Everyone has a different personality, and where they get it comes from the lessons that are taught to them in their childhood. The lessons people pick up shape them into who they are today. For the majority, those lessons are taught by the important adults in their lives. It was the same for Jem during his childhood. In To Kill A Mockingbird, Jem learned what real courage looks like, how to stand up for his beliefs, and what it means to be a gentleman.
During Jem's childhood, he learned and saw what real courage actually was. Mrs. Dubose was someone who suffered from the withdraws of morphine, but despite death, she decided to get rid of your addiction anyway (Lee, 40). She was courageous because even though she would die she was determined to become free of the drug. Jem learned this when Atticus gave him her …show more content…
When Calpurnia took them to church, Jem offered to help donate money instead of letting Calpurnia do it all herself (Lee, 163). Firstly, this shows Jem's kindness and politeness which makes him a gentleman. Secondly, it shows Jem's understanding of how money is harder to come by for some people, so he used his blessings to help. After the attack from Bob Ewell, Mr. Heck Tate said, "All he wanted to do was get him and his sister safely home" (Lee, 369). This shows that even in disastrous events, Jem was responsible enough to try to get Scout and him home safely. His courageous act sent him another step closer to being a proper gentleman. Coming home from the jail, the kids felt uneasy about the whole incident, but when Scout started to cry Jem comforted her instead of teasing her (Lee, 208). While before he childishly picked on Scout, later in the book he was more gentle and considerate with her. It is yet another sign to see he is growing up into a gentleman that will care for his sister. Jem learned and acquired the traits of a gentleman through his
During Jem's childhood, he learned and saw what real courage actually was. Mrs. Dubose was someone who suffered from the withdraws of morphine, but despite death, she decided to get rid of your addiction anyway (Lee, 40). She was courageous because even though she would die she was determined to become free of the drug. Jem learned this when Atticus gave him her …show more content…
When Calpurnia took them to church, Jem offered to help donate money instead of letting Calpurnia do it all herself (Lee, 163). Firstly, this shows Jem's kindness and politeness which makes him a gentleman. Secondly, it shows Jem's understanding of how money is harder to come by for some people, so he used his blessings to help. After the attack from Bob Ewell, Mr. Heck Tate said, "All he wanted to do was get him and his sister safely home" (Lee, 369). This shows that even in disastrous events, Jem was responsible enough to try to get Scout and him home safely. His courageous act sent him another step closer to being a proper gentleman. Coming home from the jail, the kids felt uneasy about the whole incident, but when Scout started to cry Jem comforted her instead of teasing her (Lee, 208). While before he childishly picked on Scout, later in the book he was more gentle and considerate with her. It is yet another sign to see he is growing up into a gentleman that will care for his sister. Jem learned and acquired the traits of a gentleman through his