Essay On Jem's Character In 'To Kill A Mockingbird'

Jennifer Murray’s idea that Jem is the main character rather than Scout in her article, Expect From More Than One Way to (Mis)read a Mockingbird, is correct because the story focuses on Jem, specifically his development and adventures, much more than Scout. The first claim to support this is that the story actually starts with “When my brother was nearly thirteen…”(1). This is important to take into account because it’s the first thing the reader sees and begins to create his or her mindset about the book and its characters. Jem is the first character introduced and this is important to the reader because the reader first assumes Jem is the main character. Another reason this allegation is true is that Scout, being the narrator, is always with …show more content…
The final reason is the case that Atticus focuses on teaching and influencing Jem much more than Scout and in much more depth and importance. Atticus teaches Jem not to kill mockingbirds with his rifle because they do nothing but good and do no wrong. “‘Shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit em’, but remember it is a sin to kill a mockingbird.’... ‘Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy.’”(90). This scene is the basis and the strongest point in the book, saying that it is a sin to do something wrong to someone who has done nothing but right. Even though it is meant to teach Jem, it also teaches the reader the lesson as well. Atticus teaches him about bravery and courage, about what the true virtues are and how to change your views from the childish vision of those traits to a mature outlook, and as Jem got older and experienced the trial and knew the culture, Atticus talked to him about and influenced his own societal outlooks on Jem. “It was Jem’s turn to cry. His face streaked with angry tears as we made our way through the cheerful crowd… ‘It ain’t right Atticus,’ said