Carolyn Jones tells us in her critical insight of To Kill a Mockingbird that “Atticus allows himself to be the target of an irrational force and its violence as he acts to protect innocent people” (147). The reader sees this protection of the innocent in three key scenes: shooting Tim Johnson, defending Tom Robinson, and an altercation with Bob Ewell. First, in chapter ten, the reader sees Tim Johnson, a rabid dog, heading straight for the neighborhood in which Atticus lives. Though he has not shot a gun in many years, Atticus steps up and shoots the rabid dog in order to protect the innocent people in the neighborhood. Next, the reader sees Atticus begin to defend Tom Robinson against the Ewells’ rape accusations.
He demonstrates his courage by taking on the case of Tom Robinson knowing that he was defeated before he began. He was also putting himself and his children in danger but he did, as it was the right thing to do. He was courageous when he shot the rabid dog when the sheriff could not. Also, when he heard of the mob coming for Tom, he went to the jailhouse to protect him knowing he could be killed or beaten as a result. Atticus Finch stood up for what he believed was right no matter the consequences.
His dog’s death is especially mirrored in Lennie’s death, because they are both killed to avoid a worse end. Lennie would have starved to death, or been lynched by Curley were he not shot, and Candy’s dog would have died slowly and painfully due to old age. Also, Candy’s statement after his dog’s death influences later events. “I ought to have shot that dog myself, George. I shouldn’t ought to let no stranger shoot my dog” (p 60).
Firstly, Christopher starts his mystery novel with a gruesome scene of the death of Wellington, a neighbor’s dog who had been brutally killed with no explanation. Christopher is determined to find out who killed Wellington although he is repeatedly put down and told by his father that “it’s a bloody dog, Christopher, a bloody dog” (20) and that he should leave it alone. After his father repeatedly tells him to give up this “game” he believes Christopher is playing, he does not give up, constantly trying to figure out the truth about who killed Wellington. He faces these roadblocks and doesn’t give up. Christopher shows that he has the hero like attributes when he decides to care about Wellington, and to go against his father’s advice.
He accidently killed Stilson in the beginning of the book without knowing until chapter 15, because he kicked him so many times. He did not mean to, he just wanted to win and make them stop harassing him. Ender always feels like a killer after he kills someone, even when it’s not on purpose. For Ender, he doesn’t want to be a killer because he doesn’t like killing people and he thinks that it will make him like Peter. Ender does not want to kill anyone because if he does, then it’ll make him like Peter.
We see courage through the deeds of firemen, police officers, doctors, and soldiers. We often don’t look at the minuscule deeds of everyday life. Everyone has the opportunity to be courageous but what really matters is whether or not that person takes the opportunity. Courage is the ability to take a stand for something you believe in. In the book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the characters Jem, Scout, and Atticus exhibit courage numerous times throughout the story.
Racism is evident throughout the novel. The mad-dog Tim Johnson was shot with hesitation. Sheriff Tate was reluctant to shoot the dog so Atticus had to step in and shoot him. Nathan Radley also said he would shoot at any person he thought was black. He said specifically, if anyone saw a black person, to tell that individual Nathan Radley had a bullet ready for him.
At first we think he may have some mercy when he tells one of his men he wants Jaguar Paw alive and tells one of the warriors off for pushing a hostage off a cliff, but as the story progresses he becomes more and more violent. His son Cut Rock (Ricardo Diaz Mendoza) is murdered by Jaguar Paw as he attempts to kill him and that sends Zero Wolf into a frenzy of wanting to get revenge on Jaguar Paw. He even kills one of his own men for suggesting that rather than jumping after Jaguar Paw into the
One day, when Mr. G was working inside the house, his son was working outside. Three gangsters robbed the son and shot him. Mr. G’s son is not the only one who was killed by gun. Guns should be banned because guns are too dangerous for innocent lives. Like I said, guns can’t choose its targets.
We know that as, when there is the rat incident, with everybody being scared, Bigger reacts by killing the beast brutally with a skillet. Also, he reacts with violence against White society as he’s scared of them. But, instead of keeping quiet and minding his own business, he feels the need to rob Blum’s, a white mans, store. However, in the end he doesn’t do it as he is in fear of being caught. Again, though he reacts to it by beating Gus, his friend, up using the excuse of Gus being late to get out of their 4mission.