In many novels, the main character learns more about an issue faced in society.
They are usually uninformed or uneducated in the beginning. Then as the events of the novel progress, they slowly learn more about the issue and how to combat it. Scout follows a similar pattern starting from the very beginning of the trial to meeting Boo Radley. In her novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses genre to show Scout learning more about racism and courage. As the book progresses and Scout matures, she learns more about racism, and how it affects people. For example, after Jem tells Dill about Hot Steams, Scout exclaimed, “Don’t you believe a word he says Dill,’ I said. “Calpurnia says that's nigger talk. Jem scowled darkly at me, but said, ‘Well, …show more content…
For instance, after school is let out for a break, she describes, “Catching Walter Cunningham in the schoolyard gave me some pleasure, but when I was rubbing his nose in the dirt Jem came by and told me to stop.” (Lee 22). Here, Scout admits that bullying Walter gives her pleasure, possibly a sense of bravery or pride. In this instance, Scout is seen to think that bravery can only be executed using violence. In another case, before Scout is about to fight Cecil Jacobs, she realizes, “Atticus had promised me he would wear me out if he ever heard me fighting anymore; I was far too old and too big for such childish things, and the sooner I learned to hold it in, the better off everybody would be.” (Lee 74). In the example, Scout realizes that she is too old and mature to be fighting anyone, and that she would be disappointing Atticus as well, so she decides to back down and walk away. Scout demonstrates that she is aware that courage is not just fighting and dominating someone, but also being able to back down and do what is right. Finally, when Scout, Jem and Atticus were walking by Mrs. Dubose’s house, Scout points out that Atticus always talks to Mrs. Dubose, explaining, “When the three of us came to her house, Atticus would sweep off his hat, wave gallantly to her and say, ‘Good evening Mrs. Dubose! You look like a picture this evening. I never heard Atticus say like a picture of
They are usually uninformed or uneducated in the beginning. Then as the events of the novel progress, they slowly learn more about the issue and how to combat it. Scout follows a similar pattern starting from the very beginning of the trial to meeting Boo Radley. In her novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses genre to show Scout learning more about racism and courage. As the book progresses and Scout matures, she learns more about racism, and how it affects people. For example, after Jem tells Dill about Hot Steams, Scout exclaimed, “Don’t you believe a word he says Dill,’ I said. “Calpurnia says that's nigger talk. Jem scowled darkly at me, but said, ‘Well, …show more content…
For instance, after school is let out for a break, she describes, “Catching Walter Cunningham in the schoolyard gave me some pleasure, but when I was rubbing his nose in the dirt Jem came by and told me to stop.” (Lee 22). Here, Scout admits that bullying Walter gives her pleasure, possibly a sense of bravery or pride. In this instance, Scout is seen to think that bravery can only be executed using violence. In another case, before Scout is about to fight Cecil Jacobs, she realizes, “Atticus had promised me he would wear me out if he ever heard me fighting anymore; I was far too old and too big for such childish things, and the sooner I learned to hold it in, the better off everybody would be.” (Lee 74). In the example, Scout realizes that she is too old and mature to be fighting anyone, and that she would be disappointing Atticus as well, so she decides to back down and walk away. Scout demonstrates that she is aware that courage is not just fighting and dominating someone, but also being able to back down and do what is right. Finally, when Scout, Jem and Atticus were walking by Mrs. Dubose’s house, Scout points out that Atticus always talks to Mrs. Dubose, explaining, “When the three of us came to her house, Atticus would sweep off his hat, wave gallantly to her and say, ‘Good evening Mrs. Dubose! You look like a picture this evening. I never heard Atticus say like a picture of