How Does Scout Change In To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel by Harper Lee. It is about a young girl growing up and dealing with day to day life in a rural Alabama town. This young girl’s name is Scout, and throughout the book, her character changes a lot. Two areas of change would be her understanding of the people around her and manners.

At the beginning of the novel, Scout’s understanding of the people around her is lacking. She lives in a sheltered lifestyle, usually only interacting with Jem, Atticus, and Calpurnia. When Scout arrives at school for Grade 1, she meets Miss Caroline. She does not understand that Miss Caroline’s is a new teacher, and tries explaining Walter Cunningham’s actions just by saying “He’s a Cunningham.” (Page 20) At home, Atticus explains

When the children try and sneak a peek at Boo Radley, it ends with Nathan Radley firing his shotgun and Jem losing his pants. Jem does not talk much after the incident, and this time Scout tries following Atticus’ advice and puts herself in Jem’s shoes. This shows that she is trying to understand Jem’s actions by following Atticus' advice. At the Finch Landing, Francis calls Atticus a nigger lover and Scout chases after him. When he flees into the kitchen, Scout tells readers that “When stalking one’s prey, it is best to take one’s time. Say nothing, and as sure as eggs he will become curious and emerge.” (Page 83) This demonstrates an ability to understand how other people will react to her actions, which she hasn’t shown before. At the very end of the novel, after meeting Boo Radley, Scout tells Atticus that convicting Boo Radley of Mr. Ewell’s murder would be like killing a mockingbird. She knows the situation Boo would be in, had he been convicted, and realizes the repercussions. Afterwards, Scout realizes that Maycomb would perceive Scout walking Boo home as something not socially acceptable. Therefore, she makes the situation look like Boo is walking Scout home. This shows an awareness of not just an individual, but society in general. When they reach the porch, and Boo goes back inside, Scout sees all of the events of the novel from Boo’s perspective. With events like these, Scout becomes more aware of the situations she is