Analysis Of Scout's Maturity In To Kill A Mockingbird

What is maturity? It occurs when one reaches an advanced stage of mental development. Though, Jean Louise Finch went through much more than that. In the beginning of To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee portrays Jean Louise or “Scout” as an immature little girl who has much to learn. As the book goes on, Scout learns about racial injustice in her own community. She discovers the unsettling truth about the treatment of colored people in Maycomb county. All the while, her Aunt Alexandra stresses to her the difference between classes. Also, the case of Tom Robinson profoundly impacts Scout’s mindset. Throughout Harper Lee's novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout's growth is conveyed as she learns from her experiences and becomes more mentally and emotionally mature.

The immature Scout descripted at the beginning of the book changes and she shows growth when she realizes how important the Tom Robinson case is to her father. After walking away from Cecil Jacobs, Scout comments, “It was the first time I had ever walked away from a fight,” (Lee 77). Out of respect for her father, Scout backs down from the fight. She acts considerately and makes a smart and mature decision. Given that Scout fights often, her decision to not fight shows growth and self-control. Shackleford states, “Also evident throughout the novel is Scout's devotion to her father's opinions,” (109). To clarify, Scout demonstrates self-control because she respects her father. Atticus needs her cooperation to uphold his reputation and keep some amount of the town’s respect during the trial. Scout’s mature decision to mind Atticus’ wishes shows growth and improves her character.

Atticus gives Scout great advice throughout the book to help her learn the way of life in Maycomb. In chapter nine Atticus tells Scout, “‘Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win,’” (Lee 76). Atticus’ advice guides Scout’s decision making and helps her control her actions. Scout looks up to Atticus, so when he gives her advice she listens. Amanda Osheim remarks, “As Jem and Scout grow and mature they learn prudence as well as the other virtues from their father,” (212). In other words, Scout believes Atticus contains wisdom. Hence, she thinks he gives good advice. Atticus shares small bits of wisdom with Scout which pushes her to makes better decisions. The advice Atticus offers her raises the moral standards that Scout holds herself too. In short, Atticus induces the maturing of Scout’s charactering and expedites her growth.

The loss of Tom Robinson’s case and Tom’s death force Scout to mature because she witnesses the racial prejudice present in her town. Shortly after receiving the news of Tom’s death, Scout concludes, “If Aunty could be a lady at a time like this, so could I,” (Lee 237). Scout starts to accept the responsibilities placed upon her as a lady. She acknowledges the hypocrisy and prejudice of the ladies of Maycomb, yet she shows maturity by keeping her mouth shut. According to Shackleford, “Through observing the missionary women, Scout… is able to satirize the superficialities and prejudices of Southern women… When the women begin conversing about blacks in America, their bigotry—and Scout's disgust with it—becomes obvious,” (111). Although Scout cannot to do anything about the ladies in Maycomb, her mature mindset concludes that the ladies should not speak so disrespectfully. The scene painted here gives the reader insight into Scout’s morals. Scout grows because she becomes more aware of the injustice around her.

Scout’s experiences surrounding Boo Radley and the Radley house cause her to grow emotionally and gain a sense of understanding. At the end of the book, Scout’s understanding is illustrated when 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,” (Lee 279). Scout’s overwhelmingly considerate thought process proves that she starts to change her unkind ways. When comparing her earlier inconsiderate actions concerning Boo Radley to this line of thought, it shows much growth. Shackleford writes, “In coming to know Boo Radley as a real human being at novel's end, she recognizes the empowerment of being the other as she consents to remain an outsider unable to accept society's unwillingness to seek and know before it judges,” (113). Evidently, Scout begins to comprehend the unfortunately judgmental characteristics which Maycomb residents possess. In doing so she discover the mature ideal that she should not judge. The inconsiderate and judgmental quality Scout once possessed slowly fades away as she sympathizes for Boo Radley. As a result of her interactions with Boo Radley, her emotional maturity increases.

Given these points, the reader can easily see Scout’s growth builds upon itself, as clearly illustrated by the author. Atticus, who guides Scout with moral and virtue, spurs Scout’s mental growth. In addition to that, the onset of sympathetic feelings towards Boo Radley starts her on a path of emotional growth. Equally important, Tom Robinson’s case and the racial injustice in Maycomb force her to grow up. Readers can comprehend the importance of character growth after reading To Kill a Mockingbird. Growth brings Scout’s character to life. Consequently, readers who emotionally invest in Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird are not only inspired to grow, but they also grow emotionally alongside Scout as they decipher the emotions present in the book.