Bravery/Courage - TKAM

Mrs Dubose - dying free of morphine "I wanted you to see what real courage was, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand"

After meeting and reading to Mrs Dubose, Scout and Jem were both told that Atticus 'wanted you to see what real courage was, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand' as he believes that he, in fact, is not brave but instead Mrs Dubose is the most courageous human that he had ever met.

Going to the Radley Porch

At the beginning of the novel, the children thought that they were being brave when they went onto the Radley porch to look through the window, but they later learn that this was false bravery and in fact silly.

"It's when you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what"

Atticus tells his children that courage is '...' when talking to them about Mrs Dubose but is also talking about himself, subconsciously, and him defending Tom Robinson. From this quote, it is expressed that Atticus is incredibly brave.

The act of Boo saving the children from Bob Ewell

Boo Radley is incredibly brave as he risks being tried and sent to prison to save Jem and Scout. At the beginning of the novel he was seen as a 'malevolent phantom' but towards the end of the book, through his act of courage and bravery, he is no longer viewed that way in the eyes of the children.

"Jem and I watched our father take the gun and walk into the middle of the street"

Scout then believes that Atticus is actually brave as he shoots the mad dog and saves the street, however... *Mrs Dubose*

"Why ain't he on top of one of the houses?"

Scout's perception of of bravery is a man on top of a burning building. This quote shows disappointment towards her father as she once believed that he was brave and yet he didn't do what Mr Avery did - save Miss Maudie's furniture. Scout then believes that Atticus is actually brave as... *mad dog*

"hey Mr Cunningham"

This quote is an act, although unknown, of bravery. By saying "hey Mr Cunningham", Scout is humanising a member of the mob - something that usually is anonymous. This act saves Tom Robinson from being killed and Atticus from being hurt. Atticus sitting outside of Tom's cell is also a very courageous move as he is showing his loyalty towards the case and towards Tom.