Examples Of Jem's Maturity In To Kill A Mockingbird

During everyone’s life, many changes occur. One of the biggest changes is when you become a teenager. You begin to grow physically, and while you may look different, what you experience through this time period defines who you are. This age is when people mature and learn about the world around them. Throughout the book To Kill a Mockingbird, we see characters evolve and mature. The theme of personal growth is a huge aspect in this story. However, some characters change more than others. Even though this story is told from Scout's point of view, we see her brother Jem mature throughout the whole book. Jem’s journey of initiation is a huge theme as we see him start as an adolescent boy and become a young man by the end. Atticus and many other

As he begins to understand more and more about adults, he becomes more aware of what’s happening in the town and the public’s opinion about the law case Atticus took. He also notices little details about Atticus. These details tell Jem that there is something to be worried about. Jem notices “He’s takin’ the car,”(Pg.169) and this causes him to worry because he knows Atticus only takes the car for important situations or business trips. Jem’s awareness of what is happening in Maycomb leads him to understand that Atticus is in a dangerous situation, causing him to follow him to the jail. Later, while Jem is at the jail, he watches Atticus from afar and scopes out the situation, instead of running in like Scout did. His understanding of what is occurring in the town and the clues he noticed before Atticus left are signs that Jem has become a more mature individual. Jem’s knowledge about adults are signs he is becoming an

The actions he takes demonstrate how he becomes a more mature individual throughout this book. Specifically, there are moments in the story where he learns what it means to be an adult, usually after learning a lesson from Atticus. During Tom Robinson’s trial, Jem looks on from the balcony fully expecting the jury to deliver the verdict that Tom is innocent. But, after the trial concludes, the jury determines that Tom is guilty, causing Jem to say, “It ain’t right, Atticus,” (Pg. 242). At this moment we see a change in Jem. When they return home, Jem throws himself onto the bed and is upset because he understands why the jury said Tom Robinson was guilty. He finally understands the effects of prejudice in a society. This is when he matures, because he finally sees the truth about the community around him. The effects of prejudice in his own town are evident to him, and he realizes the dark secrets about the adults. Throughout the story we see Atticus teaching his children lessons related to their current situation. The major theme is how Atticus guides Jem through his teenage years, showing him what it means to be a