Courage

Courage - the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.

In the novel "To Kill a Mockingbird", courage is one of the main themes. Atticus’s definition of true courage is being able to fight even though you’ve been licked before you have even started. This has appeared through out the book, for example when Atticus takes the Robinson case even though he knows he has no hope of winning. This is also seen in the Mrs Dubose situation, where she is already going to die but she still wants to shake her morphine addiction. She knew from the start she was going to die but she still fought. There are many other inspiring signs of courage in the book I have just names a few.

"Atticus ain't ever whipped me since I can remember. I wanta keep it that way." (Jem, p. 62)

This quote helps to depict what the relationship between Jem and Atticus. It shows us that Jem has a lot of respect for Atticus and that Jem always wants to please Atticus. We can see the respect part of this important relationship with the dog with the rabies, were Atticus is forced to shoot down the day. This was a critical point for Jem because this is when he almost decided that he wanted to be like Atticus. Jem also never wanted to displease Atticus and this can be seen when he went back to the Radley’s house to get his pants back. He was scared but he didn’t want to get in trouble with Atticus.

Through out the book we see Jem mature and develop as a person, and this seem to be thanks to Atticus being his father and his role model.

Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose

Mrs Dubose is intorduced into the book in chapter 11. At the start of the chapter Scout and Jem veiw her as this mean old lady who's only perpose in life is to abuse children. But when this abuse gets to much for Jem he reacts with anger and violence. From this outbreak Jem is punished, he is forced to read to Mrs Dubose everyday. From this experience Jem discovers that Mrs Dubose is ill, she has random fits. The month passes, yet Mrs Dubose tell Atticus that Jem should continue reading to her. This surgesstion is inforced. The story skips ahead of couple of weeks, and it turns out that Mrs Dubose dies. Atticus informs Jem that she was a morphine addict and she what trying to give it up, and that this was the reason for her fits. This information shatters Jem and he finally discovers why Mrs Dubose was the way she was.

This small part of the book relates back to the advice Atticus gives Scout "You never really understand a person until you consider things from there point of view.......until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."