In Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, the story is centralized around a young girl named Scout and her experiences in a racist society; however, throughout the plotline, Lee develops another extremely dynamic character: Jem, Scout’s older brother. As a bildungsroman, the novel observes Jem’s transition from the naive and innocent world of a child to the callous and bigoted adult-world of the 1930’s. When their father, Atticus, is assigned a case as the defendant of Tom Robinson, a black man who allegedly raped a white woman, Jem’s transition is catalyzed by his exposure to the emotionally heavy concepts of rape and racism. Despite much of their Maycomb County community encouraging Atticus to drop the case, Jem’s father pursues in defending
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Atticus’ loss in court had not amounted to nothing; he had thoroughly embarrassed the family of the woman and made it apparent to any unbiased viewer that the allegation was false. Howbeit, his victory is found to be detrimental, especially when the patriarch of the family, under the influence, assaults Scout and Jem. As consternation pushes Scout to ask “Jem, are you afraid?” (300) he responds in “an unhurried, flat toneless voice… No. Be real quiet again, Scout” (300). In the precarious situation, Jem essentially saves the lives of him and his sister by keeping calm and avoiding panic; indirectly, Jem’s maturity is described as a significant part of his character with his transition finally complete. Ultimately, Lee weaves a bildungsroman which leaves the reader reflecting upon his or her own metamorphosis from child to adult. She utilizes Jem’s character to develop one of the many themes in To Kill a Mockingbird, conveying the melancholy truth that the innocent and naive aspects of youth evanesces with the transition into
Atticus’ loss in court had not amounted to nothing; he had thoroughly embarrassed the family of the woman and made it apparent to any unbiased viewer that the allegation was false. Howbeit, his victory is found to be detrimental, especially when the patriarch of the family, under the influence, assaults Scout and Jem. As consternation pushes Scout to ask “Jem, are you afraid?” (300) he responds in “an unhurried, flat toneless voice… No. Be real quiet again, Scout” (300). In the precarious situation, Jem essentially saves the lives of him and his sister by keeping calm and avoiding panic; indirectly, Jem’s maturity is described as a significant part of his character with his transition finally complete. Ultimately, Lee weaves a bildungsroman which leaves the reader reflecting upon his or her own metamorphosis from child to adult. She utilizes Jem’s character to develop one of the many themes in To Kill a Mockingbird, conveying the melancholy truth that the innocent and naive aspects of youth evanesces with the transition into