Scout Mature In To Kill A Mockingbird

Businessman Ziad K. Abdelnour once said that, “Maturity comes from experience, not age.” It is what we do and see in our lives that allows us to grow. Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, is a prime example of this fact. Her story follows the adventures of Jean Louise “Scout” Finch, commencing when she is six-years old and continuing until she is nine. It shows the world through a child’s eyes, from child fears and games, to the realization of world views, unfairness and racism. Events, like learning the true nature of a person, hypocritical teachers, learning that you can depend on others, and seeing different sides of people, cause her to change. This change then later effects decisions and understandings she makes. Different experiences in Scout’s life cause her to mature, and this new

Her experience with the lynch mob illustrates this concept. When the mob arrives at the jail, Scout does not comprehend the true nature of the meeting. This is shown when she runs into the middle of the mob and begins talking to one of the men. As she talks it becomes more and more evident to her that she is not understanding something. After a while she remarks, 'What’s the matter'(206). This statement shows that she does not comprehend that her and her families’ lives are in danger. It is not until later that Scout begins to grasp the danger she and her family had been in. After they arrive at their home Scout remarks, “The full meaning of the night's events hit me and I began to cry"(208). Her innocence and immaturity blind her from seeing the whole picture, but as she matures she is able to comprehend everything. That night she is shown her a different side of people that she has never witnessed. From this experience her understanding of people and their actions grows, which adds to her maturity. The matrity Scout gains from her expriences, affect her actions. One such action is when she stands up for a