How does Atticus Finch demonstrate courage despite the consequences in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird?

Atticus Finch is the novel's most morally upright individual, and he courageously defends Tom Robinson in front of a prejudiced jury. Atticus knows he has no chance of winning the case because he is facing a racist jury whose members are prejudiced against African Americans. In the 1930s, the black community was discriminated against and segregated from the white community in the Deep South. When Uncle Jack asks Atticus how bad the upcoming trial will be, Atticus says,

It couldn't be worse, Jack. The only thing we've got is a black man's word against the Ewells'. The evidence boils down to you-did—I-didn't. The jury couldn't possibly be expected to take Tom Robinson's word against the Ewells' (Lee 55).

Atticus goes on to say he wouldn't be able to face his children if he did not take the case. Atticus understands the importance of doing the right thing, even if he has no chance of winning the case. When Scout asks her father why he is still going to defend Tom when he has no chance of winning, Atticus says, "Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win" (Lee 48).

Atticus displays courage by valiantly defending Tom Robinson, despite the community's criticism and prejudiced jury.