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To kill a mockingbird character development jem
The journey of maturation in kill a mockingbird
To kill a mockingbird character development jem
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“I don't know, but they did it. They've done it before and they did it tonight and they'll do it again and when they do it-seems that only children weep.” (285) In To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, duality is used to exemplify good and evil coexisting with each other. The two main characters in the book, Scout and Jem, are siblings. They live in Maycomb County, a small town in which many people of dual personalities exist. These people show that good and evil do in fact coexist with one another. Scout and Jem change as they grow older. By the end of the book, Scout starts to learn that not everybody is innocent and good. On the other hand, Jem becomes more like his father, in understanding that wherever good exists, so does evil. The idea …show more content…
Both good and evil can coexist inside a person. An example of this is Mrs. Dubose. According to Scout, neighborhood opinion accounted Mrs. Dubose as the meanest old lady who ever lived. Every day when Scout and Jem wanted to head into town, they had to pass by Mrs. Dubose. She would scream mean things at them, calling their father names, telling them that he was no better than the negroes he defended. No matter how quickly Scout and Jem tried to pass her by, she would always make some nasty comment about them. “Not only a Finch waiting on tables but one in the courthouse lawing for niggers! [...] Yes indeed, what has this world come to when a Finch goes against his raising? I’ll tell you! [...] Your father’s no better than the niggers and trash he works for!” (135) This quote shows that Mrs. Dubose is obviously a racist. She yells at Scout and Jem that their father was doing something wrong, ‘lawing …show more content…
Alexandra first arrives at Maycomb a little while before Tom Robinson’s trial begins. The main purpose of her visit is to support Atticus and the kids, because of the case Atticus is taking on. She wants them to keep the family name. “It was plain that Aunty thought me dull in the extreme, because I once heard her tell atticus that I was sluggish. [...] Alexandra was positively irritable on the Lord’s day.” (170) “Your aunt has asked me to try and impress upon you and Jean Louise that you are not from run-of-the-mill people [...] Presently I picked up a comb from Jem’s dresser and ran its teeth along the edge. ‘Stop that noise’, Atticus said. His courtness stung me. [...] I felt myself beginning to cry, but I could not stop.” (177-178) “She promised me I could come out to her house one afternoon. ‘You may not’ [Replied Alexandra].”(181) “...you’ve got to do something about her. [...] You’ve let things go on too long, Atticus, too long.” (182) All these quotes show that Aunt Alexandra brought evil and unrest to the family. Alexandra called scout sluggish. She was irritable on Saturday. She also caused Atticus to yell at Scout, something that he had never done before. Another evil is the racism that Alexandra presents. She tries to get rid of Calpurnia, and doesn’t let Scout go to her house. On the other hand, like most other characters and settings in To Kill A
The main theme in To Kill a Mockingbird is the coexistence between good and evil. "There are just some kind of men who—who're so busy worrying about the next world they've never learned to live in this one, and you can look down the street and see the results.” (Lee 60) This quote demonstrates a sense of wisdom and cleverness which contrast the other
Childhood is a continuous time of learning, and of seeing mistakes and using them to change your perspectives. In the book To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee illustrates how two children learn from people and their actions to respect everyone no matter what they might look like on the outside. To Kill A Mockingbird tells a story about two young kids named Scout and her older brother Jem Finch growing up in their small, racist town of Maycomb, Alabama. As the years go by they learn how their town and a lot of the people in it aren’t as perfect as they may have seemed before. When Jem and Scout’s father Atticus defends a black man in court, the town’s imperfections begin to show. A sour, little man named Bob Ewell even tries to kill Jem and Scout all because of the help Atticus gave to the black man named Tom Robinson. Throughout the novel, Harper Lee illustrates the central theme that it is wrong to judge someone by their appearance on the outside, or belittle someone because they are different.
...t and dark, art and pain, choice and regret, cruelty and sacrifice.” [Libba Bray] The character “foils” within Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird add a real meaning of development, and complexity in the story that grasps the readers attention. It can be seen that each pair of characters are present in a way that the readers are able to show the contrast between each pair and can acknowledge and recognize a “good” character from a “bad” one. This contrast is most evident in the way each character deals with a situation. It is essential that, as readers, we do not assume that certain characters are the same due to some of the likeness that they have because each person has their own personality that creates the true image of their individual that is being described. In this world, there will be both good and evil because that is what creates balance in the world.
Aunt Alexandra recognizes Scout’s maturity when she invites Scout to a seemingly meaningless lady’s brunch. As Scout views the gathering,she understands that this is no ordinary brunch but it is a showcase of social talent. Scout remembers, “There was no part about it, I must soon enter this world” (Lee 267). In this quote Scout comes to the realization that being a lady is not only justified in actions but also in universally accepted social functions. It is here that Scout’s lessons in womanhood come full circle and she is able to embrace a part of her existence that she had brushed off for a long time. Mayella Ewell is a singular character that gives an important insight into understanding of lower classes but in a less literal sense she is an extension of Scout. Mayella is part of Scout that is arrogant,confused, and denies the truth of the adult world. As Aunt Alexandra constantly mentions, she will never befriend the Cunninghams “Don’t be silly, Jean Louise,”said Aunt Alexandra. “The thing is, you can scrub Walter Cunningham till he shines,you can put him in shoes and a new suit, but he’ll never be like Jem” (Lee 256). While in relation to Scout, Aunt Alexandra is portrayed as uptight, she is the ideal lady of
Scout and Jem still are unable to accept her and are detached from her strong traditional southern views. As a result Atticus receives many criticism the way he brought up his children and is forced to act. 'Our Father was actually fidgeting. "No, I just want to explain to you that--your Aunt Alexandra asked me...son you know you 're a Finch, don 't you?" (177) However Jem and Scout notices this and become resentful towards the changed Atticus. As Atticus struggles with the Tom Robinson case, Aunt Alexandra plays the role of their mother since they only have Atticus “I know what he was trying to do, but Atticus was only a man. It takes a woman to do that kind of work." (170) however she also knows that instilling manners and acting as the motherly figure was the role of a woman, during that time period. Throughout the book, Atticus has struggled with the job of filling both the father and the mother. No matter how hard he tries, the roll of the mother can never be filled by Atticus. His character does not have the same personality traits that a mother would. All Scout needs is a loving mother, but when Aunt Alexandra comes, she does not nearly fill that role. She is even harsher and the spot still remains vacant. "...you 've got to do something about her," Aunty was saying. "You 've let things go on too long Atticus, too long” (36).This quote shows how Aunt Alexandra is demanding and looks as if she is trying to be the stricter side, which I dont think Scout needs "Atticus, it 's all right to be soft-hearted, you 're an easy man, but you have a daughter to think of." (136-137)I think Alexandra is totally wrong here. Scout does not like to listen to a demanding person telling her what to do. Instead of listening, she will simply do the opposite. A less harsh and caring mother would give Scout something more to mature. Alexandra is really into
When Atticus’ own sister lost faith in him Miss Maudie didn’t “Have you ever thought of it this way, Alexandra? Whether Maycomb knows it or not, we’re paying the highest tribute we can pay a man. We trust him to do right. It’s that simple.” showing Alexandra that Atticus is someone she should stick up for, not because they are family but because it is virtuous.(316) Even though Miss Maudie didn’t know him she stood up against speculation against Arthur Radley. When Scout starts asking questions about Arthur and keeps using assumptions and fiction Miss Maudie explains “His name’s Arthur and he’s alive, … Arthur Radley just stays in the house, that’s all. Wouldn’t you stay in the house if you didn’t want to come out?”(58) Even with the supposition against Arthur Radley Miss Maudie made it seem like it was nothing to Scout. If she knows you or not, or has to go against your family, Miss Maudie is there for you,
...character foils within Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, each pair symbolizing the good and evil that lies within Maycomb County. Boo and Nathan Radley, though brothers, look at life in contrasting ways. Walter Cunningham Jr. and Burris, though classified the same in terms of society, stand for opposite morals; and Miss Maudie Atkinson and Miss Stephanie Crawford, both respected women in Maycomb, are nothing alike in terms of character. The philosophical meaning behind character foils present not only in this novel, but other works of literature, can be seen as the balance within the universe; with every good thing, comes a bad thing that counterweights it. “The ingredients of both darkness and light are equally present ...The madness of this planet is largely a result of the human being's difficulty in coming to virtuous balance with himself” (Gilbert 251).
Evil actions and wrongdoings don’t necessarily make an evil person. Take Walter Cunningham Sr. for example. He is present in the mob that came to linch Tom Robinson, he most likely would have done anything to get to Tom. He could easily be considered an evil man for wanting to kill Tom Robinson or being willing to hurt Atticus. However when Scout said that if Mr....
The recognition that evil exists in his life was one of the most important aspects in Jem’s personal development. Jem is first exposed to the evil that lives within his own town when he understands that the lynch mob will hurt his father. This is shown through his refusal to leave his father’s side
In 1960, a novel was written to outline injustices and racism against those who were innocent, though unfairly judged because of social expectations and prejudiced beliefs. This novel not only presented these issues, but is also considered a revolutionary piece of literature, still being read by many people today, more than 50 years later. The novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, has caused some controversy about the intents of the book and the way certain people or groups are presented. Whether To Kill a Mockingbird as a narrative outshines the issue it presents is a debatable argument. However, I believe that the narrative of the novel supports the concerns exhibited for numerous reasons. In what follows, some of these are presented: the historical
When Aunt Alexandra first arrived at the Finch house, she took over as if she had been living there her whole life. When arriving home, Jem and Scout found her, “sitting in a rocking chair exactly as if she had sat there every day of her life.”(p. 168). From the very beginning, Aunt Alexandra felt she should be completely in charge. The first thing she said was, “‘Put my bag in the front bedroom, Calpurnia,’” (p. 169). Aunt Alexandra treated Calpurnia as if Calpurnia was her servant. Aunt Alexandra was a strong influence within the Finches home, from the beginning. It did not do much of anything in the end, yet Jem and Scout saw a different side of their father, Atticus. “Atticus suddenly grew serious. In his lawyer’s voice, without a shade of affection, he said: ‘Your aunt has asked me to try and impress upon [Jem] and Jean Louise that you are not from run-of-the-mill people, that you are the product of several generations’ gentle breeding−’”(p. 177). This may have been one of the first times that the children...
When Aunt Alexandra says, "Your father and I decided it was time I came to stay with you for a while,'" Scout and Jem know that she will make new rules and run the house her way. "Aunt Alexandra fitted into the world of Maycomb like a hand into a glove, but never into the world of Jem and me." Aunt Alexandra has very different ideas than Atticus about how to raise children, especially girls, and Scout knows that she will have to change to please her aunt.
Aunt Alexandra is Atticus' sister. She moves to live with Scout and Jem because she wants to teach them the right way of growing up since their mom is dead. As she watches them grow up, she grows up mentally also. “People up there set them free, but you don't see them setting at the table with them. At least we don't have the deceit to say to them ‘yes, you are as good as we are but stay away from us’ said Mrs.
Growing up in Maycomb, Southern Alabama in the 1930s was not an easy thing. Amid a town of prejudice and racism, stood a lone house where equality and respect for all gleamed like a shining star amid an empty space. The house of Atticus Finch was that shining star. Jean Louise Finch, also known as “Scout”, is given the opportunity of being raised in this house by her father, Atticus. I stole this essay from the net. As she grows, Atticus passes down his values of equality and righteousness to Scout and her brother Jeremy Atticus Finch, also known as “Jem”. In “To Kill a Mockingbird”, by Harper Lee, we see Scout learns many lessons about dealing with prejudice by observing the behavior of other characters in the story.
A small city nestled in the state of Alabama, Maycomb has got its faults, just like any other place in the world, but one of its main faults or (pg.88) “Maycomb's usual disease,” as Atticus calls it in the book is prejudice. Jem and Scout learn a lot about prejudice when a black man named Tom Robinson is accused of raping a white woman named Mayella Ewell and their father, Atticus, is called on to be his lawyer. They realize the hate that people have buried deep within their heart when they see a black man accused of doing something only because of his color. On pg.241, Scout starts understanding this and thinks, “Atticus had used every tool available to free men to save Tom Robinson, but in the secret courts of men's hearts Atticus had no case. Tom was a dead man the minute Mayella Ewell opened her mouth and screamed.” As the case continues, up until the death of Tom Robinson, Jem and Scout learn more and more about prejudice and how the hate that people have towards others causes them to take wrong actions. They also see how unfair it is that a white man can get treated better and think of himself better than a black man only because he was born white. This prejudice and the trial cause Jem and Scout to get in argum...