How Does Harper Lee Use Character Development In To Kill A Mockingbird

Perspective is one of the most essential components of conflict and misunderstanding. The world has seen “different perspectives” escalate into debates, negative relations, and even wars. The acquisition of these stubborn views upon the matters in life is sometimes traceable back to one’s childhood, where they customarily originate. Harper Lee brilliantly utilizes character development and the pressures of society to lead the reader through the transformation and maturing of Scout’s beliefs. A very meaningful character in the book is Boo Radley. He represents the outcasts of society’s standards, as he isn’t social and barely even comes outside. In fact, none of the kids have actually witnessed his presence. He resembles, in part, the very

From incriminating Robinson despite everything pointed to his innocence to shaming Atticus Finch for fighting for justice, there was a traditional injustice that would be very hard to break. Scout, at first, doesn’t understand what’s wrong with how people treated blacks. It’s all she knew. The quote, "You aren't really a nigger-lover, then, are you?" (Lee, C11) shows how Scout doesn’t understand why Atticus is choosing to go against the racist ways of the majority of town. She even questions his judgement, “‘Atticus, you must be wrong…’// ‘How's that?’// ‘Well, most folks seem to think they're right and you're wrong…’” (Lee, C11). This shows how the pressure of society influences Scout’s mindset to the point where she almost sides against her dad for his unprejudiced

She tried explaining to the teacher, “Miss Caroline, he’s a Cunningham” (Lee, C1). This showed her adult-like understanding of economical struggles experienced by the Cunningham family, but also displayed her misunderstanding of the fact that you should be more subtle when referring to someone’s difficult situation. Her mistreatment of the Cunningham name continues when she says, "He ain't company, Cal, he’s just a Cunningham” (Lee, C3). After disrespecting Walter Cunningham, Calpurnia’s lecture straightened her out to where she was able to ease tensions of the mob by talking to Mr. Cunningham about Walter. She learns to ignore people when they name-call herself and her father, which is a big improvement from her original violent mentality. She cuts down on swearing, as her father, and speaks more sophisticatedly than half of her town. She sees through her father’s claim that Mr. Ewell is all talk and takes precaution towards him. In the beginning of the story, she is seen as a very intelligent girl with a pinch of the young innocence and immaturity, but eliminates them as she progresses to the novel’s