Essay On Scout's Life

Knowledge determines a victor in every conflict. Even in a losing effort, if something is learned then a conflict can become positive. Only when defeat is ignored can one walk away a lesser person. Scout and Jem conflict the entire novel, usually because of their contrasting stages in life. "Jem was careful to explain that during school hours I was not to bother him,..., in short I was to leave him alone" (Lee 16). Scout doesn't understand why at one point in the day Jem wants to play with her and at the other he will have nothing to do with her. She accepts the situation, and eventually, when she reaches Jem's stage in life, she understands it. Lulu argues with Calpurnia quite frequently, because she is trying desperately to prove to herself
Dill runs from his family in search of happiness and Alexandra runs from happiness to support her status. In this case a child is right, because he is not yet influenced by stereotypes and predilections. Dill is much less experienced, but Alexandra has been negatively influenced on some of the most important aspects of life. For Dill, naiveté became an asset. Finally, Bob Ewell starts controversy whenever possible if it involves his being superior to a Negro. Atticus once said, "There's nothing more sickening to me than a low-grade white man who'll take advantage of a Negro's ignorance" (Lee 221). Scout remembers and tries to live by just about everything her father says. Luckily for her, he is a very positive role model, and she is able to learn from him and his past. Scout is a better person having been involved in conflict (whether it be her own or the conflict of one of her role models). "She's coming along though, Jem's getting older and she follows his example a good bit now" (Lee 88). Aunt Alexandra and Bob Ewell let their prejudices get in the way of their advancements, and, hence, they are worse off than