Many students believe that To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee shows the social issues in early America. In that period, opposing common customs was unacceptable, a violation of society. People today believe that courage has overcome the adversity manifested in early America. Courage is the common theme of To Kill a Mockingbird, which allows Lee's novel to challenge humanity's changing times. This morality is linked to the “impartiality” and “fairness” taught to people as children, but it inevitably becomes invisible through selfish actions. The characters in To Kill a Mockingbird express boldness and resilience in the face of cowardice. In the novel, one of the main characters is the narrator's father, Atticus Finch. He is portrayed as a righteous character with common social grace. As the novel develops, Atticus begins to represent courage and sacrifice that go against all common decency. The beginning of his courage is defined by the offering of his services to a local African American, Tom Robinson, something unheard of in 1930s South Alabama. Robinson gained a lot of prominence during the trial, due to the charges against him coupled with his ethnicity. The entire city was aware of the allegations made by the plaintiff, Bob Ewell. Ewell said Robinson deliberately took advantage of Ewell's 19-year-old daughter. Mayella Ewell states in court: "I have something to say and then I won't say anything else. That nigga over there took advantage of me and if you fancy gentlemen don't want to do nothing about it, then you Y'all yellow, stinkin' cowards, stinkin' cowards, all of you.” Even though Ewell's daughter knows she is lying, she allows everyone to continue with the indignation towards Robinson, to leave... middle of paper ..... his joy in his forced state in bed Atticus declared, “She died in debt to nothing and no one. She was the bravest person I ever knew." Mrs. Dubose's fearless heart kept her going until it stopped beating. Harper Lee has fulfilled a writer's greatest dream; her book is timeless. The theme of The To Kill a Mockingbird, courage, is one that no one can deny is a central idea not only in the novel but also in life that courage is something we are all born with, but I don't agree Atticus once said to Scout: “They certainly have a right to think so, and they are entitled to full respect for their opinions,” Atticus said, “but before me. I can live with other people I have to live with myself. The only thing that does not respect the majority rule is a person's conscience." Only courageous people can teach others to stand up for what they truly believe.