Natalia Vigo Ames
Analyse the trial scene and its relationship to the rest of the novel
Prejudice, maturity and symbolism of the trial
The trial scene, which covers up several chapters of To Kill a mocking bird, can be considered as the climax of the story. It kind of sums up a lot of themes which the author, Harper Lee, tries to refer to in the novel. It is mainly related to the prejudice, growing up and symbolism in the novel.
Jem and Scout, two of the principal characters of the book, start off as being childish and playful kids, but as the story goes on, we can clearly see that there is a growing up in their awareness, specially during the trial, when their feelings are altered by Injustice and prejudice. Dill’s childish attitude in the trial makes a contrast with the growing maturity of Jem and Scout. Their observations and opinions become different, specially Jem’s. During and after the trial he is much more affected by the injustices committed by the people and jury because of his quicker and more radical growth. He has trouble facing the adult world and reality. His faith in justice is very badly shaken, discovering the evil of racism. After the trial, he suffers from teenage angst and shows it when he says to Scout that “If there’s just one kind of folks, why can’t they get along with each other? Why do they go out their way to despise each other?” showing how the prejudice shown in the trial by the adults has shocked him and change his view of fairness.