Scouting Out Maturity: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Scouting Out Maturity
An essay written by Leona

The Depression was a very rough and brutal period of the 1930's. In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, the reader finds out how the depression look liked in Southern America. Along with that, the true effects, of this ruthless period of time, on the local citizens are described. One of the main characters, and also the narrator of the novel, is a young girl named Jean-Louise Finch, or Scout. Through other characters such as Atticus, Jem, and Boo Radley, a profound difference in Scout's journey from innocence to maturity is seen. "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." This quote is taken from chapter three, on page thirty of the novel. Not only is it just moral advice from Atticus to Scout, it is but a sheer beginning of Scout's magnificent path to adulthood. These simple words of wisdom from her father represented a similar way in which Atticus led his own life. He can easily relate to his children and refer to everything in a way where his kids can understand it ("climb into his skin and walk around in it"). Scout struggles with trying to put her father's advice into reality. Near the end of the novel, Scout accomplishes this by putting herself in "Boo Radley's skin" and that way shows a huge step to maturity. Scout's journey to adulthood took a giant leap thanks to her father, Atticus, who gave her moral advice that she would always remember. Jem is Atticus' son - also Scout's brother. During the course of the novel, he profoundly and rapidly matures. Scout being the little sister, always relying on her older brother, notices these transitions greatly. She slowly starts understanding her brother and also starts to live life with a different perspective. Jem finally recognizes true courage in none other than Atticus. He then becomes more mature and does not find childish things nor courageous or amusing. Scout slowly starts to act like him. She learns a tremendous amount of lessons just by watching people and observing different situations. By living in Maycomb, she sees the brutality of society and gets a real taste of reality. The development of the moral education of Scout is clearly revealed throughout her brother, Jem. Boo Radley was the most mysterious character and the children would constantly question Atticus about him. From all the stories that they have heard, the kids imagined him as a grotesque monster that was very shy and withdrawn. Scout and Jem could never really understand why he was so inhibited and reserved. When Scout finally placed herself in "Boo Radley's skin", she understood why he was such an introvert - because he simply wanted to be. This realization leads to greater tolerant attitudes from both Scout and Jem. It helps Scout understand how society works and she realizes that most of it is wrong. How people can treat you so terribly that it would make you want to stay closed off in your house, forever. She even says that giving Boo Radley credit for saving her and Jem would be like killing a mockingbird because it exposes him to others, which he does not desire. By placing herself in another person’s shoes, Scout understands Boo Radley's feelings and matures from the experience. Throughout the novel, Scout realizes the effect of society on humans and the wrong in every situation, thanks to people such as Atticus, Jem and Boo Radley. By listening to her father’s prized moral advice, she applies it to real life situations. Given her older brother, Jem, she learns to act more mature and is not interested in childish games. Boo Radley tremendously helped give Scout a different perspective on life. She would probably never be the person she is today if it was not for other people giving her advice and guidance. So whenever you want to judge someone or even think a bad thing about them put yourself in their skin and imagine how you would feel.