To Kill a Mockingbird Essay – Emotional/moral Courage
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To Kill A Mockingbird Essay-Emotional/Moral Courage
Websters dictionary defines courage as “mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.” According to Atticus Finch, one of the main characters in To Kill A Mockingbird, “Courage is when you know youre licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.” (Chapter 11,
First of all, Atticus demonstrates mental courage when he undertakes the task of defending Tom Robinson, a black man wrongly accused of rape. Atticus knows he wont win the case and like Mrs. Dubose in her battle against morphine, he is “licked” before he begins. Nevertheless, Atticus knows that Tom is innocent and that he must fight for him, since no one else will. Atticuss strong sense of morality and justice motivates him to defend Tom with vigor and determination, giving it all hes got with one mission in mind. He wants the people of Maycomb town, whether they believe it or not, to hear the truth about Tom, “That boy might go to the chair, but hes not going till the truths told.” (Chapter 15,
Secondly, Jem exercises mental courage by defying his father and remaining at the jail along his fathers side. The situation Jem is putting himself in is dangerous. He puts his life in the mercy of the angry mob trying to kill Tom or Atticus or both. A 12-year-old child should never have to handle this situation, but Jem handles it as a man stands up for what he believes in even if it means his own death from the angry feelings of the mob or the punishment from his father. A child of only 12 years of age typically would listen to his parent and succeed to his fathers demands. In addition, Jem is faced with a courageous situation in regards to the Radley house. His courage stems from fear of receiving a whipping from Atticus, and more important, his disapproval. Jem is willing to risk his life in order to save his father from showing disappointment. The threat of Mr. Radley waiting for the intruder with his gun instills fear within Jem. However, Jem overcomes this fear in order to sustain Atticus faith. Being the only and eldest son places pressure upon Jem to set an example and implant pride within his father. The possibility of being shot is an obstacle Jem must overcome with mental courage,