Atticus Maturation

To Kill A Mockingbird, authored by Harper Lee, is an American novel of growth and maturation because it focuses on the character development of Scout as she comes to understand the world. This classic novel is set in a racially charged southern town during the Great Depression. The main character and narrator, a young girl named Scout, develops and changes from the conversations and actions that happen in the book. Scout’s direct maturation and learning of life lessons develops by witnessing the hypocrisy of her hometown Maycomb, Alabama, and her father, Atticus, being a major influence in her development. In To Kill a Mockingbird, the hypocrisy of the town is responsible for the maturation of Scout. The white people of Maycomb base their
opinions of Tom Robinson solely on his skin color. In the text it states, “I heard her say it’s time somebody taught ‘em a lesson, they were gettin way above themselves...how can you hate Hitler so bad an’ the turn around and be at the folks right here.” (Lee 247) In this quote, Scout is telling Jem about what Miss Gates said about blacks. In class, Miss Gates states that she wants rights for the Jews under the reign of Hitler, showing empathy for the Jews and acknowledging the discrimination that is taking place. However, after Tom Robinson, a black man, was accused of raping Mayella Ewell, Miss Gates wants to deny black people their rights. When Scout hears Miss Gates say this statement, she immediately realizes that what Hitler did to the Jews was wrong and the same thing is happening in her town to the blacks, facing discrimination based on skin color. Unfortunately, the majority of the white folks in Maycomb do not realize what they are doing is wrong yet. Hitler was denying the Jewish people rights and the whites are denying the black people without cause. In addition, the missionary circle held by Aunt Alexandra also shows hypocrisy of the town that helps with Scout’s maturation. Aunt Alexandra held the missionary circle after Tom Robinson was found guilty in the court. When Scout was in the missionary circle with Aunt Alexandra and the ladies from the church, they were talking about helping a tribe in Africa called, Mruna. At the same time they are talking about helping the black tribe, they are insulting their own black maids, which shows a huge amount of hypocrisy right in front of Scout. The hypocrisy shown in the missionary circle assists with Scout’s maturation. It is very sad to see that the people of the town somewhat know what they are doing is wrong but in other cases still do what is wrong mainly against the black people in Maycomb. Miss Gates and the hypocrisy of the missionary help with Scout’s maturation.
In addition to the dishonesty and pretense of Maycomb, which aids in Scout’s development, Atticus also has a powerful impact in Scout’s maturation that is prevalent throughout the novel.
Atticus is a white lawyer who lives in this racially prejudice town yet he is willing to stand up for a black man. A prime example of Atticus’ ability to help Scout mature is his advice and teaching Scout to not be judgmental of other people based on their appearance or actions. Atticus tells Scout, “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 30) This quote teaches Scout a life lesson that changes her personality throughout the rest of the novel because Atticus is telling her to not be judgemental differs her from everyone else in Maycomb. Nobody in Maycomb considers a black person’s point of view. Everyone else is willing to judge people solely based on their skin color. On the other hand, Scout does not judge people and is accepting of everyone. Another example of Atticus providing Scout advice that influences her development is his reference to killing mockingbirds. “Remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” That was the only time I ever heard Atticus say it was a sin to do something…” Miss Maudie responds to Scout by saying “Your father’s right….Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy….but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill
a mockingbird.” (Lee 90). Scott applies Atticus’ advice when Heck Tate decides to not tell the town that Boo Radley killed Bob Ewell. Scout completely agrees with Heck Tate in this situation and even says “it’s be sorta like shootin a mockingbird.” (Lee 276) Scout knowing the consequences of letting the town know that Boo Radley killed Bob Ewell shows her understanding of the real world and related maturity. These examples show that Atticus was a main source of Scout’s maturation and development throughout the novel.
Scout matures over the course of the novel due to the hypocrisy of the townspeople in Maycomb and the life lessons taught by her father, Atticus. Scout observes the hypocrisy of the town after many assume Tom Robinson is guilty of rape, without due process in court, only because of his skin color. Also Maycomb’s pretense and dishonesty was prevalent by Miss Gates’ comments in class and in the missionary circle. While the ladies from the church were discussing helping an African tribe, at the same time they were insulting their black maids. In addition, Atticus helps in Scout’s maturation with his demeanor and teaching of important life lessons. Scout applies the learned lessons in her everyday life which shows her growth and maturation. Scout has grown and matured and has become more aware of the world around her as she learns to tell the difference between what is right and wrong. Scout understands life better and is respectful of other people and their feelings. This is a result of growing up in Maycomb and Atticus’ influence.