Jem And Scout example essay topic

During the time in which Harper lee set 'To Kill A Mockingbird' the great depression had been and devastated the New York stock market. Harper Lee used a variety of language to create atmosphere and reveals the characters in this way. This essay is about courage and how it is explored. Courage is shown in characters and events that happen throughout the novel. Atticus is one of the significant members of Maycomb County that shows a lot of courage; Harper lee shows his courage in many cases. One example of this is when Bob Ewell spits at Atticus, but being the gentleman he is he walks away from him ignoring his abusive actions.

Mr Ewell asked Atticus if he was 'too proud to fight', using his common sense and great knowledge he replied that he was just 'too old'. This quote shows the intelligent of Atticus and the fact that he will not stoop down to the level of Bob Ewell. Atticus is a lawyer in his hometown and is chosen to defend Tom Robinson a black member of the community, who was accused of raping a white girl in the name of Mayella Ewell (Bob Ewell's daughter). Scout is inquisitive as to whether her father is doing the right thing, defending a person who the whole community are against. 'Do you defend niggers, Atticus?' I said that evening. 'Of course I do.

Don't say nigger Scout, that's common'. Atticus explained to Scout that if he did not defend Tom he couldn't hold his head high in Maycomb. Before Tom is admitted to court he spends the night in Maycomb jail. Atticus goes and sits outside to protect Tom as the lynch mob express that they think he should be killed. Atticus knows that there is a risk he may be killed. Jem, Scout and Dill sensed there would be trouble so they went to observe what was happening.

Scout ran to Atticus and began to talk to Mr Cunningham about his entailment, what Scout didn't realise is that she was distracting the lynch mob gang from the purpose of the congregation. A couple in the story that have a huge amount of courage between them are Tom and Helen Robinson. They both go through an ordeal of abuse but have the fortitude to continue with their life. Helen was shouted at and verbally abused by Bob Ewell when she walked past his living quarters.

Tom is put through a lot during the court case, he has to stand against a white girl knowing that no matter how genuine and convincing the evidence the jury would take the side of Mayella, purely for the fact that he is a different race. Both Jem and Scout (Jean-Louise) were brought up by Atticus not to judge people by appearance or upbringing but by their personality. They have grown up with only one parent because their mother died when Scout was only little, this itself is a very courageous act. Jem has taken care of Scout and tried to keep her out of trouble. One evident incident was when Jem protected her on the way home from the Halloween pageant. They were walking home together when Jem heard footsteps, he thought that someone was following them.

Scout said to Jem that she thought it was Cecil Jacobs, a boy the same age as her who played a practical joke on them on the way to the pageant, but after a while they realised Cecil wouldn't go that far. A few moments later the children were attacked, Scout was thrown about but Jem freed her. 'We were nearly to the end of the road when I felt Jem's hand leave me, felt him jerk backwards to the ground'. A mysterious character and very courageous soul is Arthur Radley (otherwise known as Boo). Boo is a quiet person who likes to keep himself to himself, but because of his childhood he is said to be violent and dangerous. Rumours spread around Maycomb said that Boo ate squirrels and because of that this his hands were bloodstained.

Later in the novel we find that Boo was the one that rescued Jem when he was knocked unconscious, this was courageous of him because he never stepped out of the house, but risked everything to save Jem. The most significant case of courage is that of Mrs Dubose. Mrs Dubose had a morphine addiction and was determined to die free from it even though she suffered a great deal of pain. When Atticus talked to Jem and Scout about her death he speaks some extremely wise words. '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'.

In the novel there are many cases of courage illustrated, apart from those mentioned. Courage can be defined in many ways; here are the two main types: Courage that you use to fight against evil and prejudice and using acts of bravery to prevent the evil. Then there is real courage, when you continue what you are doing even if you are fighting a losing battle..