How To Kill A Mockingbird

How To Kill A Mockingbird
I believe that my essay will teach you about courage through How to Kill a Mockingbird. The characters I will be using are Scout, Atticus, and Jem.
The title of the book is How to Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The setting is in Maycomb Alabama during the Great Depression. Our main
characters are Scout Finch, Jem Finch, and Dill Harris and the book is about their adventure through Maycomb as they grow up and learn many things
from being strong to being a gentleman/lady. I will show the main thing each of these characters show and develop which is..... Wait for it...... courage.
Each one of these characters throughout the book. Each character either has it, like Atticus, or develop it throughout the book, like Scout and Jem.
First, Scout...show more content...
Jem shows tons of courage. A good example is when he went into the Radley place. I know I used this for Scout but this evidence also works for
Jem. He, on top of that, heard all the rumors of Boo Radley and he also snuck into the house yard, trying to see Boo. He was also shot at and Boo's
brother even said to the community that he would shoot the next person who would go back. Jem then went back to the radley's to get his jeans.
That is very courageous. Jem also snuck out at night to follow Atticus out. He was very curious were his father was going. He even followed Scout
out into the mob. He then went to Mrs. Dubose house to read to her everyday. He was forced by his father but he went in there with courage. He was
very stern with Mrs. Dubose when she was a very mean lady with a very bad temper. Her is a quote from the section. " My sister ain't dirty and I ain't
scared of you" lee pg
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To Kill A Mockingbird Essay Examples
During your confrontations with Scout in Maycomb, you bring up the various points about Scout's actions and how they are not pleasing to you, such
as being friends with Walter Cunningham, and wearing breeches and overalls. During all of this, you bring up the problematic assumption of how she
should dress and behave because of the gender roles which surround society. You first make this assumption when you are with Scout during christmas,
when you said that Scout could never hope to be a lady because she wears breeches. This caused Scout to be more volatile, which led to Scout fighting
Francis. Another time when you make this assumption is when you talk to Scout about Walter. You assume that Scout will pick up Walters bad habits
which will ruin the Finch family name. This led to Scout resenting you even more than before. The last time you made the assumption is when Atticus
talks to Scout and Jem about acting better because the Finches were created from generations of breeding. This led to Scout again resenting you, and
even taking some of it out on Jem through fighting. The assumptions you make are caused by the fact that Scout doesn't truly...show more content...
Scout is impacted in both a positive way and a negative way. She becomes more violent against Jem, Cecil, and You. But later on, Scout wore a dress
during the missionary meeting, which means she would like to be more lady like. Your assumptions not only impact Scout, but also impact others
such as Francis. He overheard you confronting Scout about wearing breeches, and he used that plus name calling to spark Scouts fuse, and cause a
fight. Atticus is also impacted by your assumptions when he has to make compromises to let you stay in their house. Because of the impacts on others
and the conflicts it has caused, the assumptions on gender roles which you make are hurtful and wrong, and impact people more than you can see. I
hope you'll take this under

To Kill A Mockingbird Reflection Essay
In the book, To Kill a Mockingbird, it talks about the racism and discrimination against blacks in the 1900's in Alabama. It is narrated from the
perspective of the author Harper Lee herself and is based on memories of her own life. The main character Scout, has an older brother named Jem,
who is not as childish as Scout so he is a little more mature. At the beginning of the book, Jem's level of maturity is not fully developed; nowhere
near close at that. But, towards the end of the book, he seems to be able to understand and relate that the world could be a cruel and unfair place. At
the beginning of the book, Jem truly has no idea of what is going on in the town of Maycomb. He is completely ignorant of his surroundings and is very
...show more content...
This shows that Jem is attempting to comprehend everything that's happening around him like the case with Tom Robinson and the scary
assumption's he has about Boo Radley or Arthur Radley. In addition to these changes in Jem's personality, he also shows that he has completely
broken away from his childish ways and wants to understand everything he sees happening in his life with the racism towards blacks and the lies
he has in his mind about Arthur Radley. Scout precisely says "Then he rose and broke the remaining code of our childhood"(141). This is
undoubtedly displaying the courageous step Jem is taking towards his manhood and truly understanding that there's certainly a deeper message than
what there seems to be, but he still does not fathom what is going on in his life and all the inequality there is in the world; specifically in Maycomb.
Soon after he starts to grasp all this information and tries to process it through his head, he begins to have feelings towards the unfair treatment of
others around him. At first, he did not know much about what was happening to Tom Robinson or what he was being accused of, but he soon
recognizes that what they're doing to him is absolutely inhumane and unacceptable. Jem shows complete sympathy for Robinson after the case was
closed and was declared guilty. Scout describes in detail how emotionally destroyed Jem was after the case when she reveals "His

Personal Narrative : To Kill A Mockingbird
To Kill A Mockingbird Narrative
Has anything ever happened in your life that changed you as a person? Jem, a character in To Kill A Mockingbird, breaks his arm and it helps shape
him into the person he ended up being because it was a major event in his life. He was changed by this event because it was a major event, Bob was
going to kill him so how he overcomes it will show the type of person he is. Major things that happen in your life help shape who you are today.
One important thing in my life is when I tore my ACL the first time in eighth grade basketball. It was November 15, 2015, when I first tore my
ACL. I was at basketball practice and we were doing a rebounding drill. I jumped up to rebound the ball, because I can hardly jump I landed before
most of the other players and Charlie, one of my teammates, came down on my knee. I heard my knee pop. My knee caved in and I fell, feeling
excruciating pain as I fell to the ground I just saw the ground moving closer and closer. As I fell to the ground I felt my body hit the hard gym floor.
All that went through my head was "That hurt really bad!!!!" I was really sweaty, I could smell the sweat from the bodies, and I was tired from
previous things we had done in practice but I just sat there screaming and balling. I started screaming and balling because my knee hurt so badly. I
could taste the saliva from my mouth while I was lying there balling. One of the other players went into the locker room and grabbed my phone, I
called my dad but he couldn't make out anything I was saying because I was still crying. My coach, Ms. Bolton, carried me to the bench while my
dad was on his way. My dad carried me out to the truck then inside to the couch when we got home. Brock, my brother, went and picked up some
crutches for me. I ended up going to the doctor about a week later and then on January 4, 2016, I had my first surgery. Coming out of surgery and
waking up in recovery was the worst pain I've EVER felt. I came out of recovery and was screaming in pain because they didn't keep track of when I
had last had morphine so I wasn't on track and I felt my whole leg right after surgery. Tearing my ACL was important because it made me who I am
today and made me stronger by

To Kill A Mocking Bird Thesis
In Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird we see an innocent man get locked away because of the color of his skin. We, the audience, see an innocent
man be targeted because he was black. These horrific scenes could be chalked up to history, we could always say that as a nation America has learned
from its mistakes, that as a nation we accept everyone so fully. If this was true, if To Kill a Mockingbird was just a story then I, as a Muslim American
teenager, wouldn't be so afraid to live in this world. In today's world being a Muslim woman might be the biggest offence you can commit, simply
because of what that means. I wear the hijab everyday of my life, and for some reason, my scarf means that everyone else is allowed to share their
hate so

To Kill A Mockingbird 5 Paragraph Essay
Introductory Paragraph Throughout most novels, characters encounter obstacles or events that once faced change their lives for the better or worse. In
this book, that obstacle is racism. This is evident in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird when ... ____________________. Due to...
____________________. In Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, Dolphus Raymond, Tom Robinson and Bob Ewell each encounterracism in different
ways; however, they all suffer as a result.
Body Paragraph #1 Dolphus Raymond is one of the many victims of racism in Maycomb, as he is forced to live a life of false impressions. After
Mr.Raymond let Dill take a sip of his drink, he discreetly said, "...if I weave a little and drink out of this sack, folks can say Dolphus Raymond's in
the clutches of whiskey..."(Lee, 200). Mr. Raymond is letting the people of Maycomb inaccurately believe he is a drunk to give them a reason to
tolerate his decision to be in a relationship with an African American woman. Dill identifies Mr.Raymond in the crowd of colored people drinking out
of his sack then commented, "'Why's he sitting with the colored folks?' [Jem then replies]...show more content...
When Scout arrives home from school to explain to Atticus what her classmates have been calling him he stated that "I'm simply defending a
negro...but there's been some high talk around town to the effect that I shouldn't be defending this man." (Lee. 75). Entirely based on the fact that Tom
is black he is seen as less than therefore does not deserve the justice services offered to the white community. During Aunt Alexandra's get together,
Atticus pulls her and Calpurnia aside and tells them the bad news. "Tom's dead...they shot him. He was running. It was during their exercise period.
They said he just broke into a blind raving charge at the fence and started climbing over. Right in front of them."

How To Kill A Mockingbird Movie Essay
How to kill a mockingbird by Robert Mulligan. This move is about Two kids learning the way of life and seeing how things can be for some people.
I think it showed them in different positions and showed their strengths and weakness. The title of the movie can be tricking because it never really
talks about killing a bird, but it talks about it at the end kinda. Overall the movie was really good and I would want to read the book.
This movie took place in maycomb country alabama in 1930s. I have know Idea were`this is because I have never been to alabama, but by the looks of
the movie it is a really nice place. I wonder if it was just a set or if it was really a town. Alabama is a cool place with lots of older towns and desert like
places.

To Kill A Mockingbird The American Dream Analysis
The American Dream is a concept that has been instilled in the minds of citizens for much of America's history. The Dream is the idea that everyone is
equal and that anyone can start with nothing and become successful through hard work and perseverance. Unfortunately, due to prejudices and
discrimination, the American Dream has not been attainable for all races and ethnicities that have immigrated to this country in search of a better life.
Instead, it has been quite the opposite: no matter how much hard work and perseverance one puts forth, he/she is always beaten down by those in a
higher social class. Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird explores the concept of the failing American Dream by examining discrimination, prejudice,
and social hierarchy in 1930's Maycomb, Alabama. The American Dream is tarnished by discrimination for many characters inTo Kill a Mockingbird.
To begin, Tom Robinson faces injustices simply because he is anAfrican American. For example, though Atticus clearly proves Tom's innocence
during the trial, Tom is still found 'guilty' by the jury. This ruling only occurred because of Maycomb's unwillingness to accept equality for all. What's
more, this case reveals the failure of the American Dream for Tom and his wife, Helen. As illustrated in the text, though Tom willingly aided Mayella
Ewell because of her inadequate living situation...show more content...
Harper Lee highlighted America's discrimination, prejudices, and social hierarchal issues and created To Kill a Mockingbird, a semi–biographical
novel. Even though the novel is set in the fictitious town of Maycomb, Alabama, it addresses some very real issues that are, unfortunately, still present
in modern society. America has made many positive strides since 1930 to ensure equality and freedom for all, making the Dream more attainable for
citizens, but we still have more improvements to make before the Dream is available to

To Kill A Mockingbird Analysis Essay
To Kill A Mockingbird Analysis
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, Harper Lee articulates coming of age in a town struck by racism. Scout begins the novel as a six year old girl who
does not fully recognise how skewed her world is until she is nine and sees what it really means to kill a mockingbird due to the actions of a shy
Arthur Radley. In the passage Jem and Scout are attacked by Bob Ewell; the father of supposed rape victim Mayella Ewell, in response to Jem and
Scout's father Atticus embarrassing Bob during the trial of Tom Robinson. However, Arthur Radley comes out to save them, inevitably killing Bob.
This means he will have to go through the burdensome court process, but the county sheriff, Heck Tate wants to change that and Scout needs to
understands why. Furthermore Scout realizes what it's like to be Arthur Radley, always watching. Within the final two chapters,To Kill A Mockingbird
conveys the theme that there's good and evil in coming of age throughout the book by utilizing symbolism, conflict, and character. First and foremost,
prolific throughout the story is the mockingbird's representation as a medium. Tom Robinson was convicted of raping Mayella Ewell by only the
word of a racist drunk and his daughter despite the evidence arguing against being strong. Tom Robinson is representational of the mockingbird
because he does chores for Mayella like fixing her house up out of kindness. But when Mayella was confronted by her abusive father as to why a black
man

To Kill A Mockingbird Main Idea
The main idea of the book "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, is about how Scout is going to learn about evil forces in her life like racism and
inequality. Scout is a 6–year–old girl, who is an extremely smart for her age and is quite curious, has a brother named Jem, who is in the fifth grade,
her father, Atticus, who is a lawyer, and her mother, who died when she was two years old, so she doesn't have her in her life. While living in the
town of Maycomb, she is learning about the inequality towards women and all the racism that is in this town too. This main idea is shown several
times in the first chapter, when it gives us an example of how the town's people are racist. According to the book, "The sheriff hadn't the heart to put
him in jail among the Negroes, so Boo was locked in the courthouse basement.(Lee 11). Even though Boo did something mentally unstable, he didn't
receive the same punishment by the reason of being white, while if a person with a different colored skin did that they would receive jail time. In
chapter four, Jem, Scout's brother, said, "I swear, Scout, sometimes you act so much like a girl it's mortifyin'"(Lee 38). At first, you believe that this is
rude, but then if you actually think about what he has just...show more content...
Harper Lee puts this main idea in the book to inform people of the hardships women and African–Americans faced during these depressing times. By
putting this in she is showing us how the people here think, they believe that whites shouldn't receive as worse of a punishment as African–Americans
and being a woman is an insult. Even the children are raised with these ideas of inequality, it doesn't seem wrong to the kids, for it is just part of life
and being a woman is worse than being a man. Harper Lee is showing us something that we may never honestly thought of, but it is absolutely a major
part in everyday life that started years

To Kill A Mockingbird Character Analysis Essay
Drama, deception, doubt, and death lace the pages of To Kill a Mockingbird, created masterfully by Harper Lee. From a rousing court case to a
reclusive neighbor, challenging situations wait at every turn. How individuals handle these circumstances depends on their qualities. Lee portrays many
diverse characters in this novel. While some become uncertain and crumble under the pressure of tough situations, others force themselves
unfalteringly through. Some measure up, but others fall short. Although many characters presented in To Kill a Mockingbird display notable qualities,
the steadiness of Atticus, Miss Maudie, and Reverend Syke shines through.
Atticus demonstrates noticeable equanimity throughout To Kill a Mockingbird. When tough...show more content...
However, even then she declared: "Always wanted a smaller house...Gives me more yard...Why, I hated that old cow barn. Thought of setting fire to
it a hundred times myself..." (73). Instead of appearing devastated, she acted genuinely glad; however, it surely posed a challenge to grow
accustomed to living with someone else, requiring considerable emotional stability. In addition, another demonstration of her dependability arises in
chapter 24 when Miss Stephanie Crawford instigates quizzing Scout about if she plans to become a lawyer; however, with a touch from Miss
Maudie, Scout responds that she simply desires to become a lady. Miss Stephanie replies that Scout must begin wearing dresses more often if she
plans on that; "Miss Maudie's hand closed tightly on mine, and I said nothing" (230). The gentle equanimity of Miss Maudie helps Scout remain
composed, as well as herself when struggles arise.
Reverend Syke exists as a third person who exhibits evident steadiness. Amid a crisis, he remains reliable without stumbling. For example, in chapter
twelve when Calpurnia ushers Jem and Scout with her to church, Reverend Syke preaches passionately, greets them graciously, and kindly collects
money for Tom's family, although the case concerning Tom Robinson weighs heavily on his mind (121
–123). However, he pushes on, steady in his
faith and his focus, rather than allowing the circumstances to rule his behavior. Another display of

How To Kill A Mockingbird Essay
Eagle Scout Award I grew up in a home where my parents taught us to serve our country, community and those around us. They taught me through
example, my father was a scout leader when I was a child. He often took me camping and to merit badge Pow Wow's. As a boy I began to dream
about becoming a boy scout. When I became old enough I joined the cub scouts. While in Cub scouts I learned about being part of the pack, about
working together to accomplish large projects, to work together to accomplish a larger goal. Then when I was older I was able to join the boy
scouts they taught me about being a citizen in the community, about being a good neighbor. They taught me about doing a good turn daily, and
being prepared. When I was 13, I became a life scout. Being a life scout is not anything special, other than I was able to start working on my eagle
project. While growing up my family loved to go to Lake Powell. Lake Powell has thousands of people that visit it yearly. They had a trash problem, to
combat the trash problem the national...show more content...
A new lake, one that was in all respects mini Lake Powell. With Red Sand Stone cliffs, and beautiful red sand beaches this new lake had all of the
qualities of Lake Powell. In Addition to the lake there are massive sand dunes that attracted 4–wheelers, Jeepers, Campers, and Hikers. In short all kinds
of people were flocking to the New Park that was closer to St George than the 2.5 Hour Drive to the much Larger Lake Powell. Quickly a few
problems surfaced, the largest of which was trash. People would bring sack lunches or dinners to the lake and enjoy them on the sandy beach, but
when it came time to leave the sac they brought it in broke and they would often leave the trash on the beach. The Park struggled to manage the
problem, Paid Staff and Volunteers where brought in multiple times a week to try to clean the beaches. This is where my Eagle Project came

To Kill A Mockingbird Essay Introduction
To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel by Harper Lee. It takes place in the southern, racist town of Maycomb. The book takes place in the 1920's and
follows the events of a girl named Scout. Lee really puts you in the pages of this amazing novel. She using events that happened in her life and adapts
them to her characters. In this novel you can see racism and how bad it really was in very southern times. Through the book you can see the horrible
horrors of racism.
The book follows the events of Scout, a young adventurous girl, who is very outspoken and funny. She has a brother named Jem who is a very
wise character and likes to take dares. During the summer a boy named Dill comes every summer. He likes to tell "stories" and how he is very
mature for doing adult things. He is the character that is most immune to racism, because he did not grow up in a racist town like Maycomb. His
character represents innocence. Jem and Scouts father's name is Atticus. He is a retired attorney who takes a very daring challenge. In school Scout
gets into an...show more content...
We see Scout and numerous other children drop little racist sayings. In the novel Scout constantly uses the n–word to refer to black people as
individuals. She says to Atticus that "Calpurnia says that's n–word talk". The way she uses the word lightly and constantly in the book shows that
beneath her appearance she is a racist. It's not her fault, it's the towns. The town's racist so it rubs off on the children. I think of racism has a filthy,
disgusting disease that is started with older generations and works its way into the minds of younger generations. It's a disease that keeps going in an
infinite loop. Bob Ewell blamed a black man for something he didn't do because of his race. Tom did not rape his daughter and is being blamed for it
because of race. The children that are trapped in this racist town are stuck and cannot escape the disease of dehumanizing and

To Kill A Mockingbird: A Narrative Essay
When I had gotten to go get my pants when I snuck in the Radley house, I was really shocked to see my pants mended together and was neatly
hanging over the fence. I thought this over for the past week. Staying silent and a little moody I guess trying figure out how that was possible. I
later decided to tell Scout about it. She had reassured me a little bit. Later in the fall when school started again, Scout and me would find presents
in the knothole of a tree. It all started when we saw some gray twine in it. We had waited a couple of days, but it was still there so we took it. We
would then see other present in the knothole too. There was two figures carved in soap, an old pocket watch, a medal, and even some chewing
gum. Then one day we found the knothole filled with cement. I asked why Mr. Radley filled the tree with cement and he said that the tree was
dying. I ask Atticus this to see if it was true and he said that the tree was healthy. This had made me deeply sad and curious that I had even cried a
little while I was sitting on the front porch. Jem For the first time since 1885, Maycomb had a winter. I could believe my eyes as I saw the white
flakes fall down on the ground. It was so cold that they cancelled school. Jem and me decided to make a snowman, but there wasn't enough snow so
we used some of Miss Maudie's and her dirt too. Soon...show more content...
As we were watching everyone putting out the fire, Atticus had told us to stand around the Radley house. It was so freezing that Jem and me were
hugging each other really tight to keep warm. Scout had said the house looked like a pumpkin which it did. When the fire was over and we went
inside, Atticus noticed that Scout was covered in a blanket. I realized that Boo did this and I had told Atticus everything that happened like the
knothole and the sewed pants. Atticus just told us to keep it to ourselves and that someday Scout could thank him if she want

To Kill A Mockingbird Persuasive Essay
My name is Samantha and I am a high school Freshman in the Bay Area. Recently in English class, we have finished the classic book To Kill A
Mockingbird by Harper Lee. In the book, we looked at the symbolism and how it relates to modern issues. I quickly noticed that the book not only
show the court system in the 1960s but also the court system standing today. By having a colored man convicted of a crime he did not relates to
today's issue of the colored community getting harsher and longer sentences. You are one of the people with the most power in this country so I am
asking for you to put an end to the racial profiling that goes on in this country by having the jury and judge not see the defendant during hearings.
In the Book To Kill A...show more content...
This happened in a book written fifty–five plus years ago. The amount of growth that has happened is unacceptable in today's fast–growing society.
This is why it is important to attack this issue head–on by making changes in today's modern courtrooms.
As a member of the youth in the United States, I am concerned about the future. It has been 150 plus years since the civil war ended and we are still
dealing with the same issue, unequal rights. Just like in To Kill A Mockingbird, which was written in the 1950s, children are growing up
segregated and bullied for believing in equal rights. Do you as the current president of the United States of America believe in a broken, prejudice
court system with a broken society that has riots and bloody protests about these unequal rights. Or do you believe that an end to putting needs to be
put to this chaos by not allowing the future of America to grow up in a prejudiced community? With all these people getting longer sentences in jail
or prisons it has cost all lot of tax money. An estimated 39 billion dollars a year. With inmates costing about 39.1 thousand to 60 thousand a year.
Imagine if you were able to cut this cost and send more money back into the economy by having courtroom hearings where the jury and judge could
not see the defendant. A tax reform will not be needed because the citizens of the United States have more

To Kill a Mockingbird Essay
To Kill A Mockingbird Essay In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird a major theme is the loss of innocence. Whether from emotional abuse, racial
prejudice or learning, Boo, Tom, and Scout all lose their innocence in one sense or another. The prejudice that each character endures leads to their
loss. Through the responses of Boo, Tom, and Scout, Harper Lee shows how each character responded differently to their loss of innocence. In the novel
To Kill A Mockingbirdthe character of Boo Radley is the first to suffer the loss of his innocence. As a teen, Boo experienced trouble with the law and
for his consequences his father imprisoned him in his own house. Because of the harsh consequences forced upon him by his father, Boo grew up
without a...show more content...
With the racial tension so high during this time period, Tom's innocence was lost before he could even defend himself. This was shown through
Atticus's reply to Scout's question of, "Will we win?" Atticus answered no because the case was lost before it began. Tom Robinson's response to
his loss of innocence was to simply run away from the problem that had befallen him. For his attempted escape Tom suffered the highest
consequence, "They shot him,' said Atticus. 'He was running. It was during their exercise period. They said he just broke into a blind raving charge
at the fence and started climbing over" (235). Due to Tom's decision on how to respond, he was killed even though he was placed in his position no
thanks to himself. Tom Robinson chose poorly when it came to his response towards his loss of innocence and it cost him his life. The main character
of the novel, Scout, was the only character that suffered a loss of innocence and responded in a way that did not ruin her life. During the novel Scout
gradually lost her innocence due to the fact of her ever–increasing knowledge of the world. Being the child that she was, Scout had a kind of blind faith
in her community that it was as good and as moral as she believed it to be, but she realized after the trial how wrong she was. Throughout the

To kill a mockingbird in a novel written by Harper Lee This novel is mostly covering the American racist society in the late 1950–60s. To Kill a
Mockingbird, reflects the state of our society in many ways. In our world and environment, very high percentage of people have racist thoughts about
black people. In many parts of the world black people are treated differently and unequally like other people and colours. Black people aren't given
their rights as human or citizens, some countries prohibit them from government jobs or even can't vote and let their voice be heard. Black people are
called in very common and offensive word. "Niggers" " not only a Finch waiting on tables but one in the courthouse lawing for niggers" p.135. In most
parts

Cause And Effect Of How To Kill A Mockingbird
Cause and Effect Essay
In today's society, politics, racism, poverty are some really big problems. In How to kill a mockingbird, racism was a big problem for them, however,
in lord of flies it was more of people separating themselves and not treating one another fairly.
Racism was a big issue in the town of maycomb. One big way racism represents itself is with Tom Robinson, a maycomb black man. He was
convicted of raping a young female. She had proclaimed that Tom had went into her house, raped her, and beat her. Her dad states he heard
screaming, ran to the house and tom was running away while his daughter was on the floor. Everyone believes her because well, he's black. No one
cared about his side of the story, except for Atticus. He

To Kill a Mocking Bird Essay example
Through the course of the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Jem encounters a series of events that cause him to grow up. During Tom
Robinson's trial, Jem's eyes were opened to the racism and prejudice of the South: loss of innocence, a major theme in the novel, is a realization of the
cruelty and injustice in the world, and that one must develop a tolerance for it. Jem is young and carefree in the beginning of the novel. He is just
starting to take on the responsibilities of an older brother: "Jem condescended to take me to school the first day, a job usually done by one's parents,
but Atticus said Jem would be delighted to show me where my room was." (p.20). Atticus is trusting Jem to safely get Scout to school, and help her
...show more content...
In addition, Jem abandons all of his childish morals: "Jem looked the floor. Then he rose and broke the remaining code of our childhood. He went out
of the room and down the hall. 'Atticus,' his voice was distant, 'can you come here a minute, sir?'" (p.187–188). Dill, Jem and Scout's best friend, ran
away from his home and came to the Finch's house. Jem has broken "the remaining code of our childhood" by telling Atticus about Dill, rather than
keeping it a secret. He has matured past his childhood years, and realizes that sometimes it is best to involve adults. Jem is exposed to the racism and
prejudice of the South through Tom Robinson's trial, and it makes him question what he never thought twice about before. [insert lead–in] "'...if the
jury's still out, you can wait with us. But I expect it'll be over before you get back.' 'You think they'll acquit him that fast?' asked Jem. Atticus opened
his mouth to answer, but shut it and then left us." (p.277) Jem sees Tom Robinson's trial through eyes untainted by prejudice anddiscrimination. To him,
Tom is obviously innocent. Atticus, on the other hand, is older and more cynical. He knows about racial discrimination, he knows it strongly influences
a person's judgement, and he knows Tom will be found guilty. Jem realizes this when Tom Robinson is convicted. As a result, he learns that racism can
cloud a person's judgement to the point that they will convict an innocent man. Jem's loss of innocence

How To Kill A Mockingbird

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