To Kill A mockingbird is a book about Courage
...s ability to deal with her teacher on her first day of school, when she speaks out for Walter Cunningham, even when she knows that the teacher is getting frustrated with her. (Chapter 2 page 22). He teaches his children respect and right and wrong and he guides them, without harsh punishment. He leads them by example and corrects their mistakes by explaining the implications of their actions. When his children are in danger, Atticus protects them, but he allows them to learn form their own mistakes as well. He shows courage when he shoots the rabid dog. In doing this he risks the dog attacking them all if he misses it with the first shot. He also has to make a decision as to whether the dog may not be a threat and has to make a split second judgement on how to handle the situation. The children see their father as an old man who wears glasses and are stunned that he could shoot the gun. Miss Maudie tells Jem and Scout that, as a young man, Atticus was the best shot in the county—"One-shot Finch." Scout is eager to brag about this, but Jem tells her to keep it a secret, because if Atticus wanted them to know, he would have told them. (Chapter 10 page 109). This indicated that Atticus is also a modest man who does not boast about his accomplishments as he does not wish to be thought of as a hero. Even though many people doubt and judge him for his decision to defend Tom Robinson, Atticus has the mental and moral strength not to hold a grudge. When Bob Ewell spits on Atticus and calls him names like "Nigger Lover", and threatens to kill his family, he keeps his cool. Atticus sits outside the jailhouse to prevent the lynchers attacking Tom Robinson. He risks his own life to defend what he believes in and he has enough faith in human nature to trust that he will not be harmed. As Atticus says later, the events of that night prove that "a gang of wild animals can be stopped, simply because they're still human."(Chapter 15.) Another courageous character in To Kill A Mockingbird is Mrs Dubose, a very sick lady who relies on morphine to ease her pain. She is courageous also because she recognises that she has a flaw and she had to correct her affliction. She is addicted to morphine and makes a goal to die free from her weakness. She goes through withdrawals which are very painful, but is still determine to overcome her pain. She achieves her goal before she dies, although this happens fairly quickly after she is free. She fought to succeed even though she knew death was inevitable. Her courage is shown in her determination, because it takes a great amount or perseverance and self respect to realise that one has a problem and even more to do something about it. Boo Bradley is a secluded person, due to not being accepted by the community. It takes courage for him to venture out of his house, as he knows that the town's folk think of him as some kind of monster. He tries to make contact with the children from an early stage in the novel, by leaving presents in the tree and by fixing Jem's torn pants, even though he knew they were trying to spy on him.(Chapter 7 page 64). His family had kept him prisoner in his house for most of his life, so he had no social skills or idea on how to behave toward others. It is pretty obvious early in the story that Boo is trying to make contact with the children who he has been watching. He leaves them presents in the tree as a way of showing his humanity and need for friendship and contact. He ca...