To Kill A Mockingbird: Courage

2 Pages 566 Words

Harper Lee illustrates the theme of courage in the book To Kill A Mockingbird. The book takes place in a southern town in Alabama. Most of the townspeople are racially biased in their views against black people. The story is narrated in first person by a young girl, nick-named Scout. Her father, Atticus Finch, plays an important part in the story by defending an african-american male in court. This novel presents two children growing up in a small southern community during the 1930’s, who are often discriminated themselves because of their father's views. Lee portrays courage in the characters of Atticus Finch, Mrs. Dubose and Boo Radley.
It takes courage for Atticus Finch to go against people's beliefs in order to do what he believes was morally right. The majority of the townspeople are against Atticus defending Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman, and Atticus is often discriminated against for not agreeing with them. His children, Scout and Jem, also feel the hatred of others against them because of what their father's beliefs are. "But Mrs. Dubose held us: "'Not only a Finch waiting tables, but one in the courthouse lawing for niggers' ... 'Your father's no better than the niggers and trash he works for.'" Although Atticus is criticized for what he decides is right, he bravely ignores the disapprobation.
Mrs. Dubose is courageous because she recognizes she has a flaw and that she has to correct her affliction. She is addicted to Morphine and makes a goal to die free from her weakness. She goes through a withdrawal period which proved to be very difficult for her. "Her head moved slowly from side to side. From time to time she would open her mouth wide, and I could see her tongue undulate faintly. Cords of saliva would collect on her lips; she would draw them in, than open her mouth again. Her mouth seemed to have a private existence of its own." She finishes her goal before she dies, although she dies al...