Maturation, a process during which children lose their innocence and outspokenness, is seen in several characters throughout numerous books, including in To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. Becoming mature is not an overnight happening, and it definitely took a few years for Scout Finch. By experiencing racial inequalities and societal injustices at Calpurnia’s church, Tom Robinson’s trial, and the Missionary Tea Society, Scout Finch transforms from an innocent, headstrong, and indifferent girl to a mature, intelligent, and tolerant young lady.
Initially, when Scout visited Calpurnia’s church, Scout witnesses the hatred of white people in the black community due to the disrespect the black residents endure. Lula tells Calpurnia that she, …show more content…
An example of racial bias is shown close to the conclusion of the court scene when Atticus tried for the last time that day to convince the men on the jury that Tom Robinson, the defendant, did not rape Mayella Ewell and, “To begin with, this case should never have come to trial. This case is as simple as black and white… It has relied instead upon the testimony of two witnesses… but has been flatly contradicted by the defendant. The defendant is not guilty, but somebody in this courtroom is. (271)” During Atticus’ influential monologue towards the jury, Scout starts to realize that the jury may see that Tom Robinson is innocent, nonetheless they cannot voice their opinion since a jury full of white people cannot support or assist black people without being scoffed down on or being named wrongly by the people in the society, even though they do not live in Maycomb County. Scout also learns that the only reason that the case came to court was simply in view of the fact a black man was accused by white people, however if the situation was vice-versa, the black people would not dare to accuse the white people, showing another example of racial segregation and bias in Maycomb County. Likewise, Scout learns how crucial society can be and how society and its code can restrict one from doing what he wants to do, comparable to when Mayella, “kissed a black man. Not an old Uncle, but a strong young Negro man. No code mattered to her before she broke it, but it came crashing down on her afterwards.(272)” Scout learns two points through this situation, one of which is performing activities that no one encourages in a society can result in people looking down on others. The second point Scout learns is that it is wrong to be associated with a black person, in any way except if the black person is working for you, and contact other than the necessary is what gets people into trouble
Initially, when Scout visited Calpurnia’s church, Scout witnesses the hatred of white people in the black community due to the disrespect the black residents endure. Lula tells Calpurnia that she, …show more content…
An example of racial bias is shown close to the conclusion of the court scene when Atticus tried for the last time that day to convince the men on the jury that Tom Robinson, the defendant, did not rape Mayella Ewell and, “To begin with, this case should never have come to trial. This case is as simple as black and white… It has relied instead upon the testimony of two witnesses… but has been flatly contradicted by the defendant. The defendant is not guilty, but somebody in this courtroom is. (271)” During Atticus’ influential monologue towards the jury, Scout starts to realize that the jury may see that Tom Robinson is innocent, nonetheless they cannot voice their opinion since a jury full of white people cannot support or assist black people without being scoffed down on or being named wrongly by the people in the society, even though they do not live in Maycomb County. Scout also learns that the only reason that the case came to court was simply in view of the fact a black man was accused by white people, however if the situation was vice-versa, the black people would not dare to accuse the white people, showing another example of racial segregation and bias in Maycomb County. Likewise, Scout learns how crucial society can be and how society and its code can restrict one from doing what he wants to do, comparable to when Mayella, “kissed a black man. Not an old Uncle, but a strong young Negro man. No code mattered to her before she broke it, but it came crashing down on her afterwards.(272)” Scout learns two points through this situation, one of which is performing activities that no one encourages in a society can result in people looking down on others. The second point Scout learns is that it is wrong to be associated with a black person, in any way except if the black person is working for you, and contact other than the necessary is what gets people into trouble