In the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird”, Harper Lee illustrates Jem and Scout’s journey to realize what ‘real courage’ truly is. Being exposed to different forms of courage leads an individual to change their idea of courage. The surroundings of the siblings input a strong one-sided view of courage. Atticus explains hidden struggles which use a different form of courage in a community that both know so well and start to create doubts. Furthermore, experiencing such a rare type of courage from the closest and most important person in their life removes their stereotype. Through the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird”, Harper Lee utilizes the character Atticus Finch to be a teacher to show Jem and Scout diverse types of courage and make them realize what “real courage” is. In the secluded environment of Maycomb, Jem and Scout are indoctrinated with an idealized conception of courage, leading them to emulate …show more content…
Without having a mother figure, Atticus is the figure whom Jem and Scout look up to and learn from. Especially with Scout, who is younger and is easily influenced,“Jem grinning like a madman ‘You oughta be proud, though, didn’t really need him. That was the finest show of marksmanship I ever did see.’” made her idolize her father more. Tim Johnson is a symbol of Maycomb filled with stereotypes and their discriminating culture, and Atticus killing Tim shows that he is the one to eradicate the hate and injustice for the black community in Maycomb. Harper Lee’s use of hyperbole in Jem’s reaction leads Scout to believe that Atticus’s actions are very admirable and made her want to brag about it at school. Having received daily influences like that, not only Scout, but Jem has been hugely influenced by what people in Maycomb believe is courageous. Ideas spread easily and eventually got to Scout seeing “Jem, with his chest heaving and a look of sheer relief flooded over his face,