Loss Of Innocence In To Kill A Mockingbird

In the Southern Gothic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee shows how each character can be innocent through different moments throughout the novel. The story tells of a little girl named Scout, who meets new people and learns how to be mature with all of the challenges she faces. Throughout the novel, she grows older and realizes that trusting other peoples’ words can hurt her in the long run. In To Kill a Mockingbird, characters’ actions illustrate how people mature as they grow.
Harper Lee teaches Scout innocence throughout the novel. Scout was racing past the Radley house when a tree caught her eye. In the tree was a piece of gum,“[Scouts] first impulse was to get it into [her] mouth as quickly as possible” (Lee 37). Scout displays

Tom was explaining what he had said and what he did to the jury when he said, “Mr.Finch, I tried. I tried to ‘thout bein’ ugly to her. I didn't wanta be ugly, I didn’t wanta push her or nothin’” (Lee 221). Tom Robinson clarifies his innocence when he tries to prove that he did not touch Mayella. Because of his race, everyone is trying to blame him for something he did not do. Lee provides this evidence in the novel to teach Tom Robinson that not everything in life goes your way. Which is going to influence the jury to choose a non-colored person. Atticus was leaving the post office when Mr.Ewell approached him and Atticus said, “Nothing happened. We’re scared for you, and we think you oughta do something about him” (Lee 249). Tom proves his innocence by not laying his hand on anyone else. When Tom uses his innocence on the good things, everyone else takes advantage of him and uses it against him. Lee conveys this message to show Tom that people in Maycomb can use things against you, no matter how innocent you are, which can hurt you. Tom Robinson and Atticus’ fight to prove that Toms’ innocence is the truth in doing so Lee shows that everyones’ opinion on each other can cause many different