Character Analysis Of Jem In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee
Growing up and maturing happens to all people. However, sometimes the coming of age is more noticeable in some than it is in others. This is the case in Harper Lee’s character of Jem in the book “To Kill a Mockingbird”. All characters display their growth and have come to terms with themselves. Still there is one character who exhibits maturity more than anyone else. In “To Kill a Mockingbird” Harper Lee, uses the character of Jeremy Finch to portray the motif of his “being a gentleman” and the events in Tom Robinson's trial to show the moral development of his Bildungsroman.
Jem entered his Bildungsroman when he proclaimed he wanted to be like Atticus. He also states that he is committed to act and talk like a gentleman. This realization
changed Jem in a huge way. Before this decision, Jem would read sports magazines, discriminated against and acted above others. Once Jem sees himself as a man like his father, he grows up. He starts reading the newspaper instead of sports magazines. As he learning to act and talk like an adult he begins to believe in the equality of all people. Along with this Bildungsroman, Jem realizes the hardships and prejudices good men, like Atticus, face in the town of Maycomb. Without this realization, Jem would never have known what was in store for Atticus unless he gone to the jail and confronted the mob. Being involved in this frightening event Jem learns he must think before he acts instead of running foolishly without a second thought.
Jem continues his moral development when he tells Scout to stop killing bugs. He tells her they didn't do anything to her and if Atticus is against violence then so is he. This is an example that Jem hope to be more like Atticus.
Even though Jem’s Bildungsroman is evident throughout the book one main event caused him to come to terms with himself. It was the trial of Tom Robinson that ultimately set Jem down his path of maturity. The trial impacted Jem in many different ways. It showed the hatred and anger of Maycomb and seeing this prejudice Jem began to understand his father. When the trial labeled Atticus as a lover of "n******” Jem had to learned punches are not the only way to fight back. Keeping your head high and being polite is more effective than any type of physical contact. Jem had to learn how to control his anger through trial and error. He learned the key to becoming a better man is to lay down arms and use other means to fight back. A gun makes no hero.
As Jem matures he fully grasped that racism and segregation that divides the people of Maycomb. Jem understands courage is continuing to work hard even if the situation seems impossible. As a result of the trial, Jem becomes wiser and more in tune with his beliefs.
With the motif of “being a gentleman” and the theme of Tom’s trial Jem’s morals and bildungsroman are shown. Without Jem’s decision to become like his father; the book would have been entirely different. Jem had to struggle to find who he was as a whole person. Jem’s growth affects and shapes the book “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
Jem entered his Bildungsroman when he proclaimed he wanted to be like Atticus. He also states that he is committed to act and talk like a gentleman. This realization
changed Jem in a huge way. Before this decision, Jem would read sports magazines, discriminated against and acted above others. Once Jem sees himself as a man like his father, he grows up. He starts reading the newspaper instead of sports magazines. As he learning to act and talk like an adult he begins to believe in the equality of all people. Along with this Bildungsroman, Jem realizes the hardships and prejudices good men, like Atticus, face in the town of Maycomb. Without this realization, Jem would never have known what was in store for Atticus unless he gone to the jail and confronted the mob. Being involved in this frightening event Jem learns he must think before he acts instead of running foolishly without a second thought.
Jem continues his moral development when he tells Scout to stop killing bugs. He tells her they didn't do anything to her and if Atticus is against violence then so is he. This is an example that Jem hope to be more like Atticus.
Even though Jem’s Bildungsroman is evident throughout the book one main event caused him to come to terms with himself. It was the trial of Tom Robinson that ultimately set Jem down his path of maturity. The trial impacted Jem in many different ways. It showed the hatred and anger of Maycomb and seeing this prejudice Jem began to understand his father. When the trial labeled Atticus as a lover of "n******” Jem had to learned punches are not the only way to fight back. Keeping your head high and being polite is more effective than any type of physical contact. Jem had to learn how to control his anger through trial and error. He learned the key to becoming a better man is to lay down arms and use other means to fight back. A gun makes no hero.
As Jem matures he fully grasped that racism and segregation that divides the people of Maycomb. Jem understands courage is continuing to work hard even if the situation seems impossible. As a result of the trial, Jem becomes wiser and more in tune with his beliefs.
With the motif of “being a gentleman” and the theme of Tom’s trial Jem’s morals and bildungsroman are shown. Without Jem’s decision to become like his father; the book would have been entirely different. Jem had to struggle to find who he was as a whole person. Jem’s growth affects and shapes the book “To Kill a Mockingbird.”