Teenage boys go through many changes throughout their childhood. Boys become more mature, stronger, wiser. They become men. Likewise, in “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, a little boy becomes a young man over the course of three years and his name is Jem. Throughout the course of the book, Jem has transitioned from being a little boy, to a young man, and from this he learns to become mature and more controlled in his actions, and further, from Jem’s transition, the audience can learn that people must act maturely in many situations, and also, the purpose of Jem in this novel is to prove to readers that people can always transition into a mature person.
To begin, in the first half of the book, Jem is young and immature, because when
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In “To Kill A Mockingbird” written by Harper Lee, Jem states and Atticus, his father says “‘We weren’t makin’ fun of him, we weren’t laughin’ at him,’ said Jem, ‘we were just-’ ‘So that’s what you were doing, wasn’t it?’ ‘Makin’ fun of him?’ ‘No,’ said Atticus, ‘putting his life’s history on display for the edification of the neighborhood.’ ‘I didn’t say we were doin’ that, I didn’t say it!’ (Lee 65).” In these quotes, Jem is trying to argue with …show more content…
In the story, there was a trial against a black man named Tom Robinson, and he was found guilty of rape by the jury. Every white person in the court was thrilled, except the Finches (Atticus, Jem and Scout) and Dill. Harper Lee, author of “To Kill A Mockingbird”, wrote a narration for Scout where she says “It was Jem’s turn to cry, His face was streaked with angry tears as we made our way through the cheerful crowd” (Lee 284). This event occurs after the trial of Tom Robinson has concluded and Jem, Scout, and Dill were all on their way home, having to walk through the crowds of happy white men and women. To connect this back to the thesis, Jem shows maturity here by not bursting out violently like he did in a previous chapter of the book. Harper Lee decided to make Jem cry, because she wanted to let readers know that tears do not necessarily signify weakness. It is a completely mature way of expressing one’s sadness for the events that occurred in the courtroom that day. Especially at such a young age, and witnessing everything that happened in that courtroom. From this event, the audience learns that crying doesn’t bring down someone's level of maturity. Jem did a very good job exhibiting that here, for he was just as mature before and
This passage of the story displays coming of age as an internal force through Jem’s character, conflict, and setting. This event led Jem to see situations in a different perspective. He learns that people might come out as rude. But, as hard as it is he must remain respectful, because he would not know what kind of battles they must be facing. He uses this coming of age experience as a life lesson more throughout the
...heme of maturation in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, is conveyed through the characters of Scout and Jem, in conjunction with the assistance of their virtuous father Atticus Finch. Early in the novel, Atticus ascertains himself as a major facilitator in the maturation process of Scout and Jem by incessantly providing mature solutions to his children’s predicaments. Moreover, Scout, a major benefactor of the Boo Radley incident and Atticus’ wisdom, has helped her develop into a very tolerant and mature individual. Undeniably, Jem’s remarkable development into a broadminded and compassionate character can be directly attributed to Atticus’ kindness and Jem’s exposure to the Tom Robinson trial. In synopsis, it is evident that the individuals and social circumstances that surround an individual play a major role in defining the type of individual one will become.
In the beginning of the story, Jem enjoys the childish games of fantasizing about Boo Radley, taking any dare, and . Scout tells the reader that Jem becomes more and more moody as the story progresses, due to his aging. He thinks more; he shows more compassion; and he is appalled by the unfairness that rears its ugly head in his hometown. While Scout recounts the events of her childhood, the reader fails to notice that “To Kill a Mockingbird” is not a story about the narrator (Scout) maturing, it is actually about Jem maturing, and becoming an adult.
Jem Finch has come a long way since his humble beginnings as a naive ten year old child. He has come to understand the real meaning of courage, gone from playmate to protector for his sister and has grown enough to understand the workings of the real world, and see the negatives and positives of society. His maturity has been quick and the changes great, and over the years he has come to adhere, respect and carry out Atticus`s legacy and use his father`s ideals to shape his lifestyle. Due to the course of events, his adolescent changes and Atticus`s influence, Jem has matured from a reckless child into a young man capable of making his own decisions.
On several occasions, Scout gets into a fight with people who make unpleasant comments about her father. Atticus continuously tells her that this is wrong and that she needs to learn to control her anger, “You might hear some ugly talk about it at school, but do one thing for me if you will: you just hold your head high and keep those fists down. No matter what anybody says to you, don’t you let ‘em get your goat. Try fighting with your head for a change” (Lee 101). The day after this discussion with Atticus, Scout is approached by a fellow student who had previously made a mean comment about her father. “I drew a bead on him, remembered what Atticus had said, then dropped my fists and walked away...it was the first time I ever walked away from a fight” (Lee 102). Although she struggles at first, Scout develops a higher level of maturity which allows her to control her temper and simply defend her father with her words, without being rude. Jem is also faced with these type of situations and struggles with his anger, for instance when he attacks Mrs. Dubose’s flowers. Atticus goes to great lengths to teach his children that in life, they must learn to stay calm and be kind to everyone, despite how cruel those people may be. Scout and Jem face several situations in which their control is tested, which leads them to “come of age”
Jem, a character in the novel whom develops from an unseasoned boy, to a pubescent boy, then to a youthful man, grimaces through a great deal of development within himself. These developments led to distinct changes socially and mentally within Jem. Author Harper Lee used the development of characters as a whole, to
“ ‘Jem see if you can stand in Bob Ewell’s shoes a minute. I destroyed his last shred credibility at the trial, if he had any to begin with. The man had to have some kind of a comeback, his kind always does. So if spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating that's something i'll gladly take. He had to take it out on somebody and i’d rather it be me than that houseful of children out there. You understand ’” (23.15) Atticus Finch had exposed the bad men in the community to his children but selflessly found room to feel sorry for Bob because of how he treats his children. The children were able to learn from Atticus by being able to understand what was being said but realize that not everyone is as fortunate as them and don't always have the moral understand like Atticus has taught them 'Scout, I think I'm beginning to understand something. I think I'm beginning to understand why Boo Radley's stayed shut up in the house all this time. It's because he wants to stay inside.'" Page 227. Jem had recognized that not everyone can cope with the world they live in, being all caught up in hate, racism and distrust that it's better for people like that to stay inside, away from the horrid things of the world which is society. Adults are capable of judging and and not forgiving
By the end of the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Jem is transformed from a naive, playful child into an aware, mature young adult. The trial changes his worldview; suddenly the people around him are not all righteous and good, and he grows through this. In recurring events, Jem comes of age through social realizations, and emerges into
At the start of Part Two, Jem starts to grow to be a more mature person and develop a want for wisdom and knowledge. “In addition to Jem’s newly developed characteristics, he had acquired a maddening air of wisdom.” (116) In this quote, Calpurnia is speaking to Scout letting her know that the reason for Jem’s sudden changes is that he is growing up and is almost a young man. Jem is beginning to mature mentally. Jem wants to become more ...
Jem’s view towards his father also changes when he risks being shot by Mr. Radley when he returns to collect his pants so that he can avoid the dishonor of having Atticus be disappointed in him. Towards the end of the novel, when Jem hears verdict of the Tom Robinson trial, the darkness of reality destroys whats left of his optimistic innocence. It dispels everything that he had previously held to be true, and Jem is unable to comprehend why people would harbor prejudices.
Jem and Scout mature greatly from the start to the end of the novel. By the end of the book they are smarter with decisions and emotional behavior. People will go through maturity in life, and hopefully grow eqmotionally and mentally.
“Maturity is the ability to think, speak and act your feelings within the bounds of dignity. The measure of your maturity is how spiritual you become during the midst of your frustrations.” is a quote from Samuel Ullman. This describes the struggles that Jem went through by taking part in the community and trial and by also taking the risk of losing some of his friends and family in Harper Lee’s, To Kill a Mockingbird. Through Jem’s interaction with the racism of Maycomb, he became aware of the things around him. We all learn that it takes a strong person to overcome the barriers of society.
When children grow up, they face difficult problems, and. they learn to cope and take responsibility. To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, is a flashback about two kids that spans over a few years. Jem ages from ten to thirteen over the course of the novel, and undergoes much change, as his sister describes him. Over the years, he is exposed to issues adults face, and eventually shows an understanding of racism and innocence. As Jem grows up, his view on courage also changes. Jem follows his father's footsteps, and gets much of his knowledge from him.
In Harper Lee's To Kill a Mocking Bird, the character of Jem goes through an interesting transition throughout the narrative.To Kill a Mocking Bird is all about growing up and how children change and mature. Albert Schweitzer once said, "Example is not the main thing influencing others. It's the only thing". Jem desperately wants to emulate his father, Atticus, especially his father's braveness. Jem grows up through how he views bravery. Scout says about Jem that, "Jem was born a hero" ( 21). When readers first meet Jem, he thinks being a "daredevil" is bravery. However, by the end of the novel, it is clear that Jem's view of bravery has developed for the better. Jem's opinions and acts of bravery throughout the novel change and grow as the
He strongly believes in protecting his family and sticking up for his sister and father. He also believes that as the oldest child and as a boy, that he should support and protect his father in every way. Jem is seen as someone who strongly disagrees with injustice and discrimination as show when he states "I--it's like this, Scout," he muttered. "Atticus ain't ever whipped me since I can remember. I want to keep it that way". This shows the agreement between Jem and Atticus and how Jem looks up to his father and almost mimics his actions. Jem also finds it really important to show courage and bravery to prove himself to his friends and family. Scout states “Jem wanted Dill to know once and for all that he wasn't scared of anything”.