One way Jem shows courage by not backing down from a dare. Dill, Jem, and Scout’s friend, dares Jem to touch the Radley house and Jem asks, “Touch the house, that all?” (14). By touching the Radley house this shows that Jem will not back down from a dare even if he is scared. By being courageous Jem shows how he can persevere through a situation and overcome a dare. Another way that Jem shows courage is when Jem and Scout are being followed home. Scout asks Jem “Jem, are you afraid?” and he replies “No” (261). Even though Jem and Scout are being followed by a mysterious person, Jem tells Scout that he is not scared to help keep Scout calm. Jem helped himself and Scout overcome the obstacle of being scared by lying to Scout. In many ways throughout To Kill a Mockingbird Jem shows how he is …show more content…
When a mad dog named Tim Johnson is running around town no one, not even the sheriff, has the courage to shoot him. However, One-Shot Finch, as he is known from earlier in life, has the courage to shoot the dog. “The rifle cracked. Tim Johnson leaped, flopped over and crumpled on the sidewalk in a brown and white heap” (96). By shooting the dog, Atticus shows the townspeople that he has the courage to do something nobody else will. Atticus overcame an obstacle that nobody else had the courage to do. Finally, Atticus shows courage again by guarding Tom Robinson in his jail cell. Atticus says, “You can turn around and go home again, Walter.” “Heck Tate’s around here somewhere” (151). After Walter Cunningham and his group of men trick the sheriff, Atticus shows Walter and his people that he will fight for what he believes in by not backing down from them. Atticus fought through a tough situation, defending Tom Robinson from an angry group of people. Throughout all of To Kill a Mockingbird Atticus shows how courageous he can be by doing the right