In order to grow up and mature, a person must learn to respect other people’s feelings and opinions. Chapter 11 of To Kill a Mockingbird models this idea well. The literary elements of setting, character, and conflict in Chapter 11 develop the theme that coming of age involves recognizing different perspectives. Jem and Scout’s exploration of Maycomb County helps broaden their world and forces them to face other perspectives. When they were younger, “Jem and [Scout] confined [their] activities to the southern neighborhood” (Lee, 114) but, now that they are older, “the business section of Maycomb dr[aws] [them] frequently up the street past the real property of Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose” (Lee, 114). Jem and Scout had stayed in one area
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Dubose changes throughout the chapter, causing him to mature. At first, Jem believes her to be an “old hell-devil” (Lee, 128); however, that changes when Atticus explained to Jem that he made Jem see Mrs. Dubose because he “wanted [Jem] to see what real courage is” (Lee, 128). Jem’s past interaction with Mrs. Dubose left him seeing her as nasty and mean because she insulted him and his family. He is unaware of the hardships she overcame, but when Atticus explains to him how brave Mrs. Dubose is, he sees her in a new light and begins to mature into a compassionate adult. Jem’s conflict with Mrs. Dubose results in a falling out, which causes him to be a better person. Mrs. Dubose makes Jem angry by insulting him and his family, so he snaps and “cut[s] off the tops of every camellia bush Mrs. Dubose own[s]” (Lee, 118). He soon realizes that he had reacted harshly, leading him to clean “it up for her” (Lee, 120) and “sa[y] [he] was sorry” (Lee, 120). Jem learns that lashing out isn’t the proper response to someone with a different opinion and becomes a better person through this lesson. Coming of age involves recognizing different perspectives. This theme in supported by the literary elements of setting, characters, and plots in Chapter 11. Jem and Scout discover new perspectives by exploring their town, realize that perspectives can change, and learn how not to deal with these new
Dubose changes throughout the chapter, causing him to mature. At first, Jem believes her to be an “old hell-devil” (Lee, 128); however, that changes when Atticus explained to Jem that he made Jem see Mrs. Dubose because he “wanted [Jem] to see what real courage is” (Lee, 128). Jem’s past interaction with Mrs. Dubose left him seeing her as nasty and mean because she insulted him and his family. He is unaware of the hardships she overcame, but when Atticus explains to him how brave Mrs. Dubose is, he sees her in a new light and begins to mature into a compassionate adult. Jem’s conflict with Mrs. Dubose results in a falling out, which causes him to be a better person. Mrs. Dubose makes Jem angry by insulting him and his family, so he snaps and “cut[s] off the tops of every camellia bush Mrs. Dubose own[s]” (Lee, 118). He soon realizes that he had reacted harshly, leading him to clean “it up for her” (Lee, 120) and “sa[y] [he] was sorry” (Lee, 120). Jem learns that lashing out isn’t the proper response to someone with a different opinion and becomes a better person through this lesson. Coming of age involves recognizing different perspectives. This theme in supported by the literary elements of setting, characters, and plots in Chapter 11. Jem and Scout discover new perspectives by exploring their town, realize that perspectives can change, and learn how not to deal with these new