How Is Scout Presented In To Kill A Mockingbird

Most young children are yet to discover that there is more to life than themselves. In this particular novel, the main character Scout, tends to think more about herself than others. Although she attempts not to do so, her childish self-kicks in which results in selfish actions. For example, Scout is heated that her cousin Francis, is disrespecting Atticus because he is defending an African American. Although Scout does not understand the meaning of a “nigger lover”, she simply assaults Francis because of the humiliation she faces and the tone of his voice. Scout disobeys Atticus's orders and harms Francis. In front of her uncle, Scout has the audacity to “split [her] knuckle to the bone on [Francis’s] front teeth. [Her] left impaired, [Scout]

To overcome this ignorant state, they must experience something beyond their idealities and their comfort zone. It is better to be aware about an unfamiliar world rather than to be naive of it. Scout is uneducated about the meaning of rape and is not alert about the consequences and the dangers of it. Since Calpurnia did not inform Scout about what rape is, she decides to ask her Father after returning home from Calpurnia's church. Atticus begins to explain a child-friendly version of what rape is. Scout foolishly replies, “Well if that’s all it is why did Calpurnia dry me up when I asked her what it was?” (181). Even after Atticus explains what rape is to the best of his ability, Scout still seems to be clueless. As the novel progresses, Scout receives a reality check and immediately realizes how she has the wrong perception of rape the entire time. During Bob Ewell’s turn to speak during the Tom Robinson trial, he mentions that he saw “that black nigger yonder ruttin’ on my Mayella!” (231). Immediately after, Scout and her innocence become scarred, but she tries her best not to show it. Subsequently, Scout’s brother, Jem, discusses the subject of rape in front of Scout again. Jem is expressing his opinion to Reverend Sykes saying “it wasn’t rape if she let you, but she had to be [18] in Alabama that is