In chapter eleven, Atticus makes Jem read to Mrs. Dubose on a daily basis for two hours as punishment for destroying her camellia bush. Jem ends up reading to Mrs. Dubose for an entire month and notices that she gradually begins to stay awake longer each day. Shortly after Jem fulfills his punishment, Mrs. Dubose passes away and Atticus explains to his children that she was a morphine addict, whose last wish was to conquer her addiction before she died. Atticus refers to Mrs. Dubose as the bravest person he's ever known and defines "real courage" by telling Jem and Scout,
"It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do" (Lee, 115).
Atticus not only defines real courage but demonstrates courageous behavior by valiantly defending Tom Robinson in front of a racist jury. Atticus's defense is considered a prime example of "real courage" because he knows that he has no chance of winning the case but follows through with his duty regardless of the outcome.
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