Courage is the ability to control fear when facing danger or pain. The theme courage plays a major part throughout this novel. The characters showed great courage not only by the way they acted, but also by the way they responded differently to situations, and knowing what was right and wrong.

Atticus Finch was one of the major characters that showed courage throughout the novel. Atticus showed his courage by raising two children, Jem and Scout (Jean Louise) all alone. He also showed courage because he had to defend a black man, Tom Robinson, who is charged with rape. Atticus knows he wouldn't win this case, but still defends Tom because that is his job.

The Tom Robinson case caused problems at Jem and Scouts school. Scout was wondering why he was defending Tom even though it caused so much fuss.

"If you aren't suppose to be defending...