Ripening
"I never figured out how Atticus knew I was listening, and it was not until many years later that I realized he wanted me to hear every word he said." These words, spoken by Scout in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, shows how Scout learns throughout the novel. It shows how at a young age, she does not quite understand why Atticus let her stay when he knew she was there, until a few years later when she was exposed to more of the world and understood more things. While maturing, Scout and Jem learn that world is not as fair as it should be and as adolescents grow up, they gain more responsibility and lose more childhood. Although both Jem and Scout gain and lose their childhood, Jem is the clear winner for losing the most and gaining the most.
Jem obviously matures throughout the story in many ways. In the beginning of the novel, Jem does not quite respect the wishes of his elders and does not do much to help Scout when she is in need of comfort. At one point in the story when Jem and Scout find out that Atticus was once known as “One-shot Finch” Scout is determined to tell the whole school that her father is “the deadest shot” in all of Maycomb. However, Jem, clearly realizing that if Atticus had wanted them to know about his shooting skills, he would have told them. However, Jem clearly realizing that Atticus is not proud about his history, prevents Scout from saying anything. Also, when they find that out that the tree that Boo Radley fills with goodies for them gets occupied with cement, the kids become disappointed. However, as sad as Scout is about it, Jem keeps telling her “ Don’t cry ’bout it Scout”, because everything will be fine. Another, more important example of Jem maturing comes after the Tom Robinson trial. As Jem starts understanding the meaning of racism and that not all people are treated equally, he starts to feel anger inside himself and learns right from wrong. As the jury is sending in their votes in and each one is a “guilty”, Scout states about Jem that “his hands were white from gripping the balcony rail, and his shoulders jerked as if each ‘guilty’ was a separate stab between them”. When they are leaving, Jem says, “It ain’t right, Atticus”, showing that he now understands that everyone deserves to be treated fairly no matter what their skin color is. Although Jem might still be considered a child by age, he has overcome that phase by the acts that have happened around him. He has had to lose his childhood due to the events present.
