Loss of Innocence in To Kill a Mockingbird Essay

One eventually comes to the point in their life where they have to take the step from innocence to adulthood, and do so by understanding their surroundings. In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, the protaginist, Scout Finch, takes that step. Scout starts off as an innocent child who has not yet experienced evil, but as the novel continues, Scout confronts racism and is prepared to handle the situation. As Scout approaches the reality of racism, she opens herself to a whole new world, where racism is looked upon differently, through her mind.

Scout is different from the typical girl. She wears overalls ad climbs trees instead of wearing dresses and learning lady-like manners. Scout is who she is because of the way her father, Atticus, has raised her. At first, Scout does not know what to expect from racism, but as she witnesses it, she starts to see things from a new perspective, thanks to her father's teachings and what she witnesses. Scout's faith is tested by the hatred and prejudice that takes place during Tom Robinson's trial. Scout soon develops a more grown up perspective that enables her to appreciate human goodness without ignoring human evil.

At his own mercy, Atticus Finch has experienced and understood evil without losing his faith in sympathy. Atticus has a great relationship with his children, and his ability to put himself inside their shoes makes him the best teacher. He teaches his children to look at life from another person's perspective before judging them. Scout takes Atticus' advice by imagining what life is like for her neighbor, Boo Radley. Scout had always thought of Boo as a superstisious man with no human qualities. Without thinking at first, Scout, still an innocent child, judges Boo, because her innocence does not let her see differently than what she assumes. As she gets to know him he becomes more real to her. Boo becomes fully human to Scout. Scout learns that things are not always as they seem, just like Boo and racism, because everything matters on how it is viewed.This illustrates how Scout has developed into a more mature individual.

Scout embraces her father's advice to practice sympathy and understanding and proves that her experiences with evil and prejudice will not affect her faith in human goodness. The purity of Boo's heart is what allows Scout to realize that good exists within people. She notices that racism is as bad as judging someone without getting to know them. Scout no longer sees Boo as a scary monster because she knows where he is coming from. Scout starts off with no experience in the adult world, but once her surroundings begin to change, so do her perspectives. Even though Scout is exposed to racism during and after the trial she is able to handle it. As Scout loses her innocence she sees how harsh everyone and everything could truly be. She even matures faster than her brother, Jem.

Lee shows the developments of Scout's character by using her evolving image of Boo Radley from a monster, to a kind, gentleman. Scout transforms from a quick to judge child, into a young lady who understands what racism and her surroundings have to offer to a world where anyone can make a difference, just by stepping up for what you believe in.