"I wanted you to know what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun." What kinds of courage and Heroism are shown in To Kill a Mockingbird? Courage was a theme often explored by Harper Lee and her novel 'To kill a Mockingbird'; many characters in 'To kill a Mockingbird' display the gift of courage, but Harper Lee does not just scratch the surface of courage she plows deep down into her characters and gives each their special courage, all had a unique courage and the strengths are revealed throughout the book.
The most influential, and the most outright courageous character in 'To kill a Mockingbird' is Atticus Finch. Atticus is willing to put himself in danger and peril just to protect the rights of a man and the justice of a community, which he shows when confronting the group of men at the jail.
'You know what we want.' Another man said. 'Get aside from the door Mr. Finch.'
'You can turn around and go home again, Walter,' Atticus said pleasantly. P.g 167
His courage extends beyond the outer layer because Atticus knows the side effects of his actions and is willing to face ridicule and alienation by the rest of the community and is prepared to face this with no fear, Atticus is willing to make the sacrifice of his safety just to protect the law and uphold righteousness, he states this to Scout.
'This case, Tom Robinson's case, is something that's goes to the essence of a man's conscience - Scout, I couldn't go the church and worship god if I didn't try to help that man.' P.g 116
Atticus shows true courage by walking into the path of evil men, fearless and determined to save Tom Robinson.