Kind of bored and wanted some feed back on my To Kill a Mockingbird essay from earlier this year. What do you think?
Courage, we all know what it looks like, but do we really understand the true meaning
of it? The United States of America has come a long way from the 1930's, where an abundance of people were racist. Not only have we advanced technologically, but socially as well. We are a
country where some racism still exists, but it took a lot of courage to stand up to it during the
early 20th century. In Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird examples of physical, emotional, and
moral courage are demonstrated through series of events and key characters.
A few characters, Boo Radley and Atticus, show us what being tough is really about by portraying physical courage. When Bob Ewell attacks Scout and Jem, Boo Radley comes out of nowhere and stabs Bob Ewell; Scout describes the situation by narrating, "The scuffling noises were dying; someone wheezed and the night was still again" (262). This shows that Boo Radley is physically courageous because he helped the children despite the fact that he is weak and completely out of shape. Anyone who would face something or someone that was physically superior to them, because they wanted to do what is right, is a hero.Another example of physical courage was when Heck Tate was too afraid to shoot a dog with rabies, so he gives Atticus his rifle and explains, "For God's sake, Mr. Finch, look where he is!..."(96). Atticus shows his courage by taking up a task where consequences are severe, and that no one else would do. The reason Atticus decides to shoot the dog was to keep everyone safe, he could not go through the day knowing that people are in danger and that he could easily save them. Physical courage takes heroic character, and Boo Radley and Atticus are great examples of one of the three types of courage demonstrated throughout the book.
Emotional courage is being brave and mentally knowing that you can stand up to something, Jem and the black community really show us how it is done. When Atticus is confronted by the mob he demands that Jem take the children home, but Jem bravely replies, "I ain't going," (153). Since Jem had entered adolescence, he believes that he is a grown man and can stand up for his father. Jem wants to prove to Atticus that he can handle obstacles being thrown at him. The black community also show emotional courage when they are confident about Atticus doing his best in the trial, Scout describes, "All around us and on the opposite wall, the Negroes were getting to their feet" (211). The black community obviously knew Tom had a slim chance of winning, but in their minds they would all risk everything to prove, at least once, that they were equal to white people. They portray emotional courage because they look past the inequality of themselves and the white folk, and believe that they can win the case. Jem and the black community were mentally prepared, even under the circumstances of their situations, but they are not the only characters whose courage is thought through, and mental.
In To Kill a Mockingbird moral courage is knowing what you are standing up for is right and can teach lessons to others, and Atticus is a key character to this theme. When Atticus accepts to represent Tom Robinson, Scout asks him why, and Atticus explains, "Before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself…" (105). This proves that Atticus would not destroy his moral code just because he would be ridiculed by other town folk. Since Atticus accepts to represent Tom Robinson, he has to do it to his fullest potential. Atticus does his best to win the case even if he knows he cannot, and he tells Scout, "Simply because we were licked a hundred…" (76). Atticus knows he cannot win the case but by doing what is right, to the fullest of his ability, is winning for him. This can apply to real life situations because you can do anything, and if you do your best at it, it is a victory for you. These examples of moral courage that Atticus show are great ways to teach moral lessons and they prove Atticus's bravery.
To Kill a Mockingbird is an outstanding book that can teach us what it is like to be physically, emotionally, and morally courageous. It is no doubt that Harper Lee wrote this book to send the people of America a message. A lot of people today are too afraid to stand up and be a hero by fighting discrimination. Thanks to her book, we have great examples on how to make more of ourselves and live a prouder, more accomplished life.
Log in to comment