Coming Of Age Quotes In To Kill A Mockingbird

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Everyone grows up, but most learn their lessons differently. Scout Finch is a prime example of how hard it is to develop. Living with her father Atticus and her brother Jem, she produces views regarding certain themes of life. Specifically, she learns what courage and morality are and aren’t. In her novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses the theme of coming of age to present how Scout has refined her views regarding courage and morality over time.
Firstly, Scout has improved her views on courage over time. For example, Jem and Scout had the belief Atticus wasn’t skilled at anything. One day, Atticus was called on to kill a mad dog running on the street when no one else would. To Scout and Jem’s surprise, Atticus shot the dog with astounding …show more content…
For instance, a boy named Walter Cunningham had indirectly gotten Scout in trouble during one day at school. Scout was furious and decided to teach Walter a lesson. Scout admitted,”Catching Walter Cunningham in the schoolyard gave me some pleasure, but when I was rubbing his nose in the dirt Jem came by and told me to stop”(Lee 22). In other words, Scout had roughed Walter up. Scout decided fighting was the correct way to defend her honor instead of talking to Walter about his mistake or ignoring it all together. Scout’s choices reveal she is childish and can’t make right behavioral decisions she needs to. Coupled with fighting Walter Cunningham, Scout again thought fighting was the fix to her problem. On Christmas day, the Finch family went to Finch’s Landing to see their relatives. As festivities carried out, Scout came out to the back step with her cousin Francis. After a short discussion, Francis started to insult Scout’s friends and Atticus. Scout reacted and thought,”This time, I split my knuckle to the bone on his front teeth”(Lee 84). Plainly, Scout punched Francis square in the face. Scout decided the right action was to brawl and defend her family and friends. Scout's efforts are crucial because Scout is acting immaturely by dueling Francis instead of handling the situation politely or just ignoring it. Scout’s actions displayed she has not yet come of age to comprehend what actions are
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