To Kill a Mockingbird Essay - Emotional/moral Courage

To Kill A Mockingbird Essay-Emotional/Moral Courage

Webster's 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 you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what." (Chapter 11, Page 124) No matter how you define it, Harper Lee definitely portrays the theme of mental courage in this book. The book demonstrates that mental courage is fighting what you believe in no matter the consequence. It is one of the most predominant themes and is shown in many of the characters, including Atticus, Jem and Scout, who all show mental courage in their everyday lives.

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 won't 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. Atticus's strong sense of morality and justice motivates him to defend Tom with vigor and determination, giving it all he's 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 he's not going till the truth's told." (Chapter 15, Page 146) Furthermore, Atticus showed true mental courage when he went against Maycomb, a generally prejudice town, in order to defend Tom. He understood that taking the case would make him an object of scorn and ridicule. That no one would forgive him for believing in a black man's word rather than a white man's. Even his own sister expresses disapproval of his decision, practically telling him he was bringing disgrace on the family. But, no matter how much his reputation suffered, he did not change his mind. Standing up for his convictions was more important then what people thought about him. Moreover, Atticus manifested mental courage when he went to the jailhouse to protect Tom from a lynch mob. Without thinking it twice he rushed to Tom's aid. He went with the knowledge that if a mob did gather he would be greatly outnumbered and could get badly beaten. Still, he went determined to shield Tom from anything that could harm him, with no concern about his own welfare. Last, but not least, Atticus showed mental or moral courage when he went along with Heck Tate's lie about what really happened the night, when Bob Ewell was found stabbed to death. Atticus put his life and career in the line. He knew, as an officer of the court, that withholding information from an investigation could have gotten him disbarred or thrown in jail. Nonetheless, like many times before, doing what was right and fair prevailed in Atticus's way of thinking. Atticus was faced with the decision of abiding by the law or breaking it in order to do the right thing. He knew that incarcerating a man, as withdrawn and solitary as Arthur would have been unforgivable. Especially, after Arthur had performed a great deed by saving his children's life. He knew that exposing him would be an awful way of repaying him; it would have been like "shooting a mockingbird." So, Atticus chose to protect Boo from the public eye rather than abide by the law and his "honest" ways he was so accustomed to follow, which takes a lot of mental courage.

Secondly, Jem exercises mental courage by defying his father and remaining at the jail along his father's 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 father's 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,