The Great Brain Courage Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

Sweyn shook his head when I finished. "Old T.D. sure has courage," he said. "I wouldn't venture into that cave for anything." (3.174)

What Tom has is motivation. If he doesn't bring Lady and her owners out of the cave, he's out a couple of dollars, at least. If there's one thing Tom would risk life and limb for, it's a couple of dollars.

Quote #5

He looked steadily at Mr. Kokovinis. "Basil is no coward or cry baby," he said. "He fought Sammy Leeds. He got whipped because he doesn't know beans about fighting."

I thought Mr. Kokovinis would be angry. Instead he looked pleased. "I knew my son was no coward," he said. "Now this Sammy Leeds, you told me you could beat him. Can you teach my son how to fight so he can beat this boy?" (5.157-158)

Are these boys mountain goats or something? Does a new member of the herd have to fight everyone to prove he belongs? Apparently, the answers to those questions are yes and yes.

Quote #6

I put my arm around Tom's shoulders. "Old S.D. certainly has courage," I said. "He didn't even cry."

"That was an act put on for Mamma and Papa," Tom said. "As soon as the train gets around the bend he will need that extra handkerchief Mamma put in his pocket." (7.7-8)

Tom doesn't think a lot of his brothers in the courage department—or in the brains department. Or maybe he's just trying to show that he's not upset by S.D.'s departure. We bet he's going straight home to see if Sweyn left anything in his piggy bank.