Pivotal Events In To Kill A Mockingbird

Throughout Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout Finch intellectually develops from youth into maturity after a specific pivotal moment. Scout is a young tomboy from Maycomb, Alabama living during the Great Depression. Scout, having always punched and reacted violently to those who she does not agree with, develops into a mature lady and learns to thinks before she acts after seeing her Aunt Alexandra’s reaction to the death of Tom Robinson. The pivotal moment in which Scout Finch intellectually matures into a woman comes after seeing her aunt’s reaction to the death of Tom Robinson during a missionary circle meeting between the ladies of Maycomb. Scout notices how her Aunt Alexandra, even after hearing the shocking news of Tom Robinson’s death, continues to act ladylike

Having been excluded from Jem and Dill’s day at the creek, Scout had to spend her afternoon hours with Miss Maudie, Aunt Alexandra, and Calpurnia. According to Scout, Jem and Dill “had spent two afternoons at the creek, they said they were going in naked and I couldn’t come” (Lee 305). Jem and Dill refused to let Scout attend their day at the creek, and she was forced to stay at her house with Calpurnia and the ladies of the missionary circle. Scout was not looking forward to this event and wanted it to be over as soon as possible. She did not consider herself a “lady”, but rather a tomboy that did not enjoy any activities that a young lady would usually take part in. After Scout saw Aunt Alexandra’s reaction to Tom Robinson’s death, Scout knew that she had taken it hard. But Scout was surprised to see that Aunt Alexandra still managed to look poised and ladylike. Scout thought that “ if Aunty could be a lady at a time like this, so could I” (Lee 318). Scout knew that if Aunt Alexandra, who was emotionally shaken by this shocking revelation, could act like a lady and remain respectful and caring, Scout could too as