Essay On How Jem Mature In To Kill A Mockingbird

Throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee’s main characters, Scout and Jem Finch, undergo a series of life changing events forcing them to mature and understand their society ahead of their time.

Many events have affected how both Scout and Jem have matured, and gives the reader an idea of who they’ll be later in life. One of their biggest encounters was on halloween night when," He was running, running toward us with no child's steps. 'Run, Scout! Run! Run!' Jem screamed. I took one giant step and found myself reeling: my arms useless, in the dark, I could not keep my balance. 'Jem, Jem, help me, Jem!'" (261) This is one of the most important factors in how Jem and Scout mature by showing them that they can’t always depend on each other

When Atticus catches them acting out Boo’s life, he says,"'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.’Jem seemed to swell a little. 'I didn't say we were doin' that, I didn't say it!’ Atticus grinned dryly. 'You just told me,' he said. 'You stop this nonsense right now, every one of you'" (49). After this interaction with Atticus, Jem grasps the concept of being respectful to other people, no matter how weird they may seem. Putting on a show of Boo’s life was not respectful at all, and after a while Jem seems to realize that. AFter the trial, Jem reveals his thinkings to his sister, "'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’" (Lee, 227). Jem is finally growing up, and is beginning to see how the world is not always such a great place. With this realization, he decides that Boo Radley might want to stay inches house because of how horrible people are in their society and the poverty all around. When Scout was about to smash a rolly polly, Jem stops her and she says, "'Why couldn't I mash him?' I asked. 'Because they don't bother you,' Jem answered in the darkness. He had turned out his

One day, Atticus teaches Scout, "'You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…until you climb into his skin and walk around in it'" (30).Throughout the book, Atticus gives Scout a lot of advice on life, which she seems to take to heart. After Atticus tells her his advice, Scout obtains a better understanding of what it means to truly understand someone else. Calpurnia furthers Atticus’ teachings by saying, "'It's not necessary to tell all you know. It's not ladylike -in the second place, folks don't like to have someone around knowin' more than they do. It aggravates 'em. You're not gonna change any of them by talkin' right, they've got to want to learn themselves, and when they don't want to learn there's nothing you can do but keep your mouth shut or talk their language'" (126). Calpurnia also opens Scouts eyes to a whole new concept of being polite and “ladylike”. Through her interaction with others, Scout appears to understand what Calpurnia means, and uses this newfound wisdom throughout the rest of the story to talk and help other people. Scout tries to cheer up Atticus by, "Atticus looked like he needed cheering up. I ran to him and hugged him and kissed him with all my might. 'Yes sir, I understand,' I reassured him. 'Mr. Tate was right.’ Atticus disengaged himself and looked at me. 'What do you mean?