In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, the reader follows Scout Finch through her childhood for several years. In this time, we see her grow, change and mature. There are also many examples of other characters who are immature and childlike, and those who are grownup. These characters are grownup in how they try to be understanding of people, don’t take part in gossip, and take responsibility for their actions instead of blaming others.
Part of being a grownup is trying to understand why people act the way they do. When Scout starts crying after a long day, Jem, instead of making fun of her, tries to comfort her (156). This shows that he has changed from the beginning of the book, when he would tease her for getting upset and scared. He has
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Bob Ewell is by far one of the meanest and most vulgar characters in To Kill a Mockingbird, but what makes him even worse is that he doesn’t act responsible for any of the bad things he’s done. He doesn’t take care of his children, and uses all the money they are given on alcohol. At the trial it is proven that he beat his daughter, Mayella (203). He then tried to put the blame on a black man. He took out his anger about losing the case by attacking Scout and Jem (262), instead of their father. A character who acts very differently to this is Atticus Finch. He took responsibility for Tom Robinson by taking his case, and the responsibility of the rumors being said about him by telling Scout and Jem, “hold your head up high and keep those fists down,” (76). He also took responsibility for the things that Bob Ewell won’t. When Bob took out his anger on Atticus by spitting in his face, the lawyer simply said, “If spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that’s something I’ll gladly take,” (218). Letting yourself be beat down for the safety of other shows, compassion, courage, and a lot of