotgun and says he and Atticus have it covered. Mr. Underwood shows that in Maycomb there are people in addition to Atticus who can see past racism. He also is showing a great deal courage by “protecting” Tom Robinson who has been accused of raping Mayella Ewell.
Courage is the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty. Mrs.Dubose shows courage by giving up her addiction to morphine even though is kills her. Mr. Underwood shows courage by standing by Tom Robinson when everyone is against him. These two ideas fit together by showing different ways courage can be portrayed. All in all, the characters of the book learn that you must try something and be courageous to know you can't do