To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, is considered a masterpiece of American literature. The book moves the readers by showing real human behavior and emotions, such as innocence, hatred, love, humor, and kindness. Jem, a character in the novel, is turning into a young adult from a child; He helps develop the themes of youth, tolerance, and courage.
When the book starts, Jem is still a naive child. Throughout the book, Jem grows into a young adult. In the first chapter, Dill dares Jem to touch the Radley house; Jem’s response was “touch the house, that all?” (Chapter 1). He is scared that touching the house will hurt him somehow. At the beginning of the book, Jem is still a young and naive child. After the trial of Tom Robinson, Jem understands what has happened, but does not understand why it was significant, "how could they do it, how could they?" (Chapter 20). Jem knows that the jury’s decision was wrong, he knows that Tom is innocent, and the jury only convicted Tom because of his race. At this point in the book, Jem is not as naive, and he understands more about life around him. Jem …show more content…
However, Atticus, Jem’s father, tries to raise Jem and his sister, Scout, to think of black people as equals. In chapter 11 Scout is asking Atticus why the town’s people call Atticus awful names, he answers "I do my best to love everybody.” (Chapter 11) Atticus teaches Jem and Scout to love and respect everyone irrespective of their skin color. From a young age, Jem has known that black people are equal to him. With the trial occurring, Jem’s beliefs are questioned when people believe Mr. Ewell, “well I don’t care one speck. It ain’t right.” (Chapter 19). Jem grew up to believe that black people are equal to him, so when people belittle Tom, Jem knows it is wrong. He believes that everyone is equal and that people should respect each other, and it is wrong when the town’s people are prejudice against black
When the book starts, Jem is still a naive child. Throughout the book, Jem grows into a young adult. In the first chapter, Dill dares Jem to touch the Radley house; Jem’s response was “touch the house, that all?” (Chapter 1). He is scared that touching the house will hurt him somehow. At the beginning of the book, Jem is still a young and naive child. After the trial of Tom Robinson, Jem understands what has happened, but does not understand why it was significant, "how could they do it, how could they?" (Chapter 20). Jem knows that the jury’s decision was wrong, he knows that Tom is innocent, and the jury only convicted Tom because of his race. At this point in the book, Jem is not as naive, and he understands more about life around him. Jem …show more content…
However, Atticus, Jem’s father, tries to raise Jem and his sister, Scout, to think of black people as equals. In chapter 11 Scout is asking Atticus why the town’s people call Atticus awful names, he answers "I do my best to love everybody.” (Chapter 11) Atticus teaches Jem and Scout to love and respect everyone irrespective of their skin color. From a young age, Jem has known that black people are equal to him. With the trial occurring, Jem’s beliefs are questioned when people believe Mr. Ewell, “well I don’t care one speck. It ain’t right.” (Chapter 19). Jem grew up to believe that black people are equal to him, so when people belittle Tom, Jem knows it is wrong. He believes that everyone is equal and that people should respect each other, and it is wrong when the town’s people are prejudice against black