How Does Atticus Mature In To Kill A Mockingbird

Coming of age involves a time of successes and triumphs in a young adolescents life. Often, there are obstacles that need to be overcome to enter adulthood. This journey often shapes who they are becoming. In addition, Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird is about a story from the perspective of a young girl named Jean Louise Finch, known as Scout. Her father, Atticus Finch, is an attorney who tries to prove the innocence of a black man who is accused of rape. The book also involves a mysterious neighbour named “Boo” Radley who is known to be a recluse but yet, he saves Scout and Jem from getting killed. Throughout the story, Scout learns many teachings from her elders. An individual who does not mature and develop more each day, could result

in a world of inexperienced and unintellectual people. One example is that coming of age can prepare society for adulthood. This theme is revealed through scout’s relationship with her father, Atticus, their neighbour, Miss. Maudie and Calpurnia also known as a mother figure.
Throughout the book, Atticus has the strongest relationship with scout.

He teaches her multiple life lessons. Scout significantly looks up to her father in many ways. Atticus is an intelligent, brave, honest, fair, open-minded man and overall, an amazing single father of two. Through the quote of this book, “... you never really understand a person until you consider
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things from his point of view… until you climb into his skin and walk around in it” (Lee 33). This helps Scout realize that you often do not know what a person is all about until you are in
their shoes. Someone may be going through a hard time in their life, therefore we have no right to judge them. In addition, compromise is an important aspect in life. Atticus tells Scout “if you’ll concede the necessity of going to school, we’ll go on reading every night just as we always have” (Lee 35). During this time in the book, Scout did not want to go to school because Ms. Caroline would make them stop reading. Although, Atticus teaches Scout about compromise. If she continues going to school, Atticus will continue reading with her every night before

bed.
Miss. Maudie also plays an important in To Kill A Mockingbird , along with a significant role in Scout’s life. Miss. Maudie is a woman who lives across from the Finches, although, to the Finch family, she seems to be more than just a neighbour. Often, Miss. Maudie is seen outside gardening and she spends time talking to the children - but more so, Scout. She helps them better understand the community and the hard work of Atticus. Miss. Maudie is also very caring and
open-minded individual. “There are just some men who-who’re so busy worrying about the next world they’ve never learned to live in this one…” (Lee 50). This quote teaches Scout to live in the present. To not worry about the upcoming future and just to enjoy the current moment we are living in. If you spend too much time and energy concerning about what is next, you will forget to live in the present, and soon it will be too late. In addition, the innocence of living things should be respected and worthy. “... mockingbirds don’t do one thing but sing make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people's gardens, don’t nest in corncribs, they don’t do one thing but
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sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” (Lee 103). This quote teaches Scout about the innocence of these animals. It shows what beautiful creatures they are
and how all they do is sing for us. They don’t harm anyone. That’s why we should never kill a mockingbird. This quote also connects to the title of the book.
Lastly, Calpurnia is the black housekeeper of the Finch family.

She has taken care of Scout and Jem since they were babies. As a result of the kids losing their mother at a very young age, Calpurnia has been a mother figure for them. She raises them and teaches the children life lessons. She teaches them things such as respecting everyone, no matter who they are. “...don’t matter who they are, anybody sets foot in this house’s yo’ comp’ny, and don’t you let me catch you remarkin’ on their ways like you was so high and mighty…” (Lee 27). This quote is taken place during the time in the book when Walter Cunningham was invited over for dinner. He had not ate this well in a long time. He generously poured syrup on all of his food. Scout made many remarks about eating a lot, drowning his food in syrup and Walter being just a Cunningham., Calpurnia did not appreciate what Scout had to say. Therefore, this quote teaches her to respect everyone and to keep this to yourself if you do not have anything nice to say. Calpurnia also teaches Scout to be more independent. “Baby… I just can’t help it if Mister Jem’s growin’ up, he’s gonna want to be off to himself a lot now, doin’ whatever boys do, so you just come right on in the kitchen when you feel lonesome. We’ll find lots of things to do in here” (Lee 132). Calpurnia teaches Scout to not depend on Jem all the time. Calpurnia is always there to do stuff with Scout when she feels

alone.

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In conclusion, Atticus , Miss.Maudie and Calpurnia all play an important role in the book and have a large impact on Scout’s growth and her maturity throughout the book. Coming of age is a significant theme in To Kill A Mockingbird. Scout learns to compromise, to be independent, respect all people, live in the present, to be tolerant and about the innocence of mockingbirds. Finally, an individual should be open to learning something new each day in order for us to mature and succeed daily. Life is a never ending road to improvement and growth.