What Is Coming Of Age In To Kill A Mockingbird

Harper Lees, To Kill a Mockingbird, is a coming of age story where many life lessons are learned such as looking at things from other peoples perspective. In the beginning of the story, Scout is only able to see people from her point of view. Throughout the rest of the story, Atticus helps Scout grow from a young child to become more mature, from experience if not in age. When Scout has trouble with her new teacher Mrs. Caroline, Atticus suggests that she should look at things from other peoples perspective in order to better get along with them. Scout didn 't understand when Mrs. Caroline said, “Now you tell your father not to teach you anymore. It is best to begin reading with a fresh mind. You tell him I’ll take you over here and try to undo the damage” (Lee 19). Scout 's experience in school has helped her understand people better. When Miss Caroline offered Walter Cunningham a quarter and Walter didn 't except it, Scout informed Miss Caroline that he 's a Cunningham and Cunningham 's never take anything that they can 't pay back. Scout knew Miss Caroline didn 't know much since she was unfamiliar with the town, so she politely responded back to her, "That 's okay, ma 'am, you 'll get to know all the county folks after a

Before meeting Mr. Dolphus Raymond, the kids thought he was just a drunk who lives with his black wife and mixed kids. When they eventually met him, they realized that he 's just a nice guy who wants to live his life in peace and, “If I weave a little and drink out of this sack, folks can say Dolphus Raymond 's in the clutches of whiskey—that 's why he won 't change his ways” (Lee 15). Scout then later understands that he drink coke out of a paper bag because that 's what people would expect from him rather than accept and he “... cant help himself, that 's why he lives the way he does” (Lee 227). Scout realizes that he 's happy living his life with his family and would rather not be bothered by the negativity the rest of the