Character Analysis of Scout Finch Essay Example
Character Analysis of Scout Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird
Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the self-development of Jean Louise Finch is always very prominent, as many aspects in her life help with her maturation. Jean Louise Finch or ‘Scout’ has distinct un-lady like characteristics which emphasize her break from typical Maycomb society, and show that she is not a quintessential young girl. Scout has a certain obstinacy and she does not change much when others criticize her distinct identity. She seems adamant not to convert to the frilly dresses and socially accepted standards of a typical Maycomb County lady. Her tomboy antics and dirty overalls show society that being a girl does not have to mean wearing a “pink Sunday dress, shoes…a petticoat” (228) and enjoying small-talk with afternoon tea. Scout’s unwillingness to convert her physical appearance resembles her refusal to change her mentality. When most of the town is against Tom Robinson, she keeps her ideology of equality which helps her morally improve herself. In one instance, Scout wants to play with Walter Cunningham, but Aunt Alexandra doesn’t allow it, causing Scout to persistently tell her aunt that “[she] wants to play with Walter, [so] why can’t [she]” (225) invite him over. Scout does not adopt her aunt’s vices and philosophy of family prejudice. Another aid to Scout’s moral development is her sense of impulsive nature and sense of curiosity. She is always sticking her head where it shouldn’t be and as a result she learns about reality at a young age. When she confronts a group of men wanting to harm Tom Robinson, Scout doesn’t understand the situation at first, but “the full meaning of the night’s events hit [her] and [she begins] crying” (156). Her ethics and opinions undergo intense alteration over the course of the novel, most particularly during the trial of Tom Robinson. After the trial and the aftermath of the trial, Scout has
Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the self-development of Jean Louise Finch is always very prominent, as many aspects in her life help with her maturation. Jean Louise Finch or ‘Scout’ has distinct un-lady like characteristics which emphasize her break from typical Maycomb society, and show that she is not a quintessential young girl. Scout has a certain obstinacy and she does not change much when others criticize her distinct identity. She seems adamant not to convert to the frilly dresses and socially accepted standards of a typical Maycomb County lady. Her tomboy antics and dirty overalls show society that being a girl does not have to mean wearing a “pink Sunday dress, shoes…a petticoat” (228) and enjoying small-talk with afternoon tea. Scout’s unwillingness to convert her physical appearance resembles her refusal to change her mentality. When most of the town is against Tom Robinson, she keeps her ideology of equality which helps her morally improve herself. In one instance, Scout wants to play with Walter Cunningham, but Aunt Alexandra doesn’t allow it, causing Scout to persistently tell her aunt that “[she] wants to play with Walter, [so] why can’t [she]” (225) invite him over. Scout does not adopt her aunt’s vices and philosophy of family prejudice. Another aid to Scout’s moral development is her sense of impulsive nature and sense of curiosity. She is always sticking her head where it shouldn’t be and as a result she learns about reality at a young age. When she confronts a group of men wanting to harm Tom Robinson, Scout doesn’t understand the situation at first, but “the full meaning of the night’s events hit [her] and [she begins] crying” (156). Her ethics and opinions undergo intense alteration over the course of the novel, most particularly during the trial of Tom Robinson. After the trial and the aftermath of the trial, Scout has