What does moral education mean to you? What about life lessons? Did you need a difficult situation to help you learn these lessons? For Jem and Scout Finch, it took extremely dark times to learn these lessons. In To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Jem and Scout learn many life lessons. The children's father, Atticus, takes on a strenuous case involving racism in the the southern town of Maycomb. When the innocent African American man is ruled guilty, the children learn about moral education and the reality of their imperfect town. Jem and Scout each learn many meaningful lessons throughout this novel: the drive to stay positive, do what is right, and the truth about some folks. First and foremost, the children couldn’t have made it through …show more content…
the rough times without the drive to stay positive. Particularly, when Miss Maudie’s house burnt down, she always stayed positive and looked on the bright side of things. After the loss of her own home, Miss Maude didn’t grieve, she found the good in her situation and made it known to others. “... she still took a lively and cordial interest in Jem’s and my affairs” (Lee 83). The children were baffled because Miss Maudie showed interest in their lives, even as her’s was in shambles. Furthermore, Atticus showed the children how to have hope, even at the worst of times. Jem was extremely upset when Tom was found guilty; however, Atticus reassured him by explaining that there would definitely be an appeal. This small act not only put Jem’s worries to rest, but also showed both of the children light in the darkest of situations. Without the motivation to stay positive, the children couldn’t have made it through the difficult times. Equally important, Atticus teaches Jem and Scout that they should always do what is right, even if it is difficult. For example, Scout expressed that Atticus “... don't ever do anything to Jem and me in the house that he don't do in the yard” (Lee 51). Scout is attempting to defend her father and show that he is always himself. Some folks will put up a civil image, but beat their children behind closed doors; however, an honest man like Atticus would never do such things. By being this way, Atticus teaches Jem and Scout that being honest about yourself is always the right thing to do. Another example is pertaining to the case Atticus took. Although Atticus knew that he would lose the case and be judged for taking it, he did what was virtuous and strived to win. Most lawyers in the south would’ve refused to defend the colored man, Tom Robinson. However, Atticus knew that he couldn’t fulfill his duties as a father if he couldn’t show his children what was honorable. This trial had some serious affects on Jem, but even though he saw some wicked in the world, he could still took to his father as an exemplar. Jem and Scout learned to do what is right, even when it’s difficult. Above all, Jem and Scout learn that the reality of some people in Maycomb may not be like they originally thought.
In the beginning, Jem was a boy who thought that everyone in the world was truthful and honest; however, this aspiration was brought to an end when he witnesses an innocent man found guilty by a court jury. Jem was certain that Tom would be proven innocent due to lack of genuine evidence against him. Even though Jem didn't know the people of the jury, he had faith that they would naturally do the right thing. “I always thought Maycomb folks were the best folks in the world, least that’s what they seemed like” (Lee 246). This event opened Jem’s eyes as he began to see not only his town, but the human race in a different way. In addition, Tom Robinson being wrongly accused of rape continued to eat away at Jem. When Scout approached Jem later on in the novel and commented on the case, he was irate and shouted at her to never bring it up again. Scout couldn’t seem to understand why Jem acted so agitated. Jem was older, and his entire view of the world was completely shattered. Scout was younger, and even though she understood that what happened to Tom was wrong, her world and point of view wasn’t turned upside down. Not only did Jem grow agitated when someone brought the trial up, he also attempted to forget the outcome by pushing it to the back of his thoughts. Jem’s innocent perspective on his home was
destroyed. Jem and Scout each learned the valuable lessons of staying positive, always doing what is right, and the reality of people. Tom Robinson was wrongly convicted of raping a white female. Although this may seem like just another case, it changed the lives of Jem and Scout Finch. Their father always taught them to do what is right, which is why the children are so baffled when they learn that maybe not everyone is so honest and truthful. While the lives and views of the Finch children may have shattered, they were pieced back together with valuable life lessons. Perhaps moral education is the type of weight that cannot be shoved to the back of your mind. Perhaps, these lessons, that may seem like simple childhood memories, are something you’ll carry with you for the rest of your life.
In Harper Lee's "To Kill A Mockingbird" shows and teaches many lessons throughout the passage. Some characters that learn lessons in this passage are Scout, Jem, and Dill. Scout and Jems father Atticus, is taking a case that affects their lives in so many ways. They all learn new things throughout the story and it impacts their lives greatly. There are lots of things including the trial mostly that change the perspective of the world they live in. The kids are living in the Great Depression and it shows just how bad things really where. Scout, Jem, and Dill have experiences that force them to mature and gain new insight.
When children grow up, they face difficult problems, and. they learn to cope and take responsibility. To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, is a flashback about two kids that spans over a few years. Jem ages from ten to thirteen over the course of the novel, and undergoes much change, as his sister describes him. Over the years, he is exposed to issues adults face, and eventually shows an understanding of racism and innocence. As Jem grows up, his view on courage also changes. Jem follows his father's footsteps, and gets much of his knowledge from him.
The characters in To Kill A Mockingbird change a lot throughout the book.Some changed for good and others for bad but in my opinion jem has changed the most. Jem has changed the most in this book because he becomes more mature and starts seeing boo radley for who he really is.
During the court scene a lot of difficult things happen and it becomes a very hard case for Atticus to solve and explain. Jem and Scout are both very upset about Tom Robinson being accused of the things he didn’t do. Atticus begins to tell Jem that it’s going to be okay and that he wants Jem to not worry about what the outcome is. Atticus is trying to teach him that even if the case doesn’t go the way they wanted and the way that it was supposed to go, that they still did the right thing and that they would keep trying to help Tom Robinson in any way they could. This is what Atticus tells Jem, “Link, that boy might go to the chair, but he’s not going till the truth’s told.” “Atticus’s voice was even. And you know what the truth
Jem knew from the start that Tom Robinson had no chance in winning a case against the Ewells. However, he deluded himself into thinking that that maybe the jury will be accepting and open-minded in that one case. Of course, that’s not what happened in the end; Tom Robinson is found guilty, causing Jem to question whether or not Maycomb is really the same as he remembered it from his childhood. This change in Jem especially shows when Scout comes to ask him about Hitler’s hatred towards all Jewish people during the Holocaust; Scout ends up comparing what her teacher said in class versus what that same teacher said outside the courthouse after the trial, and Jem was instantly reminded of the verdict:
This especially comes in to play after Tom Robinson’s trial is over, and he is tried guilty. Jem learns that Tom never had a chance and would have never been tried fairly, just because he was black. As the judge was saying guilty, Scout, “Peeked at Jem: his hands were white from gripping the balcony rail, and his shoulders jerked as if each "guilty" was a separate stab between them” (Lee 282). The quote shows how much he cares that an innocent man is being cheated out of his life. After the trial, Jem became gloomy because he knew in his heart that Tom would have to die because he was unfairly tried. This shows coming of age because Jem never had thoughts about how the black community were poorly treated before. So now he is growing up and thinking for himself, instead of just listening to the racists in Maycomb. Jem later forms his ideas about the Ewell family and how they are trash people from his father when he explains that if a white man cheats a black man, the white man is trash. Jem also has the mindset of an adult when he tells Scout, “It’s time you started bein’ a girl and acting right!” (Lee 153). This quote explains that Jem learns what is expected from them. He thinks like the other adults that want Scout to act more like a girl. All of these examples show Jem has a real coming of age story throughout the
Jem displays values like compassion and tolerance by believing that all men are created equal no matter which race, religion, or attitude they have. He shows this when he hears the verdict of Tom Robinson's trial. 'It was Jem's turn to cry. His face was streaked with angry tears as we made our way through the cheerful crowd. 'It ain't right,' he muttered, all the way to the corner of the square where we found Atticus'; (212). This is the first time he realizes that there was injustice in the world. He slowly matures and begins to understand that there are such thing as prejudice and racism.
In the book To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee Writes about the life lessons Atticus teaches Jem and Scout. Atticus teaches Jem and Scout Different life lessons in order for them to learn how to cope with different situations and problems. Atticus teaches his kids to treat others with respect, he also teaches his kids that having manners and being polite will go a long way. Atticus teaches his kids the importance of equality and by treating people equally you will be treated with respect.
This trial reveals to Scout and Jem that their view of innocence isn’t the same as everyone else’s. The verdict of the trial deeply devastated them because they couldn’t comprehend the idea of him going to prison for something he didn’t do. Months before the trial they, wouldn’t have cared if he was innocent or guilty just because they didn’t like the negative attention the trial brought. They started to care after they started to mature and realize just how unfair and inhumane the trial was. Conflict is something that obviously helped shape the changing views of innocence throughout the
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.
During our lives, we develop morals and values through life experiences. They can be influenced by our society and the people we surround ourselves with. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee demonstrates courage, social inequality and prejudice through the characters and events in the book. We experience life lessons through the protagonist Scout Finch as she develops her own values. This is displayed through a variety of life lessons and values throughout the novel.
After Tom Robinson’s trial, Scout reveals Jem’s feelings. “It was Jem’s turn to cry.” Scout uncovers, “His face was streaked with angry tears as we made our way through the cheerful crowd,” (TKAM 284). Jem understands the trial is not fair because of race. He is mature enough to realize this while Scout is not.
Jem and Scout’s maturity over the story is comparable to a caterpillar, in the way that one develops over time. Jem and Scout are the children of Atticus Finch, the lawyer that represents Tom Robinson on trial. Although Atticus instructed Jem and Scout to not go to the trial, they still go and watch. The hearing is about a black male, Tom Robinson supposedly raping and beating a white woman. The children are the protagonists of the novel due to the way that over time they mature more and develop more helpful personalities.
Throughout the trial, Jem’s understanding strengthens and it becomes clear to him 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”(Lee 30). When Atticus takes on a case, choosing to defend a black man in a trial, Jem is significantly impacted when the jury delivers the verdict that Tom is guilty after Atticus does everything in his power to prove that Mr. Robinson is innocent. Jem puts himself in Tom Robinson’s shoes, allowing him to see the trial from another point of view; the racist side of the story. He is shaken by the outcome of the trial, making “His hands white from gripping the balcony rail, and his shoulders jerked as if each ‘guilty’ was a separate stab between
... scout and jem were seen as kids who their father was helping a African American and not a white. They had to be strong and have courage to not believe or feel bad of what people were saying. But be proud on what their dad has done to show them that no one has to be judge or seen as an animal. Tolerance and judgment would fit in the lesson of courage because you need courage people tolerance you need courage from people judgments. Courage to me seems to be as a person being a strong human. This lesson did go through to Scout and Jem.