How Does Jem Mature In To Kill A Mockingbird

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TKAM Jem #2 In the book To Kill a Mockingbird, one of the main characters that matures and slowly changes is Jem, Scouts older brother. The author Harper Lee uses literary devices such as characterization and tone to show the reader the theme of development for Jem throughout the novel.
The novel uses characterization, which shows the reader Jem’s attributes, traits, and thoughts as a person. For example when Lee describes Jem through context in this quote, “Jem wanted Dill to know once and for all that he wasn’t scared of anything.” (Lee pg.17) This quote shows Jem at a very young age, at the very beginning of the book being childish and immature, showing the readers before e develops more maturity. Another example of characterization was in the novel its says “Who?” “Jem’s voice rose.” “Who in this town did one thing to help Tom Robinson, just who?” (Lee pg.288) This quote shows Jem’s maturity at one of his highest points, characterizing Jem, through the use of emotion and the capability to comprehend society. Characterization is a valid reason to define Jem’s bravery throughout …show more content…

In the novel it says “Jem stayed moody for a week.” (Lee 7.1) From this statement we see the tone in the book and Jem’s feelings adding to the bravery and maturity slowly growing in the book. Lee writes Scout saying “Judge Taylor was polling the jury: Guilty…guilty…guilty…guilty…” “I peered 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 21.50) By using tone the reader understands Jem’s frustration over an inhumane thing to do, showing Jem’s bravery with his feelings and his peak of maturity. Overall the quotes clarify that tone really shapes a person, especially Jem growing into a mature