Courage Definition Essay

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In today’s society, there are several terms that are relative to people’s personal lives. In other terms, definitions can vary from person to person based on their own personal experiences. When many people think of the word courage, traits such as commitment, risk, or bravery might come to mind. Many people have different perceptions of the word courage, which can be defined differently under certain circumstances. According to the Merriam Webster dictionary the word courage is defined as “the ability to do something that you know is difficult or dangerous” or “mental or moral strength to venture, preserve, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty” (“Courage”). I believe being courageous is being able to complete any given task day after…show more content…
They use the word courage to define other characteristics such as leadership, or honesty. A prime example found in “Conversation with an American Writer” by Yevgeny Yevtushenko. In his poem he says: “You have courage, ' they tell me. /It's not true. I was never courageous” (Yevtushenko, 1-4). Here Yevtushenko is trying to state that he was not being courageous, he was simply just stating the truth. Many people may not view someone being courageous by completing a given task day after day without drawing attention to their self. “On the Rainy River” by Tim O’Brien clearly defines the actions of a courageous person according to my definition. Tim O’Brien who is initially conflicted whether he should go off to war or run off to Canada. O’Brien believes the war isn’t being fought for any legitimate reasons and is against his morals. Although in reality in both situations O’Brien would have been considered a coward, if he ran off to Canada he would have been a coward in the eyes of his family and friends. If he went to war he would’ve been considered a coward to himself. In the end of the story he says: “I survived, but it’s not a happy ending. I was a coward. I went to war” (O’Brien 973). I believe O’Brien’s actions were courageous in the fact that he went to war, day after day without drawing attention to
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