Analysis Of Jem Finch In Harper Lee's 'To Kill A Mockingbird'

Words: 337
Pages: 2

The Maturing of Jem Finch When children grow up they learn to cope with things and take responsibility. In the novel, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, one protagonist name Jeremy “Jem” Finch, undergoes a lot of changes. Jem has been exposed to many adult issues. As Jem grows up he begins to understand these adult issues such as racism. The characteristics of the brave and sensitive Jem leads to his maturity.
Throughout the book as Jem matures, he shows his bravery. Jem wasn’t scared to do anything, especially when people dare him. Scout says,” In all his life, Jem had never declined a dare.” (Lee 14) Dill bet Jem to get close to the Radley’s gate. Jem thought about it for 3 days before Dill says,”...I’ll swap you The Gray Ghost if you just go touch the house. ” (Lee 15) Jem ended up doing the dare. This shows Jem becoming brave as he matures because no other child would have touched the Radley’s house but, Jem did anyway.
…show more content…
Jem began to show his sensitive side when Atticus was given the Tom Robinson case. Jem believed in justice and equality. Jem didn’t feel like Tom Robinson was being treated with equality because this case had an all white jury. Jem felt that the jury couldn’t possibly convict Robinson with that evidence. Scout says,”Judge Taylor was polling the Jury: Guilty...guilty...guilty….guilty… I peeked at Jem: his hands were white from gripping the balcony poll and his shoulders jerked as if each guilty was a separate stab between them.” (Lee 240) This trial really hurt Jem and he couldn’t understand why people wanted to separate different groups of people. This shows Jem maturing because he understand that not everyone was sensitive or fair-minded.
In conclusion, Jem’s brave and sensitive characteristics lead to his maturity. Now Jem understands the world around him and finds it very overwhelming. Jem wants justice and a equal democracy for all