Preview

Examples Of Simplicity In To Kill A Mockingbird

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
149 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Examples Of Simplicity In To Kill A Mockingbird
Innocence is defined as “simplicity”. Often times people see this simplicity within children since it is not until later that they truly understand the world. In To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Lee uses Jem to show this theme of how as you grow older you start to see things in a different perspective. In the beginning of the novel Jem is introduced as a child who is oblivious to the true meaning of the issues that surround him. However, as the story goes on Jem begins to perceive things in a different way. For example, when Scout sees that Jem “had been crying” (pg. 84) on the Radley porch Jem shows a new more sophisticated side of himself. The fact that Jem is upset because he realizes that Boo is not being allowed to communicate
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Examples Of Loss Of Innocence In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee
    • 218 Words
    • 1 Page

    Examples Of Loss Of Innocence In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

    The first example of loss of innocence is seen in To Kill a Mockingbird. When Jem asked Atticus about the mob surrounding him. This was the first time that he realized that racist gangs such as the Ku Klux Klan were a threat. Jem was scared for his father because he realized that his father was in a bad situation. This is seen here: “They were after you, weren’t they?” Jem went to him. “They wanted to get you, didn’t they?” ( Lee 146). During the 1930’s the idea of equal rights between different ethnicities was very popular. This affected almost everyone's life. Throughout the book the reader can see both Jem and Scout become more familiar with the idea of racism. As they learned more about it, they also developed their own theories and stances…

    • 218 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Why Is Boo Radley Wrong
    • 874 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Why Is Boo Radley Wrong

    The first things that started to change their minds was when they were walking home and something caught one of their eyes. They walked up to it and noticed that it was tinfoil sticking out of a tree. Scout pulls out the tinfoil and finds two pieces of chewing gum without their wrappers on (Lee 44). This is significant because it shows that Boo is kind of there for them, without really being there. Going deeper into the book there is another interaction with Boo which makes them more curious. Jem said nervously, “‘When I went back for my breeches––they were all in a tangle when I was getting’ out of ‘em loose. When I went back––” Jem took a deep breath. “When I went back, they were folded across the fence . . . like they were expecting’ me’” (Lee 78). Boo is trying to hint something at them, Scout and Jem are freaked out about this, but it does make them wonder why he would do something nice. Another example is when Mrs. Maudie's house was burning down and Boo put a blanket around Scout without him even knowing (Lee 96). This is a very important part of showing Boo’s character. Even though it seems scary to the kids, Boo is just trying to be nice. All of these events lead to Jem and Scout looking at Boo as not scary, but as a…

    • 874 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    To Kill A Mockingbird Bildungsroman Analysis
    • 698 Words
    • 3 Pages

    To Kill A Mockingbird Bildungsroman Analysis

    Jem is nine at the beginning of the novel, but then learns enough to get him by in the real world at his age. At the end of the novel, he is nearly thirteen. Throughout the novel, Lee shows how Jem is growing up, he sees himself more as a man: "Atticus is a gentleman, just a like me!"(Lee 131). Jem thinks that he is now a man so that is why he is yelling to Scout.…

    • 698 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    To Kill A Mockingbird How Does Jem Change Essay
    • 638 Words
    • 3 Pages

    To Kill A Mockingbird How Does Jem Change Essay

    At the beginning, Jem wants to be a lawyer like his father. He admires what his father does because he believes that the justice system always works the way it's supposed to, with the guilty always being convicted and the innocent always being proved so. So when Tom Robinson is convicted for a crime he obviously did not commit, Jem loses his faith in the innate goodness of the world he previously saw and his faith in the justice system, all at once. He refuses to even talk about the court case, going as far as to yell at Scout when she mentions it, which shows how truly shaken up the whole situation had left him. Overall, Jem's perspective is forced to become a more mature one due to the extreme circumstances he encountered so early on in his life. His beliefs in goodness are shattered by the reality that people's prejudice can stop them from doing the right thing, changing his attitude towards the world utterly and causing his entire character in To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, to change along with…

    • 638 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Examples Of Maturity In To Kill A Mockingbird
    • 286 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Examples Of Maturity In To Kill A Mockingbird

    I think I’m beginning to understand why Boo Radley’s stayed shut up in the house all this time. It’s because he wants to stay inside.”’ (301). With this statement from Jem one can clearly infer that Jem has overcome his previous invisions and fantasies of Boo Radley, and has come to a clearly, more realistic idea of what actually is occuring with Boo. Jem can now realize that the things people do are none of his business and if they want to stay inside, such as Boo does, then they can and Jem cannot do anything about it. Jem can also be seen as a fully matured young man when he defends Scout in the struggle against Bob Ewell. Jem and Scout are ambushed, and Jem takes initiative and does all he can to protect his younger sister. Jem tells Scout to run and as they run they are pulled to the ground by Bob. Jem overcomes, picks himself up and pounces upon Mr. Ewell so as to save his one and only sister. Jem could have been expedient, run away and left Scout to fend for herself, but he had attained his immaculate goal of maturity and does all he can to assist in the epic battle between himself, Scout and the ravaging Bob Ewell. As one can infer from the several examples that are displayed from Jem and Scout proceeding their catalytic maturity experiences, they have worked for, and attained ultimate maturity for…

    • 286 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Innocence In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee
    • 725 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Innocence In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

    Here are all of the main theme questions of what Harper Lee seeks in To Kill a Mockingbird and evidence in the book talking about why innocence is seen in different ways. In paragraph one it talks about mockingbirds being symbolized innocent because it’s a sin to kill one. Also in paragraph two it explains if violence increases around Jem and Scout they’re innocence goes away because sometimes witnesses can also be suspects. In paragraph three it talks about innocence being another aspect that some people think because they only look at you on outside and your problems in…

    • 725 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Literary Analysis Of To Kill A Mockingbird
    • 1008 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Literary Analysis Of To Kill A Mockingbird

    As Jem and Scout are watching the judge convict, Scout starts to cry, but Jem does the opposite. “‘It ain’t right’ he muttered, all the way to the corner of the square where he found Atticus waiting”(pg.284). When readers examine this passage, they are able to sense this feeling of Jem transitioning into Mr.Finch. As he is hearing the convict, a feeling of anger overpowers him, enabling him to see how racism is affecting the South deeply. This contributes to the theme by showing Jem’s turning point from a kid to a mature man. Also, his perspective plays a huge role in this, as his anger is controlling his actions. Since Scout hasn’t realized the power of racism yet, her emotion are just for Tom, not for the movement. Another example of tone in the novel is when Jem is trying to tell Atticus that Maycomb County needs to understand that Tom Robinson didn’t do nothing to the girl. “‘He didn’t kill anybody even if he was guilty. He didn’t take anybody’s life”’(pg.293). This quote shows how Jem’s tone towards helping Tom has changed from anger to reason. The theme supports this by showing how the perspective of Jem is beginning to see the trial from all the different sides. Although he is too young to even participate in this kind of situation, he is beginning to understand the concepts of the kind of people there are in this world. Altogether, Jem’s coming of age for becoming a man can be seen in…

    • 1008 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Coming Of Age Quotes
    • 1085 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Coming Of Age Quotes

    In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, the character Jem was able to grow in maturity from the experiences that helped shape his understanding of Boo Radley. As…

    • 1085 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Theme Of Judgement In To Kill A Mockingbird
    • 525 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Theme Of Judgement In To Kill A Mockingbird

    Later in the book Scout and Jem go back to Atticus’s advice in order to understand Boo Radley. After the Tom Robinson case was finished, Scout and Jem were talking with each other about what they thought of the people on his jury. Before now, both of them had always assumed Boo Radley was just a scary person who never came out. When talking, Jem said, “ Scout, I’m beginning to understand…

    • 525 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    What Is The Loss Of Innocence In To Kill A Mockingbird
    • 743 Words
    • 3 Pages

    What Is The Loss Of Innocence In To Kill A Mockingbird

    Even in the pages before To Kill a Mockingbird, the author includes a quote preluding to the loss of innocence throughout the story. Charles Lamb said, “Lawyers, I suppose, were children once,” (Lee) I believe Harper Lee chose to include this quote before the story started to lead into the theme of children losing their innocence. Through this quote she insinuates that the heartless people we have in society today (not necessarily lawyers) were once innocent children. Basically, throughout To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee implies that children lose their innocence as they are confronted with difficulties such as runaways, prejudice, and attempted murders.…

    • 743 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    What Are The Moments Of Change In To Kill A Mockingbird
    • 1004 Words
    • 5 Pages

    What Are The Moments Of Change In To Kill A Mockingbird

    The reason his conflict was such a heavy burden was because all his life, Jem knew everyone, he thought they were all good, respectable people until judgment day for Tom. He really thought people would make the right decision and save Tom’s life.He was wrong, everyone walked out of judgment room not glancing once at Tom the mallet fell saying the words guilty, Jem never felt the same of his community again.This did not affect him in a bad way it affected him very positively making him more mature he wanted to be able to look out for his sister and keep her safe. Just like he did that day when Mr.Ewell attacked them trying to kill him and his sister, but he fought back protecting her until Boo got there to save them.in this passage it shows when Jem pulls Mr.Ewell of of Scout saving her”He slowly squeezed the breath out of me. I could not move. Suddenly he was jerked backwards and flung on the ground, almost carrying me with him. I thought, Jem's up.” this was the part where Jem had to protects his family right before when Boo came to finish the job off with sticking a knife up under Mr. Ewell rib…

    • 1004 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    To Kill A Mockingbird Empathy Essay
    • 416 Words
    • 2 Pages

    To Kill A Mockingbird Empathy Essay

    Scout demonstrates a lack of empathy by never comprehending the struggles others face. This is shown through the teacher’s misunderstandings of Walter’s situation, where as a result Scout beats him up. By never taking at hand Walters condition Scout is absent of empathy. Similarly Jem doesn’t always take into account others emotional trauma. Falsely advertising Boo Radley’s life story, Jem blatantly thinks he is a “monster” not trying to fathom the effects this might cause on Boo’s self-esteem. The motive behind Jem’s actions stems from an unknowing of empathy. Despite this Scout begins to comprehend the importance of empathy. When Atticus advises Scout “To fight with [her] head than [her] fist” she takes it into consideration, then later…

    • 416 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Loss Of Innocence In To Kill A Mockingbird
    • 601 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Loss Of Innocence In To Kill A Mockingbird

    “You never understand a person until you consider things from their point of view.”- Atticus. The subject of innocence is displayed by a mockingbird in the book,”To Kill A Mockingbird,” by Harper Lee. In the slow, old town of Maycomb during the 1930’s, (Great Depression), racism is a great issue and is attemped to be stopped but the ways will continue no matter what. To kill a mockingbird represents the destruction of innocence in the story. This is shown through Tom Robinson’s innocent death and Boo Radley’s societal given identity.…

    • 601 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    What Is Jem Finch's Transformation In To Kill A Mockingbird
    • 935 Words
    • 4 Pages

    What Is Jem Finch's Transformation In To Kill A Mockingbird

    Jem first begins to put himself in others’ shoes and learn sympathy from his fascination with Boo Radley.…

    • 935 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    To Kill A Mockingbird Courage Quotes
    • 1103 Words
    • 5 Pages

    To Kill A Mockingbird Courage Quotes

    Jem shows true courage when he touches the wall of Boo Radley’s house. Jem states that “I hope you’ve got it through your head that he’ll kill us each and every one [...] Don’t blame me when he gouges your eyes out.” (17). This quote demonstrates the fear Jem has of the Radley house and Boo Radley. His childhood has been filled with rumors of how evil Arthur (Boo) Radley is, like “he dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch, that’s why his hands were bloodstained” (16), and that he has stabbed his father, Mr. Radley (13). Although these scare him, Jem wants to stand up for himself by not letting down a dare. He accepts Dill’s challenge and is able to face his fears by touching the house of the Radleys. Jem shows courage again when he goes to help Mrs. Dubose even though she has insulted their family and, to Jem, is a terrifying elderly woman. This is reflected where Jem states, “Atticus, it’s all right on the sidewalk but inside it’s - it’s all dark and creepy. There’s shadows and things on the ceiling…” (140). Jem is afraid of Mrs. Dubose as much as he is afraid of Boo. In spite of this, Jem enters her house when told by his father, Atticus Finch. He was able to sit right by her every evening for more than a month. Throughout the novel, Jem has had a fear of many characters like Boo and Mrs. Dubose. However, he was able to overcome those fears, although some were…

    • 1103 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics