Character Development In To Kill A Mockingbird

Throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, the narrator and protagonist, Scout, grows not only physically and emotionally as well. Through experience, Scout undergoes emotional change, taking her from her child self, to her more developed self. In addition, Scout learns through observing others and learning that they are not who she believes to be. And although a great deal of Scout’s development can be credited toward her superiors who directly teach her, it is Scout herself who truly discovers what maturity is, and how its relation to morality makes the world.

In ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ written by Harper Lee, the author has used numerous different methods to portray the themes of innocence, maturity and growing up. These themes were put in so that the audience could become more empathetic towards the characters, especially the protagonists. She depicts these themes through characters, events, using symbolism, imagery and contrast located throughout the book.

Strength doesn’t come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t.”

As baby steps transform into bounding leaps, one must understand how to lengthen their stride mentally as they do physically. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee eloquently describes Scout and Jem’s journeys over the course of a few years that, in turn, cause them to mature individually as well as a duo. Their progressions as characters allow the reader to label the novel as one of maturation. Numerous experiences contribute to their growth and understanding of the world around them. Along the way, Scout and Jem learn to put themselves in other people’s shoes, that one should never kill a mockingbird, and that an individual should continue to fight regardless if they know that they are destined to lose.

Imagine you are a lawyer tasked with an impossible case, and everybody in your community is against you, but still there is a shred of hope you cling to. What might that be you ask? That to which you cling are your morals. In To Kill a Mockingbird Atticus Finch had been given the Tom Robinson case, where a black man was convicted of raping a white woman. As a single father of two children, he continues to reinforce his values throughout the trial and during his daunting task of raising his children. In To Kill A Mockingbird what Harper Lee suggests about the nature of morals is that you should try to stand up for what you believe in even if people oppose or reject your ideals. Even when faced with an insurmountable opposition you should stand up for your morals because in the end if your don't follow your beliefs you are just contributing to the problem. We should try to create a voice for what we believe in and impress that upon the next generation so they can continue to exercise their beliefs to make the world a better place.

Through the eyes of an innocent child, the story of To Kill a Mockingbird introduces a world of corruption. In the disordered town of Maycomb, certain character traits are developed and displayed in a specific local family. The opposition against their beliefs brings daunting situations to their door. Yet, this one family perseveres through the continuous corruption of Maycomb. Therefore, this recurring motif of character development really plays into the characters and, consequently, the story. This evident pattern of courage composes the Finch family: Jem, Scout, and Atticus.

“To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee is an exceedingly powerful novel. It includes many significant minor themes such as racism and hatred which leave the reader to have grown more attentive to the past once they complete the book. The book takes place in Maycomb County Alabama during the great depression. During this period there was a great deal of hate and prejudice towards people of color, in addition to a great regard to social class. The novels protagonists, Atticus Finch a well-respected lawyer and his children Jeremy “Jem” Finch and Jean Louise “Scout” Finch are a few of the towns occupants who respect others regardless of social class or race. For this reason, Atticus has no objections

Maturity often goes hand in hand with change. Whether it is just growing up or learning from one’s mistakes, change brings new perspective that helps people for the better. The main characters in Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird go through a series of such changes throughout the story such as losing their innocence, growing up, and coming to the realization of their town’s unfair prejudices. The transition from being innocent and oblivious to more mature and aware is extremely evident in several identities in the novel. The novel approaches the question of whether or not the people of Maycomb need some change and new perspective by dramatizing Scout, Jem, and Dill’s transition from a perspective of childhood innocence.

A Bildungsroman is a literary genre that focuses on the development, psychologically and morally, of the protagonist from childhood to adulthood, also known as coming of age. The character development plays an extremely important role in the novel. In Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, each of the main characters change during the events of the story. The children, Scout and Jem, change immensely compared to the other characters. Due to Jem’s puzzling personality and character, Scout showed the most change between the two. Scout transforms from a small, innocent little girl to a mature and experienced young woman.

Holding prejudices inhibits people, and for Scout, the oppression of Mayella Ewell and the black community teach her that all people are prejudiced. Taking her first steps towards understanding, Scout recognizes the ingrained racism of Maycomb when she reflects on her teacher’s (Miss Gates) hypocrisy.(VB) Though Miss Gates condones Hitler for his prejudices towards Jews, she turns around and believes less of the black community right at home. “I heard her say it’s time somebody taught ‘em a lesson, they were gettin’ way above themselves, an’ the next thing they think they can do is marry us. Jem, how can you hate Hitler so much, then turn around and be ugly to folks right at home” (331).

"My sister ain't dirty and I ain't scared of you" (Lee 78). Jem was a selfish and immature kid in the beginning of the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. He was trifling with neighbors and disobeying his dad. He started to change his ways throughout the book. In the beginning, Jem would always make the wrong decisions, for example, going to Radley’s house after he was told not to. Jem was also known to never decline a dare, showing his braveness and ways of immaturity. Towards the end of the book Jem starts to mature. For example, he stood outside the courthouse until he made sure his dad was safe. Therefore, Jem develops into a caring young boy. His maturity shows through the things he says and his behavior towards the people around him.

Although Scout does not understand what is all happening during her childhood, Lee’s usage of her innocent and immature viewpoint express the significance of prejudice and racism between classes and races in the 1930’s time period. Scout has respectful morals; therefore, she loves Calpurnia and is not prejudice against African Americans. She attended church with Calpurnia, and even sat in the balcony with the African Americans during the Tom Robinson trial. Her morals exemplify the innocence that she has during her childhood viewpoint while also showing the wicked ways of the people in

Unexpected and uncontrollable events have a way of creeping into people’s lives and causing a wave of emotions that will affect the way a person lives the rest of their life. In her award-winning novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee address issues by looking at them through the eyes of a child. The story follows six-year-old Scout Finch as she grows up in Maycomb, Alabama during the great depression. Harper Lee writes for several events throughout the book test Scouts morals in order to call attention to how interactions shape a person. By learning from others, Scout grows to understand the intricacies of the human relationship.

The novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a story full of developing characters.

One’s childhood is filled with happy memories and sweet innocence. However, everyone grows up sooner or later. In Jem’s case, it was sooner. Over a span of 3 years from 10 years of age to 13, To Kill a Mockingbird shows how a child begins to become more adult-like. Jem began to act more mature and adopt the opinions and values of an adult.