Dill's Loss Of Innocence In To Kill A Mockingbird

In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Dill ran away because he felt undesired in the eyes of his parents and he escaped to the only place he felt needed, Maycomb County. Dill confessed his point of view on the situation to Scout, “That wasn't it, he-they just weren't interested in me” (190). Dill failed to reach the ordinary expectations his parents held for him. Therefore, instead of finding a common place with Dill, his parents decided to overlook him completely. Dill continues: “The thing is, what I’m tryin’ to say is -they do get on a lot better without me, I can't help them any. They ain't mean. They buy me everything I want, but it's now-you've-got-it-go-play-with-it” (191). His parents provided materialistic objects, but Dill had no desire for these things (191). Furthermore, his parents had not felt the necessity of his presence and that is what Dill desired most. …show more content…
Jem explaining to Atticus Dill’s whereabouts is a situation that reveals his coming of age and growing maturity (188). Although, at the time Jem may have broken a “childhood code” he had realized how important it was to Dill’s mother where he was. He knew that if Atticus were in her shoes he would have wanted to know (187-188). Jem constantly aspired to be Atticus and wanted Atticus to notice his responsible decision (188). In this instance Jem exemplified Atticus life lesson “standing in someone else's shoes,” which Atticus feels more than strongly about. Dill and Scouts opinion had been the last thing on his mind as he instantly told their father the truth