"If you shouldn't defend him, then why do you?", Scout asks Atticus. (Lee 75). Atticus is fully aware of the consequences of fighting for equality, yet proceeds anyway in an attempt to save an innocent man. Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird demonstrates that courage, whether physical or moral, exposes the content of character, ultimately altering society's representation of who one is in terms of equality. identity. The novel shows many different forms of value that exemplify this. They include the courage to stand up for one's beliefs, to change and to overcome obstacles. Within the city of Maycomb, standing up for what you believe in causes chaos and piles of negativity. This is exemplified when Atticus takes Tom Robinson's case. Atticus strongly supports equality and believes that Tom is innocent, leading him to ignore the constant criticism made by the citizens of Maycomb and accept his case anyway he chooses to defend Tom, and he responds by saying, "For a number of reasons... The main one is that if I didn't I couldn't hold my head up in town, I couldn't represent this county in the legislature, I couldn't even tell you or Jem not to do anything anymore" (75). Atticus Finch is a man who has lived his entire life respecting the norms of society, if he were to dismiss the case he would destroy every moral right he once defended. You see his character and understand that Atticus will prepare for ridicule and a war against his own hometown, to protect an innocent man. Arthur Radley demonstrates one of the most significant signs of courage throughout the novel. He exemplifies courage by not giving in to the city's norms, and instead... middle of paper... Atticus shows that sometimes showing valor means stepping out of your comfort zone and breaking your morals. (correct closing sentence) Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee demonstrates multiple situations where valor is required. You experience the courage to stand up for your beliefs, to change and to overcome obstacles, as if you were participating in the events in Maycomb. The reader sees that courage, whether physical or moral, shows the content of the characters, which ultimately alters society's representation of who you are in terms of identity. Just like Atticus said; I wanted to show you what real courage is, instead of giving you the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're defeated before you start, but you start anyway and make it no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do. (112)(conclusion)