Loss Of Innocence In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

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In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, “one’s innocence may be lost when one is exposed to the reality of the cruel world of injustice and racism.” Lee displays the loss of innocence through many characters including Jeremy “Jem” Finch, and Jean Louise “Scout” Finch.

The loss of innocence is portrayed by many. One group are the children Jem and Scout Finch. Throughout the novel, the reader would notice that Scout and Jem maturing from the beginning to end. In the beginning, Jem and Scout believe that everyone in the world is equal. This purity is later eliminated when Tom Robinson’s case begins. They lose their innocence when they witness Tom Robinson be punished for the crime he did not commit. This is when Jem and Scout realize the world is not fair, that not everybody is treated equally. …show more content…

He was hard to live with, inconsistent, moody. His appetite was appalling.” (153). this shows signs of puberty and maturity, this causes Jem to lose the childhood innocence he used to have. This occurs near the end where he realizes something, “If there’s just one kind of folks, why can’t they get along with each other?” (259). and saying “Scout, I think I’m beginning to understand why Boo Radley stayed shut up in his house. It’s because he wants to stay inside.” (259). At this point, Jem realizes the reality of the cruel world he lives in. He now understands that people are discriminated against due to their skin colour. Tem has transformed from an innocent child into a child who learned many things throughout the novel. He learns to be aware of the unexpected, as he thought that the legal system would bring justice to Tom’s case with Atticus’s reason, but instead Tom is discriminated against and is found guilty for something he did not