Courage is a broad term. Is having courage being able to complete a crazy dare or being able to defend someone will no one else will? Courage is all about perspective, and that perspective is always changing, especially when we are maturing. Jem’s ideas and views on life have greatly changed throughout To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Those ideas and views were greatly influenced by having Atticus as a father. Jem, like any son, wanted to be like his father, and through maturing, he took the traits of his father to become his own. In three instances throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, Jem’s understanding of the racism in Maycomb, understanding life from Boo’s point of view, and telling Scout to not kill a bug, Jem is clearly maturing. “It ain't right” (284). Jem’s realization of the racism that runs deep through Maycomb County is one of the first glances we see of Jem maturing. Recognizing problems in the real world and deciding on how you feel about them is a huge part of growing up. Jem chooses to follow in his father's footsteps rather than jump in with the crowd and claim that all African Americans are bad. Jem’s decision to …show more content…
“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” (304). Understanding how others feel comes from developing your Emotional Intelligence, which can come from maturing. Jem is not only thinking of himself, but is now putting himself in others shoes. This is a very important trait to have in the real world, and also makes you a more just person. Also, this idea completely parallels Jem in the beginning of the novel. Jem was always questioning Boo’s reasons for staying inside, and he was using his best tactics to lure Boo out. Once again, this trait also was influenced by Atticus. Atticus never viewed himself as above anyone, and that trait has been passed onto