Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee - 1799 Words

While not all people possess gallantry and bravery, there are also many figures of society that demonstrate various acts of courage. In the Pulitzer prize-winning novel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, multiple characters in Maycomb demonstrate acts of firmness and integrity that are both big and small. The story revolves around the citizens of Maycomb, and the events that surround the trial of a negroe man named Tom Robinson. Throughout the novel, citizens from all social classes and backgrounds conduct themselves in a courageous manner in particular situations. Mrs. Dubose shows immense bravery while fighting a difficult personal battle with addiction, while Scout, a young girl, must be gallant at such a young age when she is told†¦show more content†¦Instead, she acts immaturely and is uncooperative, despite the fact that she has less at stake than Tom Robinson. Mayella Ewell witnesses the crime take place and then later testifies in front of the courtroom. Atticus i s attempting to question Mayella, but she is not being very cooperative and it is visible that she is hiding things from the jury. Atticus repeatedly questions her and asks, â€Å" ‘Do you love your father, Miss Mayella?’ was his next. ‘ Love him, whatcha mean?’ ‘ I mean, is he good to you, is he easy to get along with?’ ‘ He does tollable, ‘cept when-’ ‘ Except when?’ Mayella looked at her father, who was sitting with his chair tipped against the railing. He sat up straight and waited for her to answer. ‘ Except when nothin’,’ said Mayella. ‘ I said he does tollable.’ Mr. Ewell leaned back again† (245). It is clear to the jury, along with everyone else in the courtroom, that Mayella is very tense and cannot answer the questions honestly, due to the fact that she is afraid to answer something wrong. Further into the testimony, Mayella ultimately refuses to answer any inqui ries of Atticus. He questions, â€Å" ‘Then why didn’t the other children hear you? Where were they? At the dump?’ No answer. ‘ Why didn’t your screams make them come running? The dump’s closer than the woods, isn’t it?’ No answer†¦. ‘ Did you scream first at your father instead of at Tom Robinson? Was that it?’ No answer. ‘ Who beat you up? Tom Robinson or your father?’ No answer† (251). Her