As people grow in life, they mature and change. In the novel , To Kill a Mockingbird ,by Harper Lee, Scout, the main character, matures as the book continues. Slowly but surely, Scout learns to control her explosive temper, to refrain from fistfights, and to respect Calpurnia, their maid, and to really learn her value to the family. Scout simply changes because she matures, and she also changes because Atticus, her father, asks her to.
In the early chapters of the book, Scout picks fights at the slightest provocation. One example of this is when Scout beats up Walter Cunningham, one of her classmates, for "not having his lunch", which isn't a very good reason at all. "Catching Walter Cunningham in the schoolyard gave me some
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She likes Jem better'n she likes me, anyway,' I concluded, and suggested that Atticus lose no time in packing her off. .. Have you ever considered that Jem doesn't worry her half as much?' Atticus's voice was flinty. I've no intention of getting rid of her, now or ever'" (27-30).
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
Her determination allows her to continue to swear, which is not fitting for the kind of woman that society expects. In addition, she continues to participate in similar activities that involve Jem and Dill. She is also able to avoid acting like a lady in front of Dill, who she aspires to marry, in the future. She is unwilling to change her decision to become ladylike. Also, even though he father reminds her to use her head instead of her fist, she still reckons to fight against her family instead of publicly. This shows us that she is willing to continue to fight, if it concerns her father and anything that holds great value to her. Scout does not let go of her ability to fight, even though, she knows it is not the right choice for a lady, and she keeps her head held high like her brother, like a man. In all, Scout’s determination aids her in resisting the attempts that society inflicts upon her towards becoming a befitting
A mother of a gay student that faced bullying stated in an article, that anyone who has “‘’hate in their hearts’” should accept people with differences because they are “‘going to be who they are’” (James, Boy Assaults Gay Student as Cellphone Captures Attack). In a perfect society, everyone would accept each other and not judge others based on appearance or social status. However, today many people still face the problem of acceptance. Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, illustrates how others can learn to be accepting from the characters in the novel. Scout leaves her naïve childhood behind and changes to into an accepting young adult through
As a child, Scout experienced injustice. Since she was just a child, it was very easy for others to treat her unjustly. Her classmates, Mrs. Caroline, and Mr. Ewell criticized and harmed her for unjust reasons. Cecil Jacobs, one of Scout 's classmates, said, “Scout Finch 's daddy defended niggers.” (Lee 99). Cecil insulted Scout, making her upset. Scout wanted to start a fight, but was stopped by her brother, Jem Finch. Even as a child,
Maturity is not a quality you see everyday from children. Most of the time children are running around playing with friends and family, asking silly questions, and even fulfilling their imaginations. This is the case for Scout and Jem too, initially at least. Scout is the son of Atticus Finch, a lawyer in Maycomb, Alabama. Scout’s brother is Jem and they have a fairly close relationship. In the book, To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee Scout and Jem endure and encounter many life-changing events that cause them to mature, from experiencing racism and almost being killed to witnessing their father defend a black man accused of rape in the South during the early to mid 1900s. The theme of maturation significantly applies to the novel as Scout
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.
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 in To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee is a novel set in the United States during the 1930's. This novel deals with the hardships of growing up, among other important themes. Scout, the main character in the book, underwent many challenges during her early life that resulted in her maturing at a young age. Scout learned the meaning of racism, courage, and tolerance (comprehension).
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
In chapters nine and ten, Scout is teased by the kids in school because her dad is defending a black man. Preventing her from fighting, Atticus tells her to keep her head up high. When Christmas comes along, all the Finches gather at aunt Alexandra's. During the visit, Scout is stuck playing with her boring cousin Francis. Francis eventually rattles her by calling her daddy a "nigger-lover." This caused Scout to punch Francis' teeth. Unfortunatley, Scout got in trouble and went home with Atticus and Jem. Later that night, Scout told her side of the story to Uncle Jack and resolved everything. The next day, Jem and Scout fuss about how their dad isn't as fascinating as the other dads in town, but when Atticus saves the neighborhhood from the "mad dog", they change their perspective.
Jem had changed throughout the story from acting like a child and doing things that children do to becoming more mature and taking part in the
One way Scout Finch, the younger daughter of Atticus Finch, matures is because of a specific conversation the two have about fighting. In the beginning of the book, Scout is angered on the first day of school when she gets into trouble with the teacher. She then beats up a classmate, Walter Cunningham, because she blames him for the mess. Later, the girl also engages in a
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 Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, Scout is displayed throughout the novel as the main protagonist. As time develops, she becomes more of a dynamic character that experiences change and grows from her experiences. Scout is a character that changes and demonstrates it in many instances in the story.
Since Jem enjoys doing "manly" things, Scout does them as well for she does not know any better and she wants to gain Jem's respect for her. As time goes by, Jem starts to mature himself, from an irresponsible boy to a sensitive, gentlemen, Mister Jem; he is always Scout's adored older brother. As Scout gets older, her Aunt Alexandra decides to try and get Scout to act more like the Jean Louise that she wants her be. The only time that Aunt Alexandra was around for a long period of time was during the trial when she came to live with the Finches when Atticus was the lawyer for Tom. Even though she disagrees with her brother, Atticus, with his way of raising his children, especially Scout, who should be taught to be a lady believes that in time, she will "come around"
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.