Dogmatic religion is cruel and harsh in the eyes of Scout, as Boo Radley, a mysterious character, has been locked away in his house for many years. Scout finds out that Boo Radley’s father has locked him up for being arrested many years ago for swearing in front of a woman. Scout learns that religion, especially “foot-washing” Baptists, can lead to cruelty, even inhumanity. This is significant as she starts to pity Boo who we later find out is a “mockingbird” character, much like Tom Robinson.
Compromise is better than conflict as Scout prefers to have Atticus keep reading her stories as well as learning the “Dewey Decimal System.” Conflict results in problems and it is obvious to Scout that in order for her welfare it is better to avoid problems. As Jem tells Scout, the new way of teaching which Mrs. Caroline is practicing is one which the entire school will use eventually, and one in which “ You don’t hafta learn that much out of books that way.” State education is therefore restrictive, not stimulating. Mrs. Caroline is miffed that Scout can read and blames Atticus for “doing it all wrong.” Scout also learned how to write as Calpurnia taught her while working in the kitchen. It seems rather ironic, as Calpurnia doesn’t fir the stereotypical image of a black woman – rough and illiterate.
In the beginning of chapter 9, Cecil Jacobs, a young boy,announced “Scout Finch’s daddy defended niggers.” Although Scout had promised not to fight she couldn’t resist the temptation and broke her promise to Atticus. She learned however that fighting is not an appropriate response to ignorance as Cecil is young and ignorant and is not aware of what he is saying. Throughout the town, people call Atticus a “nigger-lover”. Scout, at first enraged, begins to understand that people are both scared and ignorant. Atticus, once again her “teacher” explains to her that all lawyers defend Negroes and gives the following reason for defending him, “ If I didn’t I couldn’t hold my head in town, I couldn’t represent this country in legislature, I couldn’t even tell you or Jem what to do.” Scout and Jem gain respect for their father and soon begin to understand the meaning of true courage.
True courage is clearly demonstrated by Atticus, who takes the case and defends Tom Robinson despite the fact that the “white” population is against it. Shooting the mad dog charging toward him also showed physical courage. Atticus explains that he wants them to be exposed to another type of courage, “to see what real courage is instead of getting the idea that courage is a man who carries a gun in his hand.” He explains “ It’s when you’re licked before you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.” Atticus therefore used Mrs. Dubose as a teaching vehicle, first to let the children know that a man with a gun in his hand is not courageous. Jem also learns the meaning of true courage by reading to the old lady who accused Atticus of being a “nigger-lover”. Jem learns that she was dying under severe pain and did not realize what she was saying and Atticus had therefore introduced him to real courage by making him read to her.
In chapter 10 the title of the novel is introduced. Atticus warns his children not to kill a mockingbird. “ Shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” Mockingbirds “ don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us.” The title “mockingbird” can apply to various characters especially Boo Radley who never harmed anyone and the children learn this throughout the novel but it also foreshadows the fate of Tom Robinson, who had never destroyed anyone but will be brutally destroyed through a false accusation and here Scout and Jem learn adults are not always wise since even though Tom is innocent he will be prosecuted due to prejudice.
In the first 11 chapters of the novel we begin to see the innocence and naivety fade out of both children, notably Scout. They both learn more than just what is in their undynamic and bland classroom. Through experience, Jem and Scout realize how courageous and good their father is. Atticus’ methods of teaching, perhaps more subtle, eases the pressure of Tom Robinson’s case by intentionally letting Scout listen at the door of his conversation with Jack, Scout’s uncle. Thus, by seemingly overhearing them, Scout is more impressed and will ultimately try to follow Atticus’ advice. More importantly the children learn about moral values and prejudice. Their utter respect for Atticus will help them through the tension during the trial.
