Scout in To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Scout in To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee is a novel set in the United

States during the 1930's. This novel deals with the hardships of

growing up, among other important themes. Scout, the main character in

the book, underwent many challenges during her early life that

resulted in her maturing at a young age. Scout learned the meaning of

racism, courage, and tolerance (comprehension). Some characters that

contributed to her development were Atticus, Jem, Aunt Alexandra, Mrs.

Dubose, Tom Robinson, Calpurnia, and Boo Radley.

Racism was extremely common at that time. It was a social

discrimination that made a black person's life unbearable and

difficult. Throughout the whole novel, the oppression that was put

against all colored people is made clear. In her household, Scout

witnessed how Aunt Alexandra treated Calpurnia, their housekeeper who

was black, "'Put my bag in the front bedroom, Calpurnia,' was the

first thing Aunt Alexandra said…Calpurnia picked up Aunty's heavy

suitcase and opened the door." Chapter 13, pg. 127. One of the most

important events in the story was the Tom Robinson case. In this case,

a white man called Bob Ewell was accusing Tom, who is a black man, for

raping his daughter. As this trial unfolded itself, Scout noticed how

badly Tom was treated in court and in jail because of the color of his

skin. She also despised the way Bob Ewell's attorney was making Tom

look ridiculous and humiliating him in front of everyone in court. As

Scout grew up, she was constantly being exposed to the ways white

people discriminated black people. In spite of it, she was able to

always m...

... middle of paper ...

...ou're licked before, you begin but you begin

anyway and you see it through no matter what…She was the bravest

person I ever knew." Chapter 11, pg. 112. Scout learned that real

courage is measured by how you overcome difficult obstacles in your

life.

Scout learned the meaning of racism, tolerance, and courage during her

early life. She matured at a young age. Racism like the one directed

against Tom Robinson and Calpurnia helped her realize that it is

immoral to judge someone by the color of their skin. Tolerance helped

her accept everyone for what they are, and she learned what the real

meaning of courage is. Without a doubt, Scout was able to grow up so

quickly due to all the positive people in her life that stimulated her

as well as all the incidents that helped her create an opinion of her

own about society.