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Growth of characters in To Kill a Mockingbird ¨When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves¨ Victor E. Frankl writes. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee challenges Jem finch to do so. He is merely just a young boy and does not have much power or authority. He can not change what happens but he could change himself to make him fit the ideal silhouette of a young boy. In fact he is forced to change in order take care of his little sister, and step up to be the guide. In the beginning of the book he is a modest feeble boy that goes with the flow. He just sits and waits for something to happen to him, instead of taking action. He is still keen, tender and is learning to grow. He often makes assumptions …show more content…
He does not allow Scout to do as much as he used to do, and is much more controlling. He wants to become more independent and not have his little sister follow him around everywhere. Jem tried to express to scout that, “during school hours [she] was not to disturb him, [she] was not to approach him with requests to reenact a chapter of Tarzan and the Ant Man,[or] to embarrass him”(20). He realized that school is different than home and that people would judge him there. Jem also tells Scout that she needs to grow up and stop acting like a girl, which is an insult even though that is what she is. Still Jem knows when to layoff, ¨[he then] decided there was no point in quibbling, and was silent¨(66). He also now knew how to act like an adult, and how to fit in with them. He acted like them, and only talked about what they talked about anymore. He also became more rebellious when they were not watching. He took action, and took things into his own hands. Jem “did not start to calm down until he had cut the top off every camellia bush” (137). He could have talked with Mrs. Dubose about his issues, instead he decided to vandalize her flowers. He took the immature and ignorant path of a twelve year old
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.
One of the ways Jem changes is by becoming more mature.Jem proves that he is maturing when the kids find Dill under Scout's bed and the first thing Jem says is “let your mother know where you are" and tells Atticus that he was there.This shows that Jem is starting to think like an adult and didn't care about breaking “the remaining code of childhood”. Even though it would mean Scout and Dill getting mad at him he still did it because he knew it was the mature thing to do.This shows that Jem cares more about doing the right, mature thing and less about having Scout and Dill mad at him.
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” and develop skills necessary for adulthood. They learn to defend Atticus and themselves by using words and developing self-control.
The next most obvious person in the book that drastically matures is Jem. At the beginning of the book Jem is much like Scout in that he has the innocence of a young child. For example Jem tells Scout and Dill various made-up stories about Boo Radley to satisfy his need for excitement in his life and for the childish need to scare Scout and Dill. His immaturity is also mirrored when he makes up a game in which he puts Boo’s “… life’s history on display for the edification of the neighborhood.” After that he shows his lack of being able to control his temper and lack of respect when he destroys Miss Dubose’s camellias. There is no doubt that Jem was immature at the start of this book but as the book progresses we see a drastic change in him.
this is the case, it doesn’t stop Jem teaching Scout what’s right. wrong, even if she resents it. In conclusion, Jem’s growing maturity throughout this book is advanced. for somebody of this age, his passing through many stages; puberty, a. growing understanding of the world around him and he find’s it all very.
As humans, it is only natural for our perspective to change, for us to learn, for us to grow, and to change as individuals. For example, Saul from the Bible. Saul spent his whole life slaughtering Christians for their belief, but after being exposed to new things and gaining new perspectives, he changed his name to Paul and embraced Christianity, becoming a prophet. This principle also applies to Scout Finch, the protagonist in To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, similar to how this rule affected Paul. Since Scout Finch is the narrator of this novel, one who reads To Kill a Mockingbird can easily see the progression of different personality traits as the book progresses and
Throughout the novel, Jems perspective and character is revealed in many different ways. He is a role model for Scout and does anything possible to help and protect her. When Aunt Alexandra declined Scouts suggestion of allowing Walter to visit and scolding Scout by calling her trash we are shown Jem reacting by responding “ ‘Have a chew, Scout ‘ Jem dug into his pocket and extracted a tootsie roll. It took a few minutes to work the candy into a comfortable wad inside my mouth” ( Lee 23). Jem creates a role model/supportive figure for Scout since he comforts her and acknowledges her problems; he puts himself in her shoes. This also proves that he cares enough about his little sister by cheering her up. Jem values Scouts happiness and wellbeing. Jems actions demonstrate that being there for others is one of his many principles. He has also represented a role model when he lost his pants on the Radley Fence after running out of the Radley property and getting the pants stuck on the way
Jem Finch demonstrates growing maturity throughout the novel. After Tom Robinson’s trial, Scout reveals Jem’s feelings. “It was Jem’s turn to cry.” Scout uncovers, “His face was streaked with angry tears as we made our way through the cheerful crowd,” (TKAM 284). Jem understands the trial is not fair because of race. He is mature enough to realize this while Scout is not. Another example of Jem’s maturity is exemplified when he is fulfilling his obligation to read to Mrs. Dubose. Scout describes, “ ‘So you brought that dirty little sister of yours did you?’ was her greeting… ‘My sister ain’t dirty and I ain’t scared of you’, although I noticed his knees shaking,” (TKAM 141). Rather than Jem replying to Mrs. Dubose with an insult, he dismisses her comment. Furthermore, this showcases his patience and tolerance, which comes with maturity. Finally, Jem validates his maturity when the Finch children find Dill under Scout’s bed. “You oughta let your mother know where you are.” announced Jem, “You oughta let her know you are here…”(TKAM 187). At this point Jem knows the right way to handle this situation is to let an adult know where Dill is. Even though Scout believes she can keep him under her bed forever, Jem recognizes the reality. When Jem’s maturity is put to the test he demonstrates good judgment and decision-making.
The Book, “To Kill a Mockingbird” describes three young characters named Scout, Jem, and Atticus. Each one of the characters had a different perspective on how they portrayed reading. The characters had their own way of how to read and comprehend.
To be able to change, it takes a lot of dignity and faith and courage from both your peers and yourself. However, once the change has been made, you have the power to change others as well. Jem showed us this by taking part in something major that was going on in the community and being willing to make a change. We can also be like Jem. We can participate in school functions; we can even take part in things around our community such as volunteering at the local food bank. As we read about Jem maturing and taking part in the community, we learned that it takes a strong person to overcome the barriers of society.
In the novel "To Kill A Mockingbird" each of the main characters changed quite a bit. Through the experiences each character went through and the natural maturing that occurred in each of them, the characters were altered from the way they were at beginning of the book. The children, Scout and Jem, were the two most dramatically changed characters. However, Scout showed much more change than Jem did because of his mysterious hidden attitude. Scout matured from a helpless and naïve child into a much more experienced and grown-up young lady.
In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird Jem and Scout are both examples of characters whose coming-of-age process involves gaining different perspectives. In the story, Jem’s character is continuously going through the motions of growing up. It is obvious that Harper Lee wanted Jem to portray a young boy
He shows this quality largely through the treatment of his sister Scout. Although they get into the occasional quarrels and scuffle, Jem cares greatly for her. He often encourages her in her moments of sadness and even defends her from tormentors such as Mrs. Dubose. Jem's attitude of caring and sympathy also reached out beyond his sister and to others. Jem clearly demonstrates this in his treatment towards Walter Cunningham, "Jem suddenly grinned at him. 'Come on home to dinner with us, Walter,' he said. 'We'd be glad to have you'' This displays great concern and caring on Jem's end towards Walter as he understood Walter did not have anything to
In To Kill a Mockingbird Jem is Scout's older brother who acts as a protector and mentor when their father, Atticus, is not present. (Scout is the main character) Both of the children are moulded and shaped by their father Atticus, Jem more so than Scout, but this is probably down to his age, Atticus brings the children up to stand by their beliefs but to accept the beliefs and views of others, and to take a look at the way another person would see the situation. The teachings of Atticus have a profound impact on Jem. Jem is a role model for Scout, when Atticus is not around he acts in his stead. Here are a few qualities we see Jem develop through the course of the story.