Mature In To Kill A Mockingbird
“‘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,’” a man once taught his daughter (39). It may sound simple, but many adults still struggle with the understanding of this basic element of maturity. People mature in different ways, but one thing is consistent with everyone: we all must mature at some point. This usually comes with age; it is learned from others, sometimes within ourselves. Scout Finch, from Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, matures as a result of developing empathy, seeing the perspectives of others, and acknowledging ambiguity. Over the course of the novel, Scout matures as a result of developing empathy, despite
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At first, she truly believes that laws are black and white, and you can never bend the law. This isn't the way the world works once one is exposed to such complex situations. Atticus needs to explain this to Scout when she thinks it is never acceptable to bend the law; she thinks everything is either right or wrong, black or white. He explains ambiguity by teaching Scout that "'sometimes it's better to bend the law a little in special cases'" (40). In certain situations, it is okay to bend the law, which Scout - in her immaturity - doesn't understand. Later in the novel, Scout understands that the world is not all black and white, but there are some grey areas. Bob Ewell is a racist man. He is the one who caused the death of the innocent negro, Tom Robinson. Later in the novel, Arthur Radley kills Bob Ewell in order to save Scout and her brother. Even though Bob was killed by Arthur, it was decided to say that Mr. Ewell fell on his knife. He killed an innocent man, so it was right to not get anyone else involved; everyone decided that Ewell fell on his knife. Even Scout. She says “‘Yes sir, I understand” (370). Scout acknowledges that there was a way for the law to be bent, because of this complex situation. It is extremely mature of her to understand and acknowledge ambiguity. This is yet another aspect of Scout’s maturation process and how she matures over the course of the novel. Scout goes from immature to mature in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee because she learned how to be empathetic, to see the perspectives of others, and to acknowledge ambiguity. She went from unkind, inconsiderate, and stubborn, to caring, thoughtful, and understanding. Everyone can learn from the story of Scout; be kind and do not judge someone without seeing life from their perspective. Not until you've climbed into their skin and walked around in
At first, she truly believes that laws are black and white, and you can never bend the law. This isn't the way the world works once one is exposed to such complex situations. Atticus needs to explain this to Scout when she thinks it is never acceptable to bend the law; she thinks everything is either right or wrong, black or white. He explains ambiguity by teaching Scout that "'sometimes it's better to bend the law a little in special cases'" (40). In certain situations, it is okay to bend the law, which Scout - in her immaturity - doesn't understand. Later in the novel, Scout understands that the world is not all black and white, but there are some grey areas. Bob Ewell is a racist man. He is the one who caused the death of the innocent negro, Tom Robinson. Later in the novel, Arthur Radley kills Bob Ewell in order to save Scout and her brother. Even though Bob was killed by Arthur, it was decided to say that Mr. Ewell fell on his knife. He killed an innocent man, so it was right to not get anyone else involved; everyone decided that Ewell fell on his knife. Even Scout. She says “‘Yes sir, I understand” (370). Scout acknowledges that there was a way for the law to be bent, because of this complex situation. It is extremely mature of her to understand and acknowledge ambiguity. This is yet another aspect of Scout’s maturation process and how she matures over the course of the novel. Scout goes from immature to mature in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee because she learned how to be empathetic, to see the perspectives of others, and to acknowledge ambiguity. She went from unkind, inconsiderate, and stubborn, to caring, thoughtful, and understanding. Everyone can learn from the story of Scout; be kind and do not judge someone without seeing life from their perspective. Not until you've climbed into their skin and walked around in