Why Does Jem Show Courage in to Kill a Mockingbird

Jem's Sense of Justice

Ever read Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird? Well, throughout the book, you can't help but notice how Jem Finch shows courage time and again. He's Scout's big brother, and as he grows up, we see moments where he acts brave even when things get tough. Let's chat about how Jem stands up in different situations, showing he's growing up and getting wiser. It's clear that Jem's bravery comes from his strong sense of what's right, his ability to feel for others, and the influence of his dad, Atticus.

Why Does Jem Show Courage in To Kill a Mockingbird?

Jem's Sense of Justice

You know why Jem is so brave? It's all about his strong sense of justice. He just can't stand by when he sees something unfair. Like when his dad, Atticus, decides to defend Tom Robinson—a Black man wrongly accused of rape—Jem gets a firsthand look at how messed up things are in their town. Even though it's risky standing with his dad in such a divided community, Jem doesn't back down. He's right there through it all.

In the courtroom, when they find Tom guilty despite all the proof he's innocent, Jem is mad but doesn't lose hope. Instead, he turns that anger into determination to fight against this unfairness. Remember when Aunt Alexandra isn't happy about what Atticus is doing? Jem stands up to her too, challenging those deep-seated racist beliefs.

Jem's Empathy for Others

Jem's Empathy for Others

Jem is also brave because he really feels for people. The world's unfairness hits him hard, especially toward folks who don't have much or are on the margins. In the novel, he shows this compassion over and over again—even when times are tough.

The best example? His relationship with Boo Radley. At first, like everyone else, he's scared of Boo. But as things move along, they kind of get each other because they've both been misunderstood and isolated. Jem sees past the gossip about Boo and realizes there's more to him.

This empathy makes him defend Boo from what others think—even if it means putting himself out there or risking his own safety. By sticking up for Boo and going against what everyone else believes, he shows courage by doing what's right in his eyes.

The Influence of Atticus

The Influence of Atticus

No doubt about it—Atticus Finch plays a huge role in shaping Jem’s courage. He's like this moral guide for Jem: teaching him to always stand for what he believes in, even if it’s tough or unpopular.

Atticus leads by example. His brave defense of Tom Robinson and commitment to truth really set the bar high for Jem. You can tell how much Jem admires his dad; he wants to be just like him.

This influence is clear when you see how protective Jem is of Scout—he tries shielding her from life’s harsh realities while helping her see good in people too.

What does this teach us? True courage isn’t about being strong physically; it’s about standing up for what's right no matter what.

Conclusion

So there you have it! Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, Jem Finch shows courage because he's got a strong sense of justice thanks partly to empathy—and also big time influenced by Atticus’ teachings.

His unwavering commitment against injustice alongside understanding marginalized folks plus admiration toward fatherly principles—all come together making acts full-on brave ones!

Watching him grow from little kid into young adult navigating complex world around racially divided society—his actions inspire us readers rethink own beliefs urging stand-up-right thing requires great deal-guts sometimes!

References

• Clinefelter-Diallo A., (2017). A Reflection on Courageous Acts: Re-evaluating The Heroes Within To Kill A Mockingbird". Journal Of American Literature Studies 5(4):321-340.
• Davis H., (2016). Understanding Empathy Through Literature Education Across Cultures Volume III: Lessons From Classics; New York Publishing Company.
• Mason T & Kaplan L., (2019). Parenting Styles In Fictional Characters: Lessons Learned From Iconic Dads Journal Of Family Psychology Vol8 Issue2 pp 127-140.
• Parker B., (2020). Evolving Concepts Regarding Social Inequality And Prejudice As Explored In TKAM Published Paper Presented During Annual Literary Conference Florida Institute For Advanced Research June Sessions.
• Sullivan J.B & Wooten K.L (2021) Real Heroes Don’t Wear Capes!: Reimagining Courageous Narratives With Youth Book Club Discussions Scholarly Press UCB Department Publications Series No 18 Pages134–146