The Importance Of Scout And Jem In To Kill A Mockingbird

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Around the world, children go to school for years to be taught many things, from simply learning how to read, to solving complex math equations. However, it is very common for them to go off into the real world, and never again use the information they were given. The topics they were expected to learn and remember in school may not always be as valuable as those taught by parents. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, two children, Scout and Jem, were given valuable lessons, that were especially helpful in the 1930s. These lessons were mostly taught by their father, Atticus Finch. He focused more on being socially and mentally smart rather than being school smart. The two children interacted with many different people with varied beliefs, and used the lessons given from neighbors and family other than those working in the school system. Time and time again, these children were taught at home and around town more valuable lessons than when they were inside a classroom.
At the age of six, Scout is taught …show more content…

Not only was it occurring in Scout and Jem’s hometown, but around the world. One summer, Calpurnia, a black woman and the Finch’s housekeeper, brought Scout and Jem to her church. Upon arrival, a woman named Lula criticized Calpurnia for bringing white children into a black church. Instead of leaving, Calpurnia argued, “It’s the same God, ain’t it?”, and continued to the pews (Lee 158). This displays that Calpurnia believes that the color of people’s skin does not mean people cannot have the same beliefs. From this encounter, Scout and Jem learned that reverse racism does exist between the two races, and that some people believe the two races should not join as one. It is very unlikely this is a topic would have been discussed Scout and Jem’s school, and especially in Miss Gate’s classroom. This demonstrates that the children learn a variety of lessons outside of school, from people with several different

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