Table of Contents
This is the introduction
To Kill a Mockingbird: Examples of Scouts Growing Up
Social Growth
Emotional development
Intellectual growth
In conclusion
Inception
Introduction: This is an introduction to the topic at hand. Here we will discuss the importance of the subject and how it relates to our lives.
Harper Lee captures perfectly the essence growth. To Kill a Mockingbird carries a number of messages. One of the most significant is about maturing as a person in a culture rife with racism and inequality. Scout Finch grows from being a child who believes in the goodness of other people to becoming a young adult who begins to see the harsh realities of life. Although she doesn’t fully grasp the injustices in her own society, she has experienced prejudice as others try to make her a more socially acceptable lady. Scout’s views of other community members change as the story progresses. As she grows intellectually, she also shows empathy and compassion towards others. This essay will examine Scout’s maturity. Scout matures dramatically throughout the story. She also learns that it is important to consider the viewpoint of others before making judgments.
Examples of Scout Growing up in To Kill a MockingbirdThroughout the book Scout’s innocence shapes the story in a significant way. When Atticus was approached by the mob, Scout walked up and said “Well Atticus, I just told Mr. Cunningham entailments can be bad but you assured me that it wouldn’t matter.” It takes time… but I knew you’d get through together. Scout’s immaturity was shown by this quote. She didn’t realize how serious the problem was and spoke to the crowd. Atticus is causing her to be uninformed about what she should do. Scout asks Jem why Tom’s jury was not made up of Cunninghams to spite Ewells. Jem dismissed my questions as “infantile”. Jem’s response is useless because Scout is too young to understand Jem’s question. Scout’s immaturity is a factor in her being treated poorly when she makes suggestions about “mature” subjects. Immaturity can make Scout less influential and cause her to have a negative impact on others. Scout’s immaturity makes her judge others. When Walter Cunningham visits for dinner, Scout acts childish and mocks him about his eating habits. Calpurnia confronts Scout and she responds, “he’s not company, Cal. Just a Cunningham.” Atticus instructs her on the importance of putting herself in others’ shoes, and evaluating things from their perspective, before making conclusions. She puts this advice into practice several times. Scout makes a comment about Jem becoming moody because he has just retrieved his pants from Radley. Scout said, “I climbed into Jem’s body and walked around in it. I tried to walk in Jem’s shoes: If I went to Radley alone at two o’clock in the afternoon, my funeral was the next afternoon.” Scout’s maturity is evident in this example, as she empathizes after thinking from Jem’s perspective. Atticus’ advice is particularly relevant at the end when Scout stands on Boo Radley’s doorstep and declares, “Atticus said it…you can only truly understand a man when you stand in his boots ….Just by standing on Boo Radley’s doorstep was enough.” Atticus taught Scout to value and respect differences.
Emotional developmentScout’s emotional development is evident as she develops empathy, becomes more aware of herself and gains self-control. The novel shows her emotional maturity by the way she walks away after fighting Cecil Jacobs. Scout was a hot-tempered girl who would fight anyone who provoked her. Scout says “I dropped my fists as I walked away. The words, ‘Scout’s a c**t-ward,’ were ringing in her ears. This was the first fight I had ever left. It was the first time I ever walked away from a fight. Scout learns how to have empathy, after realizing that Tom Robinson was only convicted because of the economic divisions in Maycomb. As she begins to see the racism in Maycomb, she is sympathetic to the blacks, who lack the same rights and freedoms as whites. Tom was already dead when Mayella Ewell screamed. Scout, despite the fact that Mayella had testified against Tom and called him a liar, feels for her. Scout puts herself into Mayella’s shoes and understands that her behavior is because she was never treated with respect. Scout understands that the Ewells is a lower-class family, a family that society has disregarded. She can also relate to her feelings of loneliness and despair.
Scout’s intellectual development is complete as she matures and becomes a woman of constant curiosity. Scout actively searches for knowledge and morality from her Father throughout the book. This is most evident in the lesson that was taught earlier about putting yourself in someone else’s shoes before you judge them. It is important to mention it again because she will not only become more mature socially and intellectually by following this advice. Her way of thinking will also improve. Scouts is most proud of the intellectual maturity she achieved by using this advice. She was able, for example, to enter Walter Cunningham Sr. and appeal to humanity. She says, “Don’t You Remember Me, Mr. Cunningham?” I’m Jean Louise Finch. Remember when you brought us hickory nut one morning? We talked. I called my dad to thank you. I go to the same school as your son. Walter is a lovely boy. Say ‘hey,’ will you? Scout’s choice of words shows her remarkable intellect. She carefully chose the words she used to make Walter regret threatening Atticus – the man who had allowed him to pay his legal bills in exchange for crop crops. She reminded Walter Atticus helped him and was his friend, and asked that he greet Walter Jr. on behalf of her. This showed him that Walter is a parent just like Atticus. The lynch gang and Walter felt embarrassed and turned back.
Harper Lee’s overall presentation of Scout is that of a young woman trying to find her way in a world of economic inequality, racial prejudice, and moral values. Scout is transformed into a character of great intelligence and maturity. She also displays emotional control, compassion, and social maturity.
