Courage is defined as “the ability to do something that you know is difficult or dangerous” (Merriam-Webster). In the novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Harper E. Lee portrays courage through two of her characters: Atticus Finch and Mrs. Dubose. Atticus, a lawyer in Depression Era south, is given the task of defending a black man in court. Due to the discriminatory nature of the close-minded town of Maycomb, Alabama, this brings up several complications. Rather than backing down from his responsibilities, Atticus stands defiant even as his neighbors berate him for his actions. On the other hand, Mrs. Dubose is an old woman who has been a morphine addict most of her life. She shows incredible bravery and resilience when she tries to shake her addiction …show more content…
He or she stands up for other’s rights and bravely sticks up for their fundamental morals and beliefs. This definition could not be more true for Atticus Finch, who courageously defends Tom Robinson, a black man accused of assault while under great scrutiny from his neighbors . Living in a time of racial discrimination and bigotry, Atticus knew that the chance of him proving his client’s innocence to a biased jury was little to none. Atticus follows his own definition of courage, which is “…when you know your licked before you begin but you begin anyway…” (128). The jury had already decided Tom Robinson’s fate from the moment they knew he was black. Still, Atticus fights tooth-and-nail in a fight he was never going to win. Before the trial, Atticus had an opportunity to turn over Tom to an angry mob. Defiant, he stands guard in front of the courthouse and refuses to let anyone enter. He risks his own personal safety when he faces the lynch mob, though he claims that they only “might have hurt me[Atticus] a little” (175). Shortly before the confrontation, Atticus declares to Link Deas, ”That boy [Tom Robinson] might go to the chair, but he's not going till the truth's told…and you know what the truth is” (166). Atticus knows how unlikely it is that Tom will be acquitted, and yet getting the truth out there is still an important accomplishment for Atticus. Atticus is courageous in his defense of Tom Robinson and even if he …show more content…
Dubose. Atticus stands up to the duties he has to preform as a lawyer, even if he knowns he's put up against the wall with his decision to do so. He puts his own life in danger when he stands guard in front the courthouse, protecting his client. On the other hand, Mrs. Dubose expresses a different kind bravery, showing great willpower and determination when she breaks her lifelong addiction to morphine. The themes of prejudice and racism will always apply to the modern world. The world will never be perfect because simply put, human beings are not. However, the theme of courage is universal and will also always apply to the current world as it is in human nature to stick up for themselves and others. Atticus says, “You rarely win but sometimes you do”(128). In dealing with courage, there are winners and there are losers but they do not regret the courage they showed for the sake of good