Symbols in To Kill a Mockingbird Essay Example

character and his willingness and eagerness so stand up for what’s right.

This is until they see him in action at Tom Robinson’s trial. Like most kids, the Finch siblings think about courage in terms of physical ability, which is why they are impressed when they watch Atticus take down a wild dog with a rifle. What they learn is that courage takes many forms. They also learn this from their experience with Mrs.Dubose. Her courage in getting rid of her morphine addiction is most impressive to Jem, but both of the children learn the lesson.

One last lesson that I believe the kids learned and matured comes from something Atticus says to them when they receive their air rifles at Christmas. Atticus delivers his famous mockingbird line, and neither child seems to really understand it at the time. Scout asks Miss Maudie about it.

“Your father’s Right,” she said

“Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy….but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”

Of course Miss Maudie’s explanation helps, but still Scout and Jem do not quite understand that this actual directive is also a metaphor for the kinds of people who might be considered mockingbirds in life. Through their experiences with Tom Robinson and Boo Radley, it is clear that both kids come to understand this metaphor.

Jem gets the idea most through Tom’s trial. Jem is more aware than Scout of the injustice and wrongdoing of this trial’s turnouts. It is upsetting to him, which is a sign of his maturity. Scout understands this truth most through her experience with Boo Radley at the end

of the novel. In fact, she is the one who specifically makes the connection between Boo and a mockingbird. Understanding these ideas reflects their maturity.

Kids learn and grow over time, but Jem and Scout learn a few specific and significant lessons throughout the course of this novel. I believe that they matured and learned many lessons through the book. They are good lessons that even we can take from.