Are you chicken? We hope not, because if so, you won't last a minute among the rough-and-tumble boys of Adenville. In 1896, when The Great Brain is set, no one seems to use their words, and instead fists fly constantly. There's no talking about feelings or anti-bullying initiatives, here—if someone wants the respect of their peers, they're going to have to scrap for it. In this book, there's a lot to be afraid of and a lot of ways for a boy to show his courage. That said, courage isn't particularly nuanced: It's all about putting up your dukes and blending in with the other boys.
Questions About Courage
- What is courage, according to the boys of Adenville? Do you agree or disagree with them? Why?
- How can courage be proven? What different kinds of courage do characters exhibit (physical, mental, social)?
- Why is courage such an important quality in this setting?
Chew on This
In most cases, the people of Adenville demonstrate courage through acts of physical skill.
Tom's greatest moments as a character occur when he demonstrates mental and social courage rather than physical.