Courage In To Kill A Mockingbird Essay Example

In the story To Kill a Mockingbird there are many characters who show courage. But only two characters, Atticus and Mrs. Dubose, represent the real meaning of courage  the best. They struggle through their own adversities and face harsh criticism from the townspeople. Their actions definitely are an act of courage.

Atticus Finch is well mannered and treats others with high respect. He works as a lawyer and an attorney for the small town of Maycomb, Alabama, and is faced with a case that would be seen impossible at the time. He is appointed  to defend a back man, Tom Robbison. As a lawyer with a good reputation it would have been seen for Atticus to not to take this case or not defend Tom at all. However this was not the case, Atticus Finch said, “ He couldn't hold his head high if he didn't, he wouldn't have self-respect, and it would go against his beliefs, everyone should get a fair trial”. His courage to defend Tom robbison is incredible; but his courage to face ridicule and hatred shows courage even better. Even though Atticus did not win the case it showed others that they can have courage like Atticus and maybe make a change in Maycomb.

Not only does Atticus Finch show courage but  Mrs. Dubose represents courage because of  her personal goals. Mrs. Dobose suffered  addiction to morphine and is determined to be free from this addiction before she dies. She suffered physically and mentally to overcome the addiction before she died. Mrs. Dubose says, "She said she was going to leave this world beholden to nothing and nobody. Jem, when you’re sick as she was, it’s all right to take anything to make it easier, but it wasn’t all right for her. She said she meant to break herself of it before she died, and that’s what she did." she knows that she doesn't have to break her addiction to die but she knows that she will be happier.