Personal Growth In To Kill A Mockingbird

992 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: To kill a mockingbird harper lee moral development

Personal growth is the key to somebody growing up and maturing. A person does not gain any personal growth without maturing or having some kind of personal event that triggers the maturing. Harper Lee writes about a family in a small southern town in the 1930's. The story To Kill A Mockingbird shows how the Finch family goes through their own form of personal growth. Many people in this novel experience personal growth.

Jem Finch's personal growth progressed as a result of his growing ability to understand events and ideas, and his growing maturity. As Jem gets older, things come into a new light and understanding for him. This quote is from one of Jem and Atticus' discussions.

" ‘Atticus,' he said, ‘why don't people like us and Miss Maudie ever sit on juries? You never see anybody from Maycomb on a jury—they all come out in the woods.' "(Ch. 23; p. 221)

In this quote Jem is asking why people who are not influenced by prejudice are not serving on a jury. Because Jem is starting to think about things and question them, he is showing that he is growing up and maturing. Another example of Jem's personal growth was when Jem was talking to Scout. He is replying to a comment of hers about what kind of people there are in the world.

" ‘If there's just one kind of folks, why can't they get along with each other? If they're all alike, why do they go out of their way to despise each other?' "(Ch. 23; p. 227)

Jem is asking questions about Scout's previous comment in this quote. In his questioning of Scout's comment he is proving that he is starting to see things in a new and different light. Atticus Finch is also another good source of personal growth.

Atticus Finch contributed more to the others personal growth than to his own. Atticus would give his advice to Jem and Scout and they would remember these things and follow by them. This quote is from one of Atticus' speeches.

" ‘: you just hold your head high and keep those fists down. No matter what anybody says to you, don't let ‘em get your goat.

Show More
Related

  • Jem´s Maturity in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

    688 Words  | 2 Pages

    “Maturity is the ability to think, speak and act your feelings within the bounds of dignity. The measure of your maturity is how spiritual you become during the midst of your frustrations.” is a quote from Samuel Ullman. This describes the struggles that Jem went through by taking part in the community and trial and by also taking the risk of losing some of his friends and family in Harper Lee’s, To Kill a Mockingbird. Through Jem’s interaction with the racism of Maycomb, he became aware of the things around him. We all learn that it takes a strong person to overcome the barriers of society.

    Read More

  • Coming of Age in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird

    902 Words  | 2 Pages

    At the start of Part Two, Jem starts to grow to be a more mature person and develop a want for wisdom and knowledge. “In addition to Jem’s newly developed characteristics, he had acquired a maddening air of wisdom.” (116) In this quote, Calpurnia is speaking to Scout letting her know that the reason for Jem’s sudden changes is that he is growing up and is almost a young man. Jem is beginning to mature mentally. Jem wants to become more ...

    Read More

  • Boo Radley Innocence Quotes

    719 Words  | 2 Pages

    Jem shows that he is growing up in many different ways. For example, he shows this when he goes back to the Radley house to retrieve his pants. “Atticus ain’t ever whipped me since I can remember. I wanta keep it that way.” (Jem 75) The fact that Jem went back to get his pants was a brave decision. This quote shows that he is maturing because he didn’t want Atticus to whip him, but not because he was afraid, because he didn’t want Atticus to go through the pain of having to whip his child. A quote that describes Jem at the moment is "We have not passed that subtle line between childhood and adulthood until we move from the passive voice to the active voice--that is, until we have stopped saying 'It got lost,' and say, 'I lost it.'"(Sydney J. Harris). In addition to Jem’s developing characteristics, he acquired a load of wisdom. Jem shows a loss of innocence, after his perfect view of the world is shattered right in front of his eyes. For example, “I always thought Maycomb folks were the best folks in the world, at least that’s what they seemed like.”(Jem 288) This is important because Jem realizes that Maycomb folks aren’t that great. This also shows that he saw the prejudice in the people, and how racist they were to African Americans. As Jem matures and starts developing a new eye for the world, he slowly starts to lose his childhood innocence and is exposed to the wrong doings of the

    Read More

  • Jem's Growth in Harper Lee’s Novel, To Kill a Mockingbird

    1278 Words  | 3 Pages

    Jem Finch has come a long way since his humble beginnings as a naive ten year old child. He has come to understand the real meaning of courage, gone from playmate to protector for his sister and has grown enough to understand the workings of the real world, and see the negatives and positives of society. His maturity has been quick and the changes great, and over the years he has come to adhere, respect and carry out Atticus`s legacy and use his father`s ideals to shape his lifestyle. Due to the course of events, his adolescent changes and Atticus`s influence, Jem has matured from a reckless child into a young man capable of making his own decisions.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Frida Kahlo And Barbara Kruger

    1090 Words  | 3 Pages

    Frida Kahlo is known for the most influential Latin American female artist. She is also known as a rebellious feminist. Kahlo was inspired to paint after her near-death bus incident when she was 17. After this horrendous incident that scarred her for life, she went under 35 different operations. These operations caused her extreme pain and she was no longer able to have kids. Kahlo’s art includes self portraits of her emotions, pain, and representations of her life. Frida Kahlo was an original individual, not only in her artwork but also in her

    Read More

  • Jem Quotes Courage

    477 Words  | 1 Pages

    Even though Jem is growing up and maturing he has some naive view of the community he live in. We see that in trial of Tom Robinson. Jem is convinced that the jury is going to rule in favor of Tom. But as we know Tom is convicted. This surprises Jem. He doesn‘t understand and can‘t accept it. However everybody else know that the ruling is never going to be in Toms favor. He sees the world only as black and white although he is learning that it is not that simple. Through the story Jem learns about the injustice, racism and discrimination in his

    Read More

  • Scout And Jem Mature In To Kill A Mockingbird

    1119 Words  | 3 Pages

    When something serious happens that would normally not happen until adulthood, it forces a child to “grow up” such as going through a loss or another difficult time. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, numerous situations occur which cause Scout and Jem to mature and “come of age”. Throughout the book, Scout and Jem face several complicated situations, for example, there are many cases in which people verbally attack Scout and her family. Scout has to learn to control her anger and to not get in fights with those who provoke her. In the novel, Scout and Jem encounter numerous circumstances which cause them to mature and “grow” such as reading for their neighbor, the trial for which their father is a lawyer, and having to defend their dad while controlling their anger.

    Read More

  • Frida Kahlo

    615 Words  | 2 Pages

    Frida Kahlo nació el 6 de Julio 1907 en la ciudad de México. Ella les dijo a muchas personas que nació el 7 de Julio 1910 porque quiso parecer más joven a los otros. Aunque sus padres fueron judíos, Frida nació en México. Frida fue una artista surrealista y sus obras vió de sus emociones de la tristexa y la cólera de su vida. Ella le encantó decir los chistes, reír, y sonreír. Frida Kahlo llevó las ropas de la cultura tradicional de México porque pensó que las ropas fueran una forma del arte. Todo el mundo admiró mucho a Frida, a causa de sus obras y su actitud.

    Read More

  • Growth and Maturity in To Kill a Mockingbird

    1005 Words  | 3 Pages

    Over all, the characters in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee have grown and matured throughout the whole novel. Boo’s maturity development is shown when he faces his fear of being with the outside world, Aunt Alexandra having some difficulties facing prejudice but, becoming more accepting of others, and Scout developing and learning lessons that she could apply to her everyday life. It shows that no matter whom the person is or what their troubles are, they all grow and mature in their own unique ways.

    Read More

  • How Frida Kahlo's Experiences Influences Her Artwork

    1376 Words  | 3 Pages

    Frida Kahlo was an amazing woman whose many tragedies influenced her to put her stories into her paintings. She was born in July 6th 1907 to a Mexican Roman Catholic mother who was of Indian and Spanish decent and a German photographer father. Frida had three sisters, Mitilde and Adriana, who were older and Christina who was younger. She learned about Mexican history, art and architecture by looking at her father’s photography. When Frida was six she got polio and it was a long time before she would heal completely. After surviving polio, Frida’s right leg became weak and thin, so her father encouraged her to play sports to help her.

    Read More

  • Atticus As A Model Parent

    482 Words  | 1 Pages

    Atticus is always guiding Jem and Scout with advice so that they will become more compassionate people. Atticus sets a good example for the children when Mr Ewell confronts him. Even though he is provoked and insulted, Atticus simply has a “peaceful reaction”. This shows the children never to get into fights with people when they are upset about something. Atticus shows children about courage and all the forms it appears in. When Jem is told to read for Ms Dubose and she dies, Atticus explains to Jem about her morphine addiction, and how she died “free”. This shows Jem that courage isn’t always where you expect to find it, and that if you have some compassion, you see people for who they really are. The most important piece of advice he gives his children is that “you never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” This is important for the children to know, because it helps them to be more caring people, and they use this advice throughout the novel.

    Read More

  • To Kill a Mocking Bird - Maturation

    1082 Words  | 3 Pages

    Throughout the novel, Atticus’ assistance to Jem and Scout’s development becomes evident. Atticus takes every opportunity to attempt to teach his children the importance of having an open-mind. For instance, when Scout queries Atticus about Maycomb’s prejudice perspective, he tells her, “You never really understand a person until…you climb in their skin and walk around in it.” (Lee 30) Even during the early stages of the novel, it is apparent that Atticus endeavors to instill the values of empathy and tolerance within Jem and Scout by teaching them how to have multiple perspectives on a situation. In addition, Atticus also attempts to enlighten his children about peaceful resolution in society. For example, when Atticus is chosen to defend Tom Robinson, Atticus tells Scout, you might hear some ugly talk about it at school but…you just hold your head high and keep those fists down.”...

    Read More

  • The Legacy Frida Kahlo

    1030 Words  | 3 Pages

    Fuentes, C. (1995). The Diary of Frida Kahlo An Intimate Self-Portrait. New York: A Times Mirror Company.

    Read More

  • To Kill A Mockingbird Life Lessons Analysis

    1025 Words  | 3 Pages

    Life is full of lessons. The lessons you learn adjust and fit your character and who you are. In the book, To Kill A Mockingbird, the characters of Jem and Scout are young, and have to figure life as they go. Jem and Scout witness and live through life lessons. They learn these lessons from others around them. Some lessons come from their town itself, while others come from people. Their father, Atticus, teaches them a lot about life and the right and wrong. Jem and Scout learn what it means to have empathy, courage, persistence and personal integrity. Also, the Mockingbirds themselves adjust and appoint life lessons.

    Read More

  • Frida Kahlo: A Life In Pain

    1171 Words  | 3 Pages

    Fuentes, Carlos. "Introduction ." In Diary of Frida Kahlo: An Intimate Self-Portrait, 16. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Incorporated, 2001.

    Read More

More about Personal Growth In To Kill A Mockingbird

Open Document