In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee presents a life of Jean Louis Finch, also known as Scout, growing up in a small town. The setting of the story takes place in Maycomb, Alabama in the 1960’s. Life for Scout growing up appears difficult because of the Great Depression, racial inequality, white supremacy, and peoples’ prejudiced mindset. In the beginning of the book, Scout’s character shows her innocence, her tomboyish side, her adventurous personality, and her ability to question and observe the goodness and evilness of society. By the end of the novel, Scout learns fighting does not fix everything, possessing lady-like characteristics obtain value and holding prejudiced thoughts reflects in every person’s life. Atticus Finch and Calpurnia instill fundamental advice into Scout that she needs for development and success in life.
Atticus Finch, Scout’s father, plays a key role in developing Scout’s character. Through the span of three years, Atticus teaches Scout many significant lessons. The first lesson teaches Scout to live with sympathy and to understand what others go through.
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Mockingbirds only “make music for us to enjoy… [they] sing their hearts out for us” (Lee 103). As a result of the teachings from Atticus, Calpurnia, and the town, the mockingbird perishes. Scout portrays a perfect mockingbird; in the beginning of the novel, she did not know many concepts except how to read and write. As time progresses, she sees the small town change and become insane. A mad dog wandering through the town represents this insanity; the “streets were still and the mockingbirds were silent” (Lee 108). This shows the impact on Scout’s life. Scout sees that with the trial of Tom Robinson, the town shows more hatred, racism, and inequality than ever before. Since Scout grows up with this, she experiences and hears dangerous things that destroy her