Theme Of Jem Coming Of Age In To Kill A Mockingbird
Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird deals with the loathsome subject of racism in a southern town in the 1930’s. Told from a nine year old's innocent eye, Lee pinpoints the definition of racism. Lee takes readers on a riveting journey through mobs, trials, and death. The rare and unusual innocent eye this story is told from gives an unbiased and fresh view of racism. To Kill a Mockingbird is a coming of age story, as the narrator, Scout and brother Jem learn what the real definition of racism is. Jem Finch is possibly the pinnacle of all coming of age characters; he moves from a state of child-like innocence, to almost adult-like maturity after dealing first hand with racism in his hometown. For example, after the Tom Robinson trial, Jem comes to realize the hate and prejudice that surrounds him on a daily basis. Throughout the trial, Jem was making comments such as “we’re gonna win, Scout,” and “I don't see how we can’t”
…show more content…
(Lee 270). He was so sure beyond a reasonable doubt, that in his mind the possibility of Tom being convicted as guilty was next to none. When Tom was convicted as guilty, all of Jem’s confidence and certainty in the world disappeared. The big, bright, beautiful world he lived in was now dark and twisted. The respectful and ethical people he admired were no longer honorable. Jem couldn't process what was going on, so he cried. He sat on the front stairs, and cried out of frustration with himself and the world. When Tom caught news of Tom's death, the pieces began to fall into place. The past few days of jumbled thoughts came together, and explained his confusion. Jem realized Tom was not guilty, and everyone knew it. He realized that Tom was convicted as guilty because he was african american. This was what racism was. Through this painful experience, Jem gained a better understanding of what racism was, and how prevalent it was in his society today. Another wonderful example of a coming of age character in To Kill a Mockingbird is Jem's sister, Scout Finch.
Readers watch as Scout struggles with understanding the Trial, and how a man who is clearly innocent, is convicted as guilty due to his skin color. Scout doesn't know how to deal with all of her emotions, so she resorts to acting like everyone else. At the end of the trial, Dill is feeling sick about the court process, and Scout attempts to comfort him. Readers watch Scout beginning to evolve and understand how the world works. While comforting Dill, she comes to the conclusion that Tom is “just a Negro” and there is nothing that can be done anymore (Lee 266). This shows a level of maturity because it is the truth, and she recognizes that there is nothing more to be done; even though it is not morally right. As life goes on after the trail, Scout has time to piece together her thoughts. She begins to realize how not only the court system works, but how life works. She understands that at that time, it is inevitable and
unavoidable.
Another instance when Scout experiences racism and the cruelty it provokes is the mob scene. Scout, Jem, and Dill snuck out and followed Atticus to the mysterious location he was headed for. Little did they realize, they were not the only ones planning on visiting him that night. Several men showed up at Tom's cell, looking for him. The kids watch as Atticus, who was“moving slowly, like an old man” faces a group of abhorrent racists, ready to kill. (Lee 203). Atticus did not appear to be afraid, but Scout and Jem thought he had every right to be. These vicious men were out for blood, and Scout and Jem couldn’t really understand why. They couldn’t comprehend why these men were searching for Tom. in a moment of realization that occurs later in the book, Scout once again realizes that these men were only after Tom because of the color of his skin. In this mob scene, Scout sees that power comes in numbers as well as hate, which is very disheartening for her. First hand, she sees these vicious and remorseless men driven by racism attempting to exile an innocent man. This was a very important event because this showed Scout the violent side of racism, which she had not been exposed to before.
In conclusion, Jem and Scout grew from these experiences, gaining a better understanding of the racism in their town. They grew, changed, and learned from all of these traumatic experiences. Before they embarked on this journey, they not only didn't know what racism was, but where it was as well. Both Scout and Jem were unaware of the effects it had on them and their society.
(Lee 270). He was so sure beyond a reasonable doubt, that in his mind the possibility of Tom being convicted as guilty was next to none. When Tom was convicted as guilty, all of Jem’s confidence and certainty in the world disappeared. The big, bright, beautiful world he lived in was now dark and twisted. The respectful and ethical people he admired were no longer honorable. Jem couldn't process what was going on, so he cried. He sat on the front stairs, and cried out of frustration with himself and the world. When Tom caught news of Tom's death, the pieces began to fall into place. The past few days of jumbled thoughts came together, and explained his confusion. Jem realized Tom was not guilty, and everyone knew it. He realized that Tom was convicted as guilty because he was african american. This was what racism was. Through this painful experience, Jem gained a better understanding of what racism was, and how prevalent it was in his society today. Another wonderful example of a coming of age character in To Kill a Mockingbird is Jem's sister, Scout Finch.
Readers watch as Scout struggles with understanding the Trial, and how a man who is clearly innocent, is convicted as guilty due to his skin color. Scout doesn't know how to deal with all of her emotions, so she resorts to acting like everyone else. At the end of the trial, Dill is feeling sick about the court process, and Scout attempts to comfort him. Readers watch Scout beginning to evolve and understand how the world works. While comforting Dill, she comes to the conclusion that Tom is “just a Negro” and there is nothing that can be done anymore (Lee 266). This shows a level of maturity because it is the truth, and she recognizes that there is nothing more to be done; even though it is not morally right. As life goes on after the trail, Scout has time to piece together her thoughts. She begins to realize how not only the court system works, but how life works. She understands that at that time, it is inevitable and
unavoidable.
Another instance when Scout experiences racism and the cruelty it provokes is the mob scene. Scout, Jem, and Dill snuck out and followed Atticus to the mysterious location he was headed for. Little did they realize, they were not the only ones planning on visiting him that night. Several men showed up at Tom's cell, looking for him. The kids watch as Atticus, who was“moving slowly, like an old man” faces a group of abhorrent racists, ready to kill. (Lee 203). Atticus did not appear to be afraid, but Scout and Jem thought he had every right to be. These vicious men were out for blood, and Scout and Jem couldn’t really understand why. They couldn’t comprehend why these men were searching for Tom. in a moment of realization that occurs later in the book, Scout once again realizes that these men were only after Tom because of the color of his skin. In this mob scene, Scout sees that power comes in numbers as well as hate, which is very disheartening for her. First hand, she sees these vicious and remorseless men driven by racism attempting to exile an innocent man. This was a very important event because this showed Scout the violent side of racism, which she had not been exposed to before.
In conclusion, Jem and Scout grew from these experiences, gaining a better understanding of the racism in their town. They grew, changed, and learned from all of these traumatic experiences. Before they embarked on this journey, they not only didn't know what racism was, but where it was as well. Both Scout and Jem were unaware of the effects it had on them and their society.