The theme "Courage" plays an important role throughout the entire novel. Courage is embodied in the many characters in the novel and the children experience the different types of courage and understand what true courage is. Courage in the novel takes on four basic forms: Childish bravado, physical courage, mental courage and moral courage.

In the first few chapters, many incidents displaying childish bravado are narrated. To the young children, this was the true meaning of courage. The prime challenge to their courage is the Radley house, the often-rumoured vicious and monstrous Boo Radley residence. Thus, the Radley house is used as a test of each other's courage, particularly, Jem.

One example is when Dill taunts Jem and dares him to `just go up and touch the house'. It is clear that Jem is obviously fearful, in how he uses his sister as an excuse and paces outside...