Challenges are not meant to be easy. But the strength put into it, can help prepare for adulthood. Overcoming challenges can help a person grow maturely as shown by Scout in “To Kill A Mockingbird” and by Jerry in “Through the Tunnel”. To begin, in “To Kill A Mockingbird”, Scout has always been an outgoing, tomboy, and a person who is not afraid to do anything, especially getting into fights. In the beginning of the book, Scout beats up Walter Cunningham because Walter got Scout in trouble by their teacher. Scout has proven herself to grow wise because when Cecil Jacobs says that Atticus defends “niggers” Scout lost her temper and wanted to beat Cecil Jacobs up but didn’t. “I drew a bead on him, remembered what Atticus has said, then dropped …show more content…
Jerry first met some older boys at a wild beach and it made Jerry want to go meet them and be friends with them. Jerry watches the boys as they jump off a rock and dives into the water. They all come up gasping for air. Jerry was amazed and wanted to try to go through the tunnel too. This proves that Jerry is maturing because he finally leaves his comfort zone and looks up to the older boys which makes Jerry realize what he has to do to be a man. “He felt he was dying. He was no longer conscious. He struggled on in the darkness cracked with an explosion of green light. His hands, groping forward, met nothing; and his feet, kicking him back, propelled him out into the open sea. (Lessing 5). This shows that Jerry has matured because he went through all of the challenges of going through the tunnel and made it out back alive. He was unconscious and felt like he was dying. Yet, he still made it back alive and proved that he doesn’t need his mother to help him, because he faced this challenge by himself. As a result, overcoming challenges can help a person grow maturely as shown by Scout in “To Kill A Mockingbird” and by Jerry in “Through the Tunnel”. Scout overcame the hardship of Cecil Jacobs calling Atticus a defender of niggers and calling her a coward. She has shown maturity by not fighting Cecil Jacobs. Jerry overcame the hardship of leaving his comfort zone and trying something new. This proves that Jerry has matured because he was able to do something life threatening and scary by himself. In the end, Scout and Jerry both proved that defeating challenges can lead to
people and see things from their point of view. Scout learns and understands this lesson firsthand
This is shown in the scene where Scout is being teased by Cecil Jacobs because Atticus is defending Tom, Scout states in this scene that "My fists were clenched and I was ready to let fly" (Lee 74). Although Scout was tempted to fight Cecil she did not because she made a promise to Atticus that she would stop fighting. Scout 's actions throughout these scenes show how she is beginning to mature. Although Scout shows development in her maturity she is still lacking in it. This is seen all throughout the scene of her cousin Francis stating "If Uncle Atticus lets you run around with stray dogs, that’s his own business, like Grandma says, so it ain 't your fault if Uncle Atticus is a nigger-lover besides, but I 'm here to tell you it certainly does mortify the rest of the family--" (Lee 83). Scouts loses all sense of her actions in this point in time and pounce on Francis but he just manages to escape her grasp and escape to the kitchen, so Scout sits on the steps and waits for him. A few moments later Aunt Alexandra comes in and asks what is going on, and Francis says that Scout is holding him hostage and says that she beat him up, but Scout shows a lot of maturity by owning up to her actions and not lying to Aunt Alexandra. Scout 's maturity has really started to develop as she is faced with the judgements of others during the Robinson case.
In the beginning of the novel, Scout is just a regular 5 year-old girl who has no knowledge with the crisis and reality of the world. Later in the novel Scout changes, she sees/experiences racial prejudice but Atticus teaches her that you can change evil to good if you just
<br>Later in the book, however, Scout changes. She now tries to control her temper, and is somewhat successful. One example of this is when Cecil Jacobs, another of Scout's classmates, insults Atticus by saying that Atticus defended Niggers. Scout remembers that she shouldn't fight, and walks away. "Cecil Jacobs made me forget. He had announced in the schoolyard the day before that Scout Finch's daddy defended niggers You gonna take that back boy?' You gotta make me first!' he yelled I drew a bead on him, remembered what Atticus had said, then dropped my fists and walked away, Scout's a cow-ward!' ringing in my ears" (80-81). Scout also learns to respect and value
Veering sharply to the right, a large flock of birds neatly avoids a high wall.
How Scout Develops from a Tomboy to a Young Lady in To Kill a Mockingbird
Atticus discusses the Ku Klux Klan on pg. 149 and concludes by saying that the Klan is gone. Is this statement correct? Explain.
Scout also learns to control her anger and to not react when people tease her. She learns this lesson when Cecil Jacobs says “Scout Finch’s daddy defends niggers” and that he is a “disgrace”. Atticus says “Scout got to learn to keep her head” meaning she needs to control her anger. She puts this advice into practice when Cecil Jones has a go at her again. She “dropped (her) fists and walked away…” because “if (she) fought Cecil (she) would let Atticus down” This shows that she had learnt to control her anger and that she has reached a level of maturity.
Atticus wants Scout to be less hot headed and more diplomatic. Her first instinct when placed in a situation where she has the disadvantage is to beat that person up. Atticus wants to teach Scout to deal with harsh, rude remarks calmly so they don’t boil up inside her. He wants her to learn to work out problems nicely because she has a logical mind if she would use it correctly. She rebels against what she’s taught when she’s thinking too quickly but if she took time to sort things out, a peaceful solution could be reached. Cecil Jacobs, a boy at Scout’s school, announced that Scout’s father defended n’s and was a disgrace. Scout was infuriated by the way he said it. She was ready to defend herself and Atticus with her fists but decided against it and walked away. She listened to Atticus’s advice because she didn’t want to let him down. Even though she was called a coward, she retained her dignity through Atticus’s approval. In general, anyone who has to deal with a bully shouldn’t fight fire with fire. Retaliation and physical fights are not the answer. Maintain pride in yourself and your beliefs. Don’t stoop so low as to want to hurt someone. As an alternative, find a solution that will make sure that problem isn’t aroused again.
She even lets Cecil Jacobs call her a “cow-ward” in order to keep her promise. The situation shows how much respect she has for Atticus. Not only does Scout have to endure such harsh language, she has to keep herself from lashing out. This perseverance demonstrates change from the beginning of the book to at the current point. After Walter Cunningham caused her to be embarrassed in front of the classroom, Scout states, “Catching Walter Cunningham in the schoolyard gave me some pleasure, but when… ‘He made me start off on the wrong foot.’” (Lee, 30) The start of the book shows Scout using revenge to justify her anger. Contrasting to her current situation, she grows and learns to not settle her emotions through physical means. She does unfortunately snap when Francis insults her. “Francis looked at me carefully, concluded that I had been sufficiently subdued, and crooned softly, ‘N****r-lover…” (Lee, 112) The fury clouds her mind and proceeds to harm Francis profusely, where she receives consequences from Uncle Jack. Even so, growth is shown in the situation when Scout requests, “Promise you won’t tell Atticus about this. He-he asked me one time not to let anything I heard about him make me mad, an’ I’d ruther him
After Scout fights with Cecil Jacobs at her school for calling Atticus a ‘nigger-lover’, she is told by her father to “ just hold your head high and keep those fists down.” (Lee, 76) Atticus is expressing that one should not let others get to them and stand up for themselves. She takes up the courage to do so the next time she is yelled at by the boy, although with much difficulty. Through this account, Scout’s willingness to learn and grow is portrayed. Also, Scout is able to stand by her morals when she confronts the mob with Jem and Dill. She demonstrates this by kicking the man who harmed Jem and eventually repressing the mob to leave the county jail, in order to protect her brother and Atticus. The ultimate fear Scout conquers was her unease of ‘Boo’ or Arthur Radley. In the beginning, she identifies Arthur as a mysterious and frightening person who lives on the other side of the street. After Arthur saves Scout and Jem from Bob Ewell’s attack, she realizes that Arthur wasn’t so frightening anymore and learns to embrace her fear. She does so by walking Arthur home and when she stands on his porch for the second time, not with fear, but with understanding. Scout was able to progress as an individual, stand up for her beliefs, and embrace her fears throughout the
Scout Finch is an unusual little girl. She’s overall intelligent, confident, and thoughtful. Scout Finch is strongly affected by the social force of gender, scouts appearance is irregular and her style does not follow the typical expectations of a girl in the 1930’s. Scout Finch is identified as a tomboy. She has short hair with bangs and chooses to dress in overalls instead of the stereotypical dresses.
Scout’s personality begins as coarse; she wants to control with her fists and is easily provoked. However, through her interactions with those in her community, her personality becomes more refined. One example of her lack of self-control is shown when she gets into a fight with her cousin Francis. In her rage, she decided to take out her anger on him, “‘He is not!’ I roared. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking’ about, but you better cut it out this red hot minute!’I leaped off the steps and
Scout’s maturation and non-judgmental attitude that develops throughout To Kill a Mockingbird help her mature into an individual with integrity. Contrary to the beginning of the novel, Scout establishes herself as a wise character in the latter portions of the book. After an incredulous Atticus is told that Jem did not kill Mr. Ewell, Scout reassures Atticus by saying, “Well it’d sort of be like shootin’ a mockingbird, wouldn’t it?” (Lee 276) Taking Atticus’ advice into consideration, Scout climbs into Boo Radley’s skin and finally respects Boo’s decision to remain indoors and not be proclaimed a hero. Additionally, Scout matures into a very open-minded
Scout rigorously was able to progress and mature, as well as adapt to new situations, visually changing her morals and outlook on her life. Scouts moral growth took off at the very beginning of the novel, early on during her issues at school with her teacher, Miss.Caroline. Scout professes her concern to Atticus on her learning, and her personal belief regarding Miss.Caroline's lack of teaching things of those similar to what Scout was learning at home. Scout felt although she was progressing more educationally at home when reading and writing with Atticus. After Scout talked to Atticus she truly realized Miss.Caroline’s point of view. In the text Atticus handled the situation with Scout by saying, “you never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view….until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” (Lee 39) Scout definitely was able to gain new insight from this experience and from talking with Atticus. Atticus was as well able to accommodate Scout in learning these new skills. Scout additionally accomplished moral growth in her experience bothering Boo Radley. Scout and her rather childish ways began back at the beginning of the book when Scout took interest in Boo Radley and his life. Scout, being intrusive and invasive at the beginning, took concern in his life, which soon she quickly learned was not proper. Atticus provided the following saying to teach Scout the importance of developing and maturing from her preprosperous ways. “Furthermore had it never occurred to us that the civil way