Loss Of Innocence In To Kill A Mockingbird Essay

A loss of innocence is a recurring theme in Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird. In this novel a loss of innocence is conveyed through more than one character. Scout Finch is one, of few characters, to experience a loss of innocence. Her loss of innocence is prominent throughout the story and events that take place. The Radley game, getting racially shamed, the persecution of Tom Robinson, and getting attacked are a few events were the loosing of innocence is present. A loss of innocence is when someone gains the knowledge of what’s morally right or wrong; Realization that not everyone is kind hearted and that’s nothing is fair. At the beginning of the novel Arthur “Boo” Radley is introduced. Boo is mentally challenged and to the town he’s terrifying. “ he dined only on raw squirrel and any cats he could catch, that’s why his hands were bloodstained....There was a long jagged scar that ran
Scout, Jem, and Dill all attend the Tom’s trial at the courthouse. “A jury never looks at a defendant it has convicted, and when the jury came in, not one of them looked at Tom Robinson.” (211). Scout watched as Atticus stated facts that were bond to prove Tom innocent; as the jury steps out scout notices Tom is being tried guilty. Scout watched Jem cry as he realized that Atticus couldn’t fix this; Scout begins to realize that her dad can’t fix everything and gains the knowledge of what people are really like. “I peeked at Jem: his hands were white from gripping the balcony rail, and his shoulders jerked as if each "guilty" was a separate stab between them” (211). She watched Jem throughout the trial; Jem had no doubt that they were going to win. All of the facts point to Tom being innocent and Scout watches Tom be convicted for something he didn’t do. Scout didn’t entirely understand what went on, unlike Jem, but she understood enough to realize that people will do whatever is best for