Innocence is the light in the world and each child is born with it. It’s only a matter of time until it’s ripped from them. In Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill A mockingbird, Scout, Jem and Dill’s childhood innocence are slowly wore away as they realize the world isn’t as bright as they think. The word “Dibs” can be a child’s downfall or their triumph. Only three letters give a child the security of a certain fate, but in a court trial, Jem’s eyes are opened to the possibility of losing no matter how you play your cards. “Guilty… guilty… guilty… guilty…” I peeked at Jem: his hands were white from gripping the balcony rail, and his shoulders jerked as if each “guilty” was a separate stab between them” (Lee 215).With Jem’s unbiased eyes, the evidence in court had proved Tom’s innocence without doubt. …show more content…
No matter how well one plays their cards or positions chess pieces or how Atticus delivered the evidence, there is always the possibility of losing. Jem ignorantly believed that Atticus could win a case defending a black man, because he saw no chance of the racism outside of the court following them inside. Jem only saw the evidences as it was, just as how the jury should have seen it. The jury sworn to make decisions without bias, yet still decided to send a innocent black man to his death. Scraping knees on playground tan bark from jumping off the slides prove that no danger can stop a child’s play, but to what extent will Scout and Jem realize that danger can lead to losing their father. “He could—” “You know he wouldn’t carry a gun, Scout. He ain’t even got one—” said Jem. “You know he didn’t even have one down at the jail that night. He told me havin‘ a gun around an invitation to somebody to shoot you” (Lee 221). Scout is not unfamiliar with the dealings of playground fist