How does Harper Lee portray courage in the novel To Kill A Mockingbird?

There are several scenes which depict characters acting courageously throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Harper Lee uses these characters to portray and define courage.

Atticus Finch, the novel's morally upright character, displays courage by defending Tom Robinson in front of a prejudiced community and jury. Atticus realizes that the challenge he faces is nearly impossible and does not expect to win the case. Despite the threats and insults from the community, Atticus...

There are several scenes which depict characters acting courageously throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Harper Lee uses these characters to portray and define courage.

Atticus Finch, the novel's morally upright character, displays courage by defending Tom Robinson in front of a prejudiced community and jury. Atticus realizes that the challenge he faces is nearly impossible and does not expect to win the case. Despite the threats and insults from the community, Atticus displays courage by representing Tom Robinson and trying his best to have him acquitted. Before the trial, Atticus' daughter asks why he is defending Tom when he knows that he will not win. Atticus says, "Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win" (Lee 101). This comment displays Atticus' determination and courage entering the trial.

Another scene where Atticus displays courage takes place in Chapter 15 when he chooses to sit in front of Tom Robinson's jail cell. When the Old Sarum bunch arrives to lynch Tom Robinson, Atticus refuses to leave. Atticus put himself in a dangerous position in order to protect Tom, which was a very courageous thing to do.

Harper Lee uses other characters such as Little Chuck Little and Mrs. Dubose to portray courage. In Chapter 3, Little Chuck Little stands up for Miss Caroline when Burris Ewell disrupts the class. Despite his small stature, Chuck puts his hand in his pocket and threatens Burris. Burris leaves the room, but not before yelling insults directed at Miss Caroline.

In Chapter 11, Harper Lee uses the character of Mrs. Dubose to portray courage. Mrs. Dubose suffers from a chronic disease, and she uses morphine to alleviate her pain. Mrs. Dubose wishes to break her addiction before she dies. With the help of Jem's reading to distract her mind from the pain, Mrs. Dubose successfully breaks her addiction before she passes away. Atticus explains to his children that Mrs. Dubose is the most courageous person he's ever met for battling her addiction at the end of her life. He says,

"I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what" (Lee 149).