Harper Lee's 1960 novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, focuses on the lives of two young siblings, Jem and Scout Finch, as they mature in a small rural southern town. Taking place during the hard time of the depression, these two young souls are surrounded by underprivileged neighbors, prejudice, and the resentment of the outcome of the Civil War. Things have been the same way for years, but the peacefulness of Maycomb is changed when a black man is accused of raping a white girl. The lives of Scout and Jem are filled with the innocence of childhood. Scout tells the story through her eyes, and in the beginning she does not observe the cruel things that humans do to each other. As Scout ages she begins to discover the prejudices and injustices of the adult world, and the various forms of courage it takes to overcome insurmountable obstacles. Throughout the novel a common thread of courage intertwines the characters in their actions, words, or deeds.
             In the beginning of the novel, Jem and Scout's lives are spent playing outdoors and with Dill, a friend who comes for the summers. They are not bothered by any of the prejudice, evils, or problems that exist in their small town of Maycomb. The three of them spend most of their time mocking and bothering Boo Radley, a secluded man, in an attempt to get him to come out of his home. Later they realize their actions towards the man are unkind and harsh. Further into the novel, Scout discovers the courage Boo Radley exhibits in rescuing them.
             Young children often see courage as a physical act in which someone puts their life in danger. Scout sees her father shoot a mad dog that is charging him, and she thinks of her father having great courage. However, it is through Miss Dubose that Scout learns the greatest courage is found when a person continues to fight for something that they know they will inevitably lose. Scout learns from her father that Miss Dubose knew s...