How is moral courage/bravery represented through the characters in the films

Police go to arrest Billy Ray Cobb and James Willard for the rape of Tonya. This could be considered brave as the black sheriff knew that he may come across conflict with the racist white men, yet he knew it was the right and lawful thing to do.

Carl Lee shoots his daughters rapists as they go into court. This can be seen as moral courage and bravery as he is doing what he thinks is morally right; killing the people that did disgusting things to his daughter. He knew that he would get arrested and probably put to death because of his crime, but he did it for his daughter.

When Carl Lee Hailey is arrested for the shooting of Billy Ray and James Willard, he goes freely into the police car without any cuffs or resistance. This could be said to be moral courage and bravery as he knew he did wrong and he isn’t going to resist being arrested. In Carl Lee’s mind he may possibly think that his fight for justice is already over as the people that hurt his daughter are dead, so there is no need to fight it.

Jake Brigance conveys his opinion on TV and says he wants to show that people in the south can see past colour. “Look past colour and see the truth”. This is moral courage as he had the bravery to speak his opinion on television about black people and how he thinks that they deserve to be treated the same as white people.

Ellen Roark says to Freddie Cobb ‘Carl Lee Hailey should have shot you too’. This is moral courage as saying something like this is quite risky seeing as Freddie just kidnapped and tied her up. This shows her confidence and that she is trying not to show she is scared of him.

‘Mickey mouse’ helped save many people throughout the film and called to warn when something bad was going to happen. He also saved Ellen Roark after she was kidnapped. This shows courage that even though he was part of the KKK this might have only been a ploy to find out information and help people.

Jake Brigance’s final speech when he describes in violent detail, Tonya’s rape and attempted murder. His final sentence ‘Now imagine she’s white’ was a very brave thing to say however I think it won him the case, as it made people really imagine the situation. The speech was a very brave thing to do, it really shows that Jake isn’t afraid of saying what he believes.

Atticus makes it clear to Bob Ewell that he intends to defend Tom Robinson. He doesn't seem to have the time for Bob and there is instantly a divide between the two. This is moral courage because Atticus could have just agreed with Bob for the sake of not having an argument but he wanted to make his opinion clear, showing he isn't afraid of what others think. Scout fights with Walter at

school, Jem breaks it up and then invites Walter to dinner. This is an example of moral courage/bravery on a smaller scale as Jem breaks up the fight showing that he is sensible and the more mature sibling. Inviting Walter over shows that he is polite and perhaps helping his sister to get over her anger at Walter and get to know him

Scout asks her father why he 'defends niggers'. Atticus explains to her that she shouldn't say that word and also says that he wouldn't be able to hold his head up in town if he didn't. He lives his life with high moral standards and wants to be a good example to his children, so they grow up believing the same things. This is an example of moral courage as Atticus knows that defending Tom is the right thing to do as he was inoccent and by defending him, he can convey his feelings across. He wants his children to also grow up having high morals similar to Atticus.

The children visit the prison where their Father is guarding it. When Atticus tells them to go home, Jem says no and one of the men pick him up and says that he'll send him home. Scout defends Jem by kicking the man. This shows moral courage as it shows the children aren't afraid to say what they feel. Also their sibling relationship is good as Scout attacks the man even though he is twice the size of her.

Tom Robinson reveals in the courtroom that Mayella kissed him. 'She reached up and kissed me on the face...' This shows moral courage because Tom knows that even though people may not believe him he has to tell the truth about what happened as it's the right thing to do.

It is revealed close to the end of the film that it was Boo Radley who saved the children from Bob Ewell, but he was also the one that murdered him. This shows moral courage as he actually came out from always staying inside to help the children and save them. This was the morally right thing to do. However, even though he killed Bob, it could be said as moral courage as Bob was attacking the children, had told many lies and was all round a horrible person, it was the right thing to do in his mind.