To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee takes readers on an adventure to discover realistic views on society and communication between people. The characters are portrayed in different ways as they go through changes and face difficult situations. Several acts of mental courage are explored in To Kill a Mockingbird, such as Atticus's attitude and actions, Mrs. Dubose's beliefs, and Jem's understanding of courage. Each character's courage gives them strength and a growing understanding of themselves as the novel progresses. Atticus Finch is a good example of a character with strong mental courage. He is someone who always follows his own beliefs and thoughts. His actions always reflect his own choices and not society's view of a situation. He is confident in his own decision and believes in doing what is right, especially when he is against all the negative pressures from society, which demonstrates that he is fair and courageous. An example of this is the trial of Tom Robinson. Atticus risks his reputation and social standing to defend Tom because he sincerely believes that Tom is not guilty. Although he is under pressure from many citizens of Maycomb who believe Tom is guilty, he ignores all of this, defending Tom without concern for the judgment of others. Atticus knows that due to the discrimination and racism in Maycomb's society, he has no chance in the trial, but he vows to succeed because he promises to help Tom. It's his choice because he believes in it. "[Courage is] when you know you're screwed before you start, but you start anyway and you succeed no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do." (Lee, 112). This quote reflects Atticus's thoughts and opinions on the defense...... middle of paper ...... much about Atticus's mental fortitude, Mrs. Dubose, and the trial with Tom. In conclusion, Atticus, Mrs. Dubose, and Jem are three of the main characters who show real-life examples of courage. Atticus teaches readers to do what we think is right and to keep going even if it seems impossible. Ms. Dubose teaches readers that courage is not a man with a gun in his hand, but that courage requires determination, perseverance, and to always keep going, fighting against all odds. Finally, Jem teaches readers that as you grow, your views on courage change and that you should always follow your own beliefs about what is right or wrong. Courage in To Kill a Mockingbird is obviously important, because learning about these characters can benefit the reader later. Works Cited Lee, Harper. To kill a mockingbird. Philadelphia: Lippincott, 1960. Print.