How Does Mayella Ewell Show Courage

Words: 771
Pages: 4
Open Document
To Kill a Mockingbird Essay The most prominent, recurring theme shown throughout the entirety of To Kill a Mockingbird was inarguably courage. Displayed quite blatantly from time to time by the likes of Atticus, Scout, Jem, and other main focuses of the novel, it was mainly thanks to a handful of supporting characters that this theme was actually able to remain strong during almost every section of the book. The story of Mrs. Dubose, the fire of Ms Maudie’s home, and the trial stand of Mayella Ewell really define ‘courage’. Mrs. Dubose from the eyes of Scout and Jem had always, in the beginning, been portrayed as nothing more than a sour, and bitter old woman. Without knowing anything about her initially, Mrs Dubose was cast away in their …show more content…
Only 19 and a half years old, motherless, almost solely responsible for caring for several brothers and sisters, and isolated from the rest of society, Mayella Ewell doesn’t have many bright sides to her. During the trial you instantly can tell the one parent she does have doesn’t care much for her, and in any case scares her, seen by the way she couldn’t even finish her statement about his tolerability. It shows her fear for him initially, and that he's controlling, but she’s able to overcome that briefly during Atticus’ next question, where she nodded ‘yes’ in answer to her father’s drunken habits, showing an unconscious decision to overrule him. Although these signs were clear enough, more is uncovered about Mayella’s home state during Tom’s testimony as well, when he quotes Mayella, saying she told him “What my papa do to me don’t count”(260), used in the implied context of rape or other romantic/ sexual activities. To be so young, dealing with this abuse, isolation, and living in her home’s all around awful conditions, Mayella shows courage every day just for living. Though never realized by the likes of Scout and Jem, Mayella was outstandingly brave in her own
Show More

Related Documents: How Does Mayella Ewell Show Courage

To Kill A Mockingbird Essay

displays the significance of empathy throughout the book. Empathy can be seen in the ways Atticus Finch, Scout’s father, demonstrates all through the book. Jean Louise Finch, also known as Scout, demonstrates empathy towards Arthur Radley, aka “Boo”, and Mayella Ewell. Atticus and Scout learn and teach all throughout the book. They mature and develop, and can tell what is right and what is wrong. Atticus Finch is the most empathetic character throughout To Kill a Mockingbird . According to the book, authored by Harper Lee…

Words 1210 - Pages 5

Characteristics Of Atticus Finch In To Kill A Mockingbird

In To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee, it is clear to see how different characters interact, and associate with one another, based off of their beliefs, morals, and opinions. Atticus Finch is a man in this novel that provides a balanced view on others and is able to case for his children. The way he interacts with others is not the as how others do in the Maycomb community. As a man in the Maycomb community Atticus stands by his opinions and beliefs. He willingly stands up for what he believes…

Words 2194 - Pages 9

To Kill A Mockingbird Dbq

Harper Lee, she uses race, gender, and class to express who has power versus who does not. In the novel, Mayella Ewell is an 18 year old girl who comes from a very poor white family. She lives with her brothers and father, where she has little to no help around the house. Tom Robinson, a local black man in the neighborhood, would help her outside in the yard when she asked for it. After a long time getting Tom’s help, Mayella tried to kiss him but her father caught her through the window. This led to…

Words 838 - Pages 4

King: To Kill a Mockingbird and Courage Essay

TO Kill a Mocking Bird Essay In the novel "To Kill a Mocking Bird" courage is displayed by several characters in many different and unique ways. The characters I found most fascinating displaying an overwhelmingly strong amount of courage in significant ways include Jean Louise Finch (Scout), Jeremy Atticus Finch ( Jem), and Atticus Finch. These three characters are a family which displayed Courage in very unique ways which help amend themselves and others which possibly look up to them (changing…

Words 654 - Pages 3

Work Essay

for rape and abuse of Mayella Ewell, showing the protection of the of Tom Robinson skin colour and showing the defence of African American People . Atticus Finch is a man with strong values and who does the right thing. This is shown when he defends Tom Robinson despite the social stigma of representing a black man. He teaches Scout and Jem to be accepting of others, and refuse to fight back against Bob Ewell. Tom Robinson was falsely accused of rape & abuse of Mayella Ewell and her father Bob…

Words 1135 - Pages 5

Who Is Atticus A Hero

story To Kill a Mockingbird to show how racism had a great impact on how much freedom and independence America had at the time. Harper Lee was also trying to point out how it would be to be in…

Words 1031 - Pages 5

Atticus Finch Injustice

and their surroundings. As the story develops, one may learn multiple life lessons including those of being courageous, categorization of people and how they have been judged, and how injustice occurs. During the story, characters show how one can be courageous through multiple events. Atticus is one of the characters that shows a good amount of courage, especially through the trial. When Atticus gets questioned for defending Tom he says, “For a number of reasons, the main one is, if I didn’t I couldn’t…

Words 760 - Pages 4

How Does Atticus Show Courage

Mandela once said, “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” To kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, examines how characters in the story develop and show courage towards overcoming their fears. Atticus demonstrates courage by providing legal representation for a black man during a time of intense racial segregation. Scout demonstrates courage by overcoming her fear of Boo Radley…

Words 1914 - Pages 8

To Kill a Mockingbird and Atticus Essay

father, in the first chapter is that he is “satisfactory”, the truth is that Atticus does a lot for Scout and Jem. He plays the role of both Mother and Father and he leads a busy work life as a lawyer. Scout hasn’t got a mother so she is harsh on her Father. We can see this in the way she talks of him as “feeble” and “nearly fifty”. As one reads the novel, Scout grows up and other points of view on Atticus show, we see a new light on Atticus, through Harper Lee’s use of language. Atticus is…

Words 3567 - Pages 15

To Kill A Mockingbird And Social Courage

Courage: The quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, or pain. Well, this may be the dictionary definition, but a dictionary cannot describe our feelings. Things like our Social Courage, Physical Courage, and Moral Courage. Let's see how it relates to everyone’s favourite book, (if you don't like it, at least you read it) To Kill A Mockingbird. Social Courage is the risk of being excluded in social situations. You go against what is popular. I say a good…

Words 480 - Pages 2