How does atticus define courage

New User? First Name. Last Name. Email Address. Opt-in to important GradeSaver updates! Have an Account? Atticus uses Mrs. Dubose as an example of true courage to show Jem that courage isn't a man with a gun, but someone who fights for what's right whether he or she wins or not. Basically, Atticus believes that just because it is unlikely that he will win, it does not mean that he should just give up without trying.

If you honestly believe you committed a criminal act against the citizens of this state and the minds of their children. However, being the son of Abner he knew it was his duty to defend his father even if that meant lying for him in court.

Although he abides by his father 's demands and sticks to his blood by not spewing information to the judge, Colonel finally submitted to the pressure of telling the truth and bringing the hammer of justice to put away the antagonist Abner.

Catch him! He had to persevere through many hardships in order to make a statement in the community. Atticus knew he would not win the case against the all white jury and like Mrs. Dubose in her struggle against morphine, Atticus lost before he even began. Nevertheless, Atticus knew that Tom was innocent and was willing to stand up for him because nobody else would. Since Atticus stayed true to himself and did only what is morally correct, he fought this case with great determination.

He wanted the people of Maycomb to know the truth about what happened to Mayella Ewell, but even the truth would not free Tom Robinson. Atticus Finch is a man who fought for what he believed in. It is revealed that the reading was a distraction for her withdrawals. When Atticus calls Mrs. Courage is not about aggressiveness, but conquering fear, albeit of a different kind—not physical, but moral.

Atticus himself is a model of courage insofar as he has taken up the Robinson case, which, he admits, he had already lost; but still he tries, faithful and steadfast, despite the odds. Miss Maudie shows courage when she refuses to be upset that her house has burned down. Instead she remains optimistic and reminds everyone she will now be able to have the bigger garden she has always craved.

Boo Radley shows courage when he prevents Bob Ewell from harming Jem and Scout despite the fact that this means leaving the security of his house. Mrs Dubose is another courageous character. She has been addicted to the painkiller morphine and is determined to be free from this addiction before she dies.

Without realising it, when Jem reads to her he is helping her to overcome her addiction. Her decision is even more courageous when it becomes apparent that there really is no need for her to go through the pain of being morphine free as she is going to die anyway. However, she does it for her own personal satisfaction as she does not want to be addicted to the drug at the time of her death. Mrs Dubose is being courageous but very few people in Maycomb will even know she is going through a very difficult personal battle to beat her addiction.

Atticus feels this makes her even braver and this is why he wants Jem and Scout to witness what she is doing. He wants them to understand that being courageous sometimes means doing difficult things that other people will never understand or will criticise you for.

Atticus knows he must defend Tom Robinson. He feels he could never be proud of himself again or expect Jem and Scout to trust him again if he did not.