To Kill a McKingbird

It's interesting to see the ways different authors depict how a character matures, a stage that many of us have been through. In Harper Lee's novel, To Kill a Mocking Bird we can easily see how she chose to do it. The novel is set in Alabama in the 1930's, while black vs. white racism was a big issue and problem for many. Atticus is the father of Scout and Jem, young children who witness the discrimination first hand when their father, a white man, defends a black man in court. Lee does a great job developing the characters; especially the narrator, Jean Louise Finch (Scout). Scout's thoughts, conversations, and actions, illustrate that she's emotionally maturing from the innocent child that she was.

Through Scout's thoughts, it's obvious that she is growing up. Readers can see this early in the novel in chapter six. Jem and Scout weren't as close as they used to be mostly because Jem was maturing suddenly and fast. He and Dill started leaving Scout out because she was too "girly". Scout doesn't like this at first when she says, "It was then I suppose that Jem and I first began to part company. Sometimes I did not understand him, but my periods of bewilderment were short-lived" (61). The fact that she accepts this, something not many young girls would do, shows that she too is maturing a bit. Thoughts that show Scout is maturing also come near the end of the novel. Although Atticus would always tell her to stand in other's shoes and see things from their point of view, it never really came through to her. Not until she stands on Boo Radley's porch after he saves her and Jem from Bob Ewell. She states, "Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. Just standing on the Radley porch was enough" (297). Standing on the porch lets Scout finally see things from Boo Radley's point of view. Earlier in the novel, she was terrified every time she passed the house. Now as she stands on his porch, the way that she sees things has changed. The reader must realize that Scout herself has changed as well.

As well as thoughts, the conversations and interactions between Scout and other characters show how she is mentally and emotionally aging. Near the end is where it's more obvious that Scout has matured. After the Finch's are safe from Bob Ewell, they go back to the house with the sheriff, Mr. Heck Tate. When asked who was at the scene, Scout pointed to the man in the corner of the room. She described to the readers that "...our neighbor's image blurred with my sudden tears. 'Hey Boo', I said" (270). This is the first and definite indication that Boo is a good man. Even though Scout had never seen him before, she realizes who he is. Scout is brought to tears because this is the first time that she realizes that the man that she used to fear the most had cared about her and saved her life. The fact that she notices this shows her mental growth undoubtedly. After Boo had saved the children, Mr. Tate explained to Atticus that they should cover up for Boo, the man who had just stabbed Bob Ewell, and Atticus finally agreed. He wasn't sure if Scout had understood all that was said and done until Scout describes,

Atticus looked like he needed cheering up. I ran to him and hugged him and kissed him with all my might. 'Yes sir, I understand,' I reassured him. 'Mr. Tate was right.' Atticus disengaged himself and looked at me. 'What do you mean?'--'Well, it's be sort of like shootin' a mocking bird, wouldn't it?'" (276).