Tell Me What Courage Is

During this free write, I will be expanding on the idea of courage in our society, a strong characteristic of Ree in Winter’s Bone. Our society commonly believes the courageous are those who do dangerous unnecessary acts: the skydiver, the racecar driver, or the football player. I’d like to debate this common belief. I think courage is found in someone who does the impossible, even though it may seem very possible to people on the outside. For example, I think it’s courageous for someone who feels that life has knocked them down enough times, and they are ready to give up, to live. Just living, however, seems so simple to those who are happy. Let me give you another example: saying “no.” How many people can easily assert themselves in any situation? How many people have learned and practiced the art of saying that two letter word? I think it’s courageous for someone to fight their fear in being wrong (or judged) by saying “no” when they wish to say it. I’m not expressing that I believe that our society’s definition of courage is altogether wrong. There are still certain scenarios in which I completely agree with the normal understanding of it. For example, those who have served in the military, who sacrifice all. There is also the single parent who just lost zir job or, in Winter’s Bone for example, Ree who is caring for her siblings and mother on no income. I think this is a word that can be thought about endlessly.