Adversity in to Kill a Mockingbird Essay Sample

“It is your reaction to adversity, not the adversity itself, that determines how your life story will develop.”

Harper Lee's classic To Kill A Mockingbird is typically dismissed as  high school literature, yet the journey of Scout through the book is an astonishing display of growth that no other book has yet to duplicate. Through experiences, adversity imparts Scout life lessons such as respect, integrity, and compassion.

Our parents strive diligently to shape us into respectful adults while we are young. Scout learned this first hand since her father, Atticus, became a role model for her. As a child, she had always been a bit adventurous, which may be difficult to deal with as a parent. Atticus, on the other hand, used his honourable parenting to instill respect in Scout. Being forced into situations of mockery because of her fathers work, Scout often had trouble containing her anger towards others. In fact, Scout's temper is on display right at the start of Chapter 3 of the novel, when she is sparring with Walter Cunningham, a classmate she claims has "set her off on the wrong foot." Her longing to protect herself as well as her family has gotten her into quite some trouble, but Atticus managed to show her how the world works. “You never really understand a person until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” This comment demonstrates Atticus' desire for his children to get along with others and be valued for who they are. Scout's life was evidently not without its share of taunts, partly thanks to her family's name, and her reaction to adversity. However, once she recognised that her family's work would not change, but her behavior could, she vowed to treat others the way she felt was right, and she remained steadfast once she achieved it.

Developing a sense of righteousness is not something that can be attained in a flash. In practice, cultivating that morality within oneself takes years of practice. Probity is a key theme in To Kill a Mockingbird, having Atticus portraying it the most. Many might presume that having a father with such high morals would be passed down to Scout instantly, but Scout needed time to grasp. Scout had a falling out with her cousin, Francis, before learning to respect others. When he verbally accosted Atticus with racial obscenities, she hit him. Scout's inclinations to physical aggression can be shown here. On the other hand, Scout remains confident as the story continues, when Atticus' case is revealed and the Finches are shunned. Consequently, this is notably amazing given her refusal to fight, which was previously her lone means of self-defence. Scout has grown throughout the novel, from a naive impulsive girl, to a grown mature kid, through her life lessons she learned along the way.

Scout came to understand many things in her life as she gained experience. She learned to be kind to others in addition to her respect and integrity. Scout wasn't the societal standard of a young girl since she had an older brother, and also lived in a community where racism and sexism coexisted. Scout was scrutinised on a daily basis for many of her habits, from her clothing to her behaviour. Scout was expected to be "ladylike," courteous, and sophisticated in town, although her older brother Jem could be harsh or crude. Scout's aunt Alexandra was particularly enamoured of the cliché of a typical young girl, and she did her utmost to mould Scout into that image. Because of this behaviour, compassion was never one of Scout’s strongest qualities. Even yet, you can watch her conduct evolve throughout the literary work. With  Calpurnia, on the other hand, Scout began the storyline with a negative attitude toward her and would think venom of her. When she let her guard down, though, she began to exhibit warmth and finally felt close to the housekeeper. This shows how others' influence can dictate our growth, positive or negative.

Everyone in Scout's entourage aided her in becoming the person she was meant to be. All of her adversity strengthened her and helped her discover important crucial values like civility, ethics, and empathy. With none of those folks in her life, she might not have blossomed into the poised, self-assured young lady she is now. Life's hardships, no matter how arduous, help to shape us. We are who we are as a result of our previous experiences, and this, benefits us in the future.