Scout's Maturation Through Racial Understanding in To Kill a Mockingbird

Scout develops throughout To Kill a Mockingbird a similar belief in human rights and respect like her father, Atticus. In her own way, she begins to comprehend the cruelty and inequality thrust upon black people. Scout has many epiphanies throughout the book that give her a better understanding of the racism in Maycomb. Scout's views on racial prejudice are largely formed as a result of the trial of Tom Robinson. Scout's life is relatively sheltered until the trial. She knows that blacks are segregated but their lives do not touch Scout except for Calpurnia. Scout really isn't exposed to the harsh realities of bigotry until the trial. She endures remarks about her father being a "n lover" and then finally the travesty of injustice that happens to Tom Robinson. For the most, Scout is confused by the racism. She just does not understand where the hate and bigotry comes from. Scout loses much of her innocence because of racial intolerance, but she matures at the end of the book and is not a racist.

When Jem and Scout go to church with Calpurnia they are met, first, with hostility. Lula is not happy that white children are attending her church. This is an example of how racism can work in both directions. Notonly can white people be prejudiced but black people as well. However, just like not all white people display prejudice in this book, not all of

”Grandma says it's bad enough he lets you all run wild, but now he's turned out a nigger-lover we'll never be able to walk the streets of Maycomb again (). Atticus defending a black man is a point of contention within his own family, to the point where his family considers it wrong for him to do his job. Scout does not understand what her father is doing wrong, but she does not tolerate Francis insulting him. Scout finds out that not everyone considers her father a hero. Alexandra considers Atticus a traitor, if Francis reports