Courage Theme in To Kill a Mockingbird Essay Sample

In To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, courage is demonstrated when Atticus defends Tom Robinson, Mrs. Dubose fights her morphine addiction, and Arthur Radley protects Jem and Scout.

The result of courage is felt when Atticus defends Tom Robinson in the trial; even though he knows that he could not win and the whole town was against him and Tom Robinson. Atticus got assigned to the Tom Robinson case. As Atticus was talking to Scout about Tom Robinson and how it's right to defend Tom; even though he is African American. Atticus also talked about how every lawyer gets one case that affects them personally then Scout asks, “Atticus, are we going to win it? No, honey. Then why- Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win, Atticus said'' (Lee 101). Atticus realizes that the bias in Maycomb will almost certainly result in Tom's conviction. However; he believes it is necessary to defend an innocent man and it is the proper thing to do. The impact is people in town are hating Atticus and his family for defending Tom Robinson. The danger was townspeople were unpredictable and Atticus had to protect Tom Robinson at the jail. Also, losing respect from the people of Maycomb. The result of Atticus losing the trial is he left a footprint that made people question what happened and thinks that maybe Bob Ewell did what Tom Robinson was on trial for rape.  Atticus shows courage by risking his safety, his children's safety, and his reputation by defending Tom Robinson. However; Atticus chose to represent Tom Robinson because it is the right thing to do.

Another result of courage is felt when Mrs. Dubose fought her addiction to morphine.  Jem has to read to Mrs. Dubose for an hour every day for a month.  Mrs. Dubose’s timer goes off longer and longer every day so Jem reads longer each day. After the month passed, Jem and Scout stopped seeing Mrs. Dubose when they passed her house, later Atticus told Scout and Jem that Mrs. Dubose died and Atticus said, “Mrs. Dubose was a morphine addict, said Atticus. She took it as a pain-killer for years. The doctor put her on it. She’d have spent the rest of her life on it and died without so much agony, but she was too contrary” (Lee 147). This shows that Mrs. Dubose was a morphine addict and how she died without morphine in her system. She had courage by wanting to be morphine free when she died and to be free of the drug. This matters because Atticus wants to show that Mrs. Dubose showed so much courage. This is important because Mrs. Dubose was brave since she understood that quitting morphine would cause her much agony. The impact is Mrs. Dubose shows courage by knowing that the withdrawal of morphine means suffering. The danger is withdrawal when it means suffering and death. The positive effect was by teaching the kids that Mrs. Dubose was a nice person and wanted to be free of morphine. The result of Mrs. Dubose’s withdrawal is teaching Jem and Scout that courage is not just physical but also mental. Mrs. Dubose is courageous, withdrawing from morphine would mean suffering because she wanted to die free from morphine.

The final result of courage is felt when Arthur Radley came out of his home and protected Jem and Scout from Bob Ewell. Jem and Scout were walking home from the school after the Maycomb pageant at night. Suddenly Mr. Ewell attacked them, as Scout and Jem were separated. Scout ran towards Jem screaming. Arthur Radley saved Jem and Scout, therefore Scout concluded, “Boo was our neighbor. He gave us two soap dolls, a broken watch and chain, a pair of good-luck pennies, and our lives”(Lee 373).  This shows that Arthur Radley saves Jem and Scout. This matters because Scout thinks he is a nice man that saved their lives. Also, this matters when he was protecting Jem and Scout while leaving his house. When Jem was hurt, Arthur saved him from Bob Ewell. Arthur gave so much to Jem and Scout, without much in return. The result is Scout and Jem are safe and Atticus thanks Arthur. The danger is when Arthur went to save Jem and Scout he could have gotten hurt by Bob Ewell. The positive effect is Scout knows that Boo is not anything like the rumours that she heard. The impact of Arthur saving Scout and Jem is gaining the respect of Atticus and Scout. Arthur Radley is courageous by risking his own life to save Jem and Scout from Bob Ewell.

In conclusion, stepping out of one’s comfort zone for the greater good is shown when Atticus defends an African American even though he knows he is not going to win. However; Atticus still tries to free an innocent man, Mrs. Dubose dies peacefully free of her addiction to morphine, and Arthur Radley saves and protects Jem and Scout from Bob Ewell. All of these three events in To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, demonstrate extreme courage.