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How Does Atticus Show Courage

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In the novel “To Kill A Mockingbird,” Harper Lee characterizes Atticus Finch as a man who symbolizes courage. Atticus also believes the saying, “you never really know a man until you walk in his shoes.”(Lee, 30) Courage is defined as the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, or pain without fear. Atticus shows courage throughout this novel. One of his biggest acts of courage is when Tom Robinson is on trial. The whole jury is made up of white men, and back in the 1930’s, everyone didn’t want anything to do with blacks. Atticus defends Tom Robinson in his trial, which it was unheard of hearing a white man stand up for and protect a black man. Atticus knew that this would ruin his reputation with everyone, and noone would have respect …show more content…
The “Lynch Mob” came to Atticus’s house first and started a riot at his house because of him protecting Tom. After hearing Atticus would return to the jail to visit Tom, the mob went there and Atticus had to protect Tom again. The lynch mob was made up of white men and women who were against blacks and against the protection of blacks. They were targeting Atticus by going to his house. All of this hastle Atticus got himself into by trying to do the right thing made a fool of himself to everyone and lost their respect for him. His reputation, ruined. This was the right thing to do, and he may have lost many friends over this, but courage is a attribute many people do not have, so Atticus had the right state of mind. Atticus stated, "As you grow older you’ll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don’t you forget it—whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, of how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash.” (Lee, 200) Also Atticus says “Its not okay to hate anybody.” (Lee 234) This means that noone has the right to hate

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