Examples Of Conscience In To Kill A Mockingbird

“The one thing that doesn’t abide by the majority rule is a person’s conscience.”-Atticus

To Kill A Mockingbird is written by Harper Lee the novel focuses on the main character of Scout Finch and her journey to maturity through the notions of conscience, conviction and courage. The central themes explored throughout the novel are empathy, justice versus injustice and courage. Scouts journey to maturity is based upon the many lessons that she learns throughout the novel. The notion of conscience is displayed through the themes empathy and the binary of justice versus injustice. Atticus Finch is Scout’s unconventional father, considered the moral backbone of Maycomb and is accepting of everyone. On Scout’s first day of school she was reprimanded

At the beginning of the novel we see Scout, Jem and Dill believing the prejudice of those around them towards Boo Radley. They told stories, reenacted them and firmly believed that he was a ‘malevolent phantom.’ Scout is constantly reprimanded by her father for believing these stories. This is a learning curve for Scout. Arthur’s characterisation is understood through Scout. She no longer uses her strong conviction of him being a ‘malevolent phantom,’ liking him to more of a Guardian Angel. Scout also uses her understanding of prejudice to question her teacher Ms Gates. Ms Gates explains to her class the disgust of Hitler-that we shouldn’t hate someone because of their beliefs. However Ms Gates contradicts herself when she explains her prejudice towards negroes. Scout immediately recognises this contradiction: “Jem how can you hate Hitler so bad an’ then turn around and be ugly about folks at home?” This is a depiction of Scout’s characterisation when she truly sees through things that her own teacher

An example of courage is Mrs Dubose’s battle against her morphine addiction. Her characterisation is evident through Scout and Mrs Dubose’s encounters. Scout’s immediate belief is that Mrs Dubose is just an irate, angry woman. However as the situation occurs they visit her house and Jem reads to her everyday. They notice Mrs Dubose’s alarm clock and her frothing at the mouth however never seem to think anymore of it. Upon Mrs Dubose’s death they realise that she suffered from a morphine addiction. This is true courage as Mrs Dubose wished to die without an addiction to anything. She faced everyday of her life with struggle, agony and pain. Scout also learns the lessons of courage through her father. Atticus would not allow his children to acquire guns and looked down upon them. When asked about it Atticus teaches Scout a lesson she carries throughout her entire life. “I wanted you to see something about her-I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in is hand.” Atticus also shows exemplary courage. Atticus has gone against the beliefs of his town to defend Tom Robinson. He was ostracised and looked down upon, Scout could not understand her fathers choice. Atticus discusses his reason with her “If I didn’t I couldn’t hold my head up in town.” We can understand that Atticus is character of moral justice. He has enough courage to face the ostracism in