True Courage

Jem and Scout are walking to the store to buy some toys. A steam engine for Jem, and a baton for Scout. They have to pass by Mrs. Dubose's house, a very old lady with a rude personality. She spouts insults at them when they pass her house. One day, one of her comments really pisses off Jem. She insulted Atticus, calling him a lover of blacks. The next day, Jem destroys the camilas in Mrs. Dubose's backyard. Jem is mad because she disrespected Atticus, but Atticus tells him that destroying the home of an old woman is a sin and that it is cruel. He forces Jem to go over to Mrs. Dubose's house and read to her as punishment for his transgression. He had more to this plan though. Mrs. Dubose has a morphine addiction because of her sickness, and Jem is placed as a distraction so she can overcome her addiction. This is true courage on Mrs. Dubose's part. She overcame her addiction, which is evil, and died without it.

Another example of true courage lies in Atticus's past. He used to be a marksman, and he would shoot at living things. He decided to put down his God-given talent because of his unfair advantage over the animals. This is also true courage because he put down his talent that he was doing bad for God's sake. 30 years after this event, he has a choice: kill Tim Johnson, or let the Radleys die. He does good with his talent; he kills Tim Johnson and saves that Radleys. Both Atticus and Mrs. Dubose have true courage. They are willing to eliminate a piece of their dark side, and stay on God's good side.