Scout's Coming Of Age Experience In To Kill A Mockingbird

Throughout the course of our lives, we learn valuable lessons that shape us into responsible young adults. In Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Jean Louise Finch, better known as “Scout,” has many coming of age experiences. As the story progresses, Scout becomes more respectful, knowledgeable, and empathetic. The defining moment, in which you see Scout’s full transformation, is when Scout finally meets Arthur Radley, who the kids call “Boo.” After many years of living in fear of Arthur Radley, thanks to the attack from Bob Ewell, she realizes that all of the rumors flying around about Boo were false. In reality, he was a kind, misunderstood individual. She stated, “He gave us two soap dolls, a broken watch and chain, a pair of good-luck pennies, and our lives. But neighbors give in return.” Scout realizes that her image of Arthur was completely wrong. Ordinarily, children would stubbornly tell themselves that it wasn’t really Boo that had been helping and protecting them. However, Scout faces the guilt and acknowledges her mistake, going so far as to say that she was sad that she hadn’t returned his kindness. It’s obvious that Scout has greatly matured.
All through the book, Scout, her brother, Jem, and their friend, Dill rack their brains, trying to understand why Boo doesn’t leave his house. After walking Boo home, Scout begins to look back on past events, but this time, from the Radley’s home. “I had never seen our neighborhood from this angle” Simply from this, Scout was able to imagine the world from Boo’s perspective. From meeting Dill to having their hearts broken by the Tom Robinson trial verdict, Boo had been watching. Scout begins to understand what Dill had meant long before, when he proposed that perhaps Boo stayed at home because he wanted to. From his home, he could watch over Scout and Jem, and for that, Scout was