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Tommy Leas

Ms. Friedman

English 9H

12 September, 2010

A Better Understanding of Life and Ultimately the World

In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee demonstrates the transformation of

young adults through important life lessons. Humans have much to learn about

themselves as well as others closest to them. As the novel progresses, a new light is cast

on hidden talents, the definition of courage, and appearances compared to realities. Jem

and Scout discover the good and evils of society in Maycomb, Alabama because of their

situations and gain a better understanding of the world around them; ultimately the

children become exceptional human beings.

Through the discovery of their father’s hidden talent, Jem and Scout learn an

important lesson. Atticus Finch was an extraordinary marksman: “I saw that, One-Shot

Finch… Atticus Finch was the deadest shot in Maycomb County in his time. If your

father’s anything, he’s civilized at heart. Marksmanship’s a gift of God, a talent…

people in their right minds never take pride in their talents” (Lee 98). Surprisingly to Jem

and Scout, their father Atticus, a well-respected lawyer, knows how to shoot. When Jem

and Scout report a local Maycomb County dog, Tim Johnson, to Calpurnia, she

recognizes that it has rabies and is dangerous. Heck Tate, the local sheriff, orders Atticus

to shoot the dog. Reluctantly, Atticus does the job. Atticus displays his talent for sharp

shooting, but he ever boasts about it. Atticus’s previously unmentioned, now known

talent illustrates his humility as a person and virtue as a human being. The children take

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away a respect for human life and learn that one can never expect what a person has to

offer. In addition to human talent, courage is also discovered.

By observing others face the negative forces of addiction and racism, Jem and

Scout understand and recognize acts of courage more completely. Courage can define a

man. Scout remarks that it is “when you know you’re licked before you begin buy you

begin anyway and you see it through no matter what” (Lee 112). Firstly, Mrs. Dubose,

an elderly lady with an addiction to morphine, showed courage. When Atticus punishes

Jem for destroying Mrs. Dubose’s plants, he serves for his crime by reading to her. The

readings from Jem took her mind off of her addiction. Mrs. Dubose dies a few days after

the beginning of Jem’s daily readings. However, she did not die addicted to morphine.

Mrs. Dubose sees through to the end and fights her addiction. Secondly, Atticus defines

real courage as he takes the Tom Robinson case. Racial and social inequalities are

prevalent in the town of Maycomb, Alabama. He understood that by taking the case he

would be subject to negative speculation and derision. He defends Tom Robinson giving

it all that he has no matter how much his reputation will suffer. Even though he loses the

case, he shows a true sense of courage defending Tom Robinson no matter what the

circumstances are, even when a mob gathers to lynch Tom Robinson. True courage is

defined by a man or woman standing up for their believes no matter what the

consequences are. As well as courage, the children learn of false appearances.

By really getting to know a person, Jem and Scout discover that things aren’t

always as they appear to be, and learn another pivotal lesson. Boo Radley, the town

boogieman, is the essence of the children’s games. As Dill visits for the summer, the

games begin. Since no one sees Boo Radley, it is easy to make accusations and spread

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rumors about him. The children only hear spooky things about Boo, that “inside the

house lived a malevolent phantom” (Lee 9). Some say that he has stabbed his father with

scissors; however, this only provokes the children to play the Radley game. He is not as

they portray him to be. When Miss Maudie’s house catches on fire, Scout and Jem watch

helplessly. Boo Radley places a blanket over Scout’s shoulder and shows his true

kindness. Bob Ewell attacks the children late at night while they are walking home from

a school play. Boo Radley saves Jem and Scout’s lives. Jem and Scout might not have

survived such a gruesome attack without Boo. Boo’s kindness and sensitivity seem to

prevail throughout the novel. The Radley house finally doesn’t seem as dark and

depressing as it once did. Atticus illustrates: “You never really understand a person until

you consider things from his point of view… until you climb into his skin and walk

around in it” (Lee 33). Scout and Jem gain a better understanding of people and finally

see that things are not always as they appear to be.

Jem and Scout learn important life lessons as the story unfolds. They come across

both the good and bad existing in the world. They acquire knowledge of hidden talents,

courage, and ultimately the judgment of human beings. The kids still have a lot to learn,

however, the adults in town have a lot to learn from Jem and Scout and the lessons that

they have experienced. Jem and Scout will, in the fullness of time, make Maycomb,

Alabama a superior place.

Honor Above All