"It's when you know you've been licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what (112)." Thus Atticus explains to Scout the true meaning of courage and prepares readers for a major theme in the story. Harper Lee uses this motif of courage in her novel To Kill a Mockingbird to develop the theme of racial prejudice. She says that people must be willing to stand up to fight and make this issue known, even when others might object. Prejudice was a massive issue in the 30's and therefore Harper Lee felt the need to explore this issue in her novel. Three people that can be viewed as attempting to overcome the issue of racial prejudice through courage include Mrs. Dubose, Atticus Finch, and Calpurnia.

Lee introduces the initial theme of courage through the character of Mrs. Dubose. To Scout and Jem...