Scout and Jem are asked/encouraged to think about Boo Radley as a man, not a monster. Calpurnia makes certain that Scout does not treat Walter Cunningham like he is lesser than the Finches. Atticus advises the children that they are needed/demanded to trear black people and even people like Mrs. Dubose with…
The author may put a deeper meaning behind the title to make the comprehension of the book easier. The use of animal imagery, “To Kill a Mockingbird”, reflects the inability of Maycomb’s townspeople to think morally; negatively impacting certain characters. In a Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” the two main character, Jem and Scout, go on a journey on how the racism and inequality are affecting their town. This essay will explore Atticus’s morals, how Tom Robinson’s trial and life gets influenced by the community’s morals and finally how Scout's changed her morals throughout the novel.…
When they arrive back home in the early morning hours Scout is clutching a blanket that was slyly given to her by Boo Radley himself! As the strange incidents begin to slow down, Atticus works on a rape trial defending a black man. With the controversy of racism and prejudice as prominent as it is in Maycomb, Atticus’ pure-hearted act is almost social suicide and he is called many appalling names such as “nigger lover”. Atticus’ sole mission is to teach his children his candid, honorable and just ways and to show them not to be dragged into society’s wrongful thinking. The name calling pushes Jem and Scout to extreme animosity and causes them to commit misdemeanors such as: Scout losing her temper and punching her cousin and Jem cutting up a neighbor’s flowers because of her awful words about Atticus.…
To begin, the author of the story To Kill A Mockingbird expresses her theme of “coming of age” through many ways. These ways include the development of the characters, symbols used, imagery, tone and motifs. Despite the fact, that she presents numerous themes, such as racism, and social class in the South, it is the coming of age theme that is most apparent in two characters Jem and Scout. As these characters are under the control of their principled father, Jem and Scout have to encounter events that test their beliefs, faith in father’s teachings and to understand the nature of human actions/behavior.…
Life lessons are cultivated at all ages to help individuals grow and thrive throughout a lifetime. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, characters develop through the life lessons instilled in them. The novel, set in the American south in the 1930s, focuses on the Finch family made up of Atticus, Jem and Scout. The children, Jem and Scout, are, like all humans, educated by their surroundings. Atticus, the father, raises and teaches his children with the help of the community.…
As the two of them face repercussions from the narrow-minded town of Maycomb for their father’s highly abhorred actions, they begin to see that the line between good and evil is not nearly as clear-cut as it once used to be. Additionally, Jem and Scout learn several essential values such as empathy, fairness and…
How Scout Grew Up Growing up is an important time in life where people begin to understand themselves, the world and others. To Kill A Mockingbird is a story of two children Jem and Scout Finch growing up; they start to understand themselves and the world in a more adult fashion. In the beginning of the book the young children don't understand the world is why the way it is. They look at a different point of view thanks to Atticus, through the Tom Robinson trial, and interactions with Mrs. Dubose, the Cunninghams, Boo Radley; the children learn to then view the world in a different manner.…
Another one of the many adversity’s that Atticus deals with having to keep his children out of trouble. Jem and Scout find themselves in trouble from time to time, and one of those times is when they try and get a look at Boo Radley. Atticus tells his kin that they should leave Mr. Radley alone because he was like a mockingbird, in that he has never really bothered them so they have no need to go and bother him. With being an older man Atticus cannot be out running after his children and discipline them so he has to use his wisdom to persuade the kids into obeying him and getting them to stay out of trouble. Which is the tool that he uses to overcome his adversities.…
In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, both Jem and Scout undergo a similar experience, when they realize all the quality traits their father has. For instance, while the children are not too amazed with what they know about their father at first, the uncovering of Atticus’ hidden traits only increases the amount of trust and respect the children have for their father. This can be clearly exemplified when Jem and Scout realize “Atticus Finch was the deadest shot in Maycomb County in his time” (129). This new tidbit of information leaves both the children filled with pride for their father, as seen by Scout wanting to “talk about [Atticus] at school on Monday” (130). Despite never talking about her father at school, this new piece…
Jem Finch starts off as his sister’s partner in crime. During their youth, Jem, Scout, and Dill run through the neighborhood, playing games and exploring with Jem as their fearless leader. As a ten year old boy, Jem has the innocence of a mockingbird and wants to grow up to be just like his father. When Atticus takes on the Tom Robinson case, Jem is forced to grow out of his naivety a little too quickly. Throughout the novel, Jem becomes more mature and develops a “…maddening air of wisdom…”…
Amazed and concerned about Dill’s actions, Jem shows a sign of growth and maturity by informing his father about the situation. Although both Dill and Scout see Jem as a “traitor” for telling Atticus, the young man recognizes that he did the right thing. He says, “Dill, I had to tell him… You can’t run three hundred miles off without your mother knowin’” (161).…
It’s important to note that Lee’s use of the oak tree and cement is metaphorical for the cruelty that outsiders receive. Another incident that highlights how children’s perspectives change as they grow is Jem’s unexpected reaction to Mrs. Dubose’s torments. Her constant racism had ruffled his feathers considerably. As stated on page 104, Atticus “never thought Jem would be the one to lose his head over this.” This statement further proves the drastic differences between naive children and informed adolescents.…
In chapter 10, Atticus has to shoot Tim Johnson, a mad dog. After the kids find out that Atticus was once known as One-Shot Finch, Jem says to Scout, “Naw, Scout, it’s something you wouldn’t understand. Atticus is real old, but I wouldn’t care if he couldn’t do anything-I wouldn’t care if he couldn’t do a blessed thing.” (131). At the beginning of this chapter, Jem was upset that his father was different from all of the other kids’ dads.…
Life as a Caucasian child in southern America, during the times of segregation, may seem effortless. Although, two youngsters named Jem and Scout are embedded into the ideology and realization of prejudice and racism much earlier than one may think could be possible. To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel and film about a young girl named Jean Louise Finch, who lived in Maycomb, Alabama during the Great Depression. She and her brother, Jem Finch, learn about morality and many life lessons, including to not destroy something innocent. Throughout the narrative, the duo involves themselves in many complications and events such as the mystery of Boo Radley, and a court case involving an innocent African American man and their father, Atticus Finch.…
Chapter 10 Events In the beginning of this chapter, Scout believes that her father, Atticus, is unlike the other fathers of Maycomb as he does not participate in any sport, or spend time outdoors with her and Jem. Scout is also keeping her promise to Atticus regarding the fact that she will not fight with anyone physically. The two children are rather excited about their Christmas gifts, the two riffles. Uncle Jack agrees to teach the children how to shoot, as Atticus refuses to do so.…