To Kill a Mockingbird Essay

Submitted By Bryce-LK
Words: 658
Pages: 3

Every person must become an adult at some point in their life. They will have to transition from a child into a respectable adult. People aren’t just made into adults; they have to mature into adults. In the book To Kill a Mockingbird, brother and sister Jem and Scout Finch have to mature very quickly, especially in a world where racism is normal and everywhere. Jem and Scout have to learn right from wrong, often when it is unclear. In such a biased world, even Atticus feared his children would become the exact people he was ashamed of. While Atticus spoke to Uncle Jack about the Tom Robinson trial, he said “‘I hope and pray I can get Jem and Scout through it without bitterness, and most of all, without catching Maycomb’s usual disease.’” Atticus expressed to Uncle Jack that he wanted to help his kids through the trial without hatred toward anyone or anything, and he also expressed that he didn’t want his kids to become a part in the racism of Maycomb that is the disease. After Atticus was done talking, he told Scout told go to bed. Scout was around the corner listening, and she didn’t think Atticus knew she was listening. “I never figured out how Atticus knew I was listening, and it was not until many years later that I realized he wanted me to hear every word he said.” Atticus knew Scout was listening, and he thought it was time for Scout to know what is right and what is wrong, and just because society says something is right or wrong, doesn’t mean society is correct. Scout encounters society’s views a lot, especially at school. “Cecil Jacobs made me forget. He had announced in the schoolyard the day before that Scout Finch’s daddy defended niggers.” Scout learned firsthand how black people are treated unfairly, and even though she may be scrutinized for helping a black person, it is the right thing to do. Because it may be unclear what the right thing to do is, Scout looks to Atticus and Jem to help guide her. Though Atticus tries to help Scout as much as he can, he may not always be successful. As the older brother, Jem has to quickly mature to set a good example for Scout. After the children saved Atticus from the group of men in front of the jail, they went home. When Jem was about to go to sleep he heard Scout in her room crying. “Jem took me to his room and put me in bed beside