To Kill A Mockingbird Coming Of Age Quotes

To Kill a Mockingbird is not only a worthwhile read because of the gripping plot, but it’s also worth reading due to the encrypted life lessons the novel promotes. These values that the novel describes are important to life, and provide new perspectives on the world. Harper Lee introduces the values actions have consequences, people aren’t always how they seem, and to finally, protect the innocent in the coming of age story that is To Kill a Mockingbird. Lee does this by elaborating on different occasions where characters are perceived a negative way, perceived as guilty, and sheltering the innocence of some. Harper Lee introduces the life lesson that actions have consequences throughout multiple events in To Kill a Mockingbird. In chapter

Bob’s attempt shook up the town, and made townspeople turn completely against him. Heck Tate describes Bob as a “Low-down skunk with enough liquor in him to make him brave enough to kill children” that quote exemplifies the horrible opinions of his action, and exposes him for being an alcoholic (360). This describes the life lesson by showing how Bob did an awful thing, and how an awful thing happened right back to him. Tom Robinson’s action also led to him getting killed. Tom Robinson was put in jail for raping a white woman, Mayella Ewell even though Tom was innocent. Tom obviously was frustrated because of his unfair placement in jail, so he attempted to escape. Although he shouldn’t have been put in jail in the first place, he knew breaking out would break many rules and he could definitely get shot. Tom’s death gets a lot of attention from the town, at one point Atticus describes the event to Aunt Alexandra by saying “The guards called him to stop. They fired a few shots in the air, then to kill” (315). It can be perceived that Tom knew what he was doing when he escaped and knew he would get shot, but the event can also be described that he was genuinely trying to escape prison, but his

Atticus defends Tom Robinson in court, who was being accused of raping a white woman. Tom Robinson was innocent of the crime, but the verdict was guilty. Atticus doesn’t care about if Tom is black or white, he was just trying defend the man on trial who was wrongly accused. Atticus believes that innocence is “a truth” that “applies to the human race and to no particular race of men” ( 273.) This describes his eagerness to protect Tom, because of his unfair accusation. Another example of innocence in To Kill a Mockingbird is when Boo killed Bob ewell. Bob attempted to murder Jem and Scout, so Boo was in the right to defend them and kill Bob. Even if it was to protect the kids, Boo would still have to be on trial. Scout agrees with Heck Tate's decision to rule Bob’s death as a suicide, so Boo doesn’t have to be on trial. Scout describes putting Boo Radley on trial as “Shooting a Mockingbird” (370) because it would be harming the innocent. It would be unnecessary to make Boo go through the stress of this, especially with him being so shy in the first place. Protecting the innocent is a very important life value that would make the world a better place if everyone followed. This encourages people to do more good in the earth, and continue innocence. Harper Lee positively represents this virtue in the novel To Kill a