To Kill A Mockingbird Loss of Innocence Essay Example

Imagine, you’re in third grade playing on the playground, having the time of your life. Your peers’ excited screams fill your ears; a smile plastered on your face. You don’t have a care in the world as your innocence flows strongly through you. However, you continue to age slowly losing your innocence as you come of age. In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Scout, Jem, and Dill have their innocence stripped away from them as their coming of age continues. As the novel progresses, the children learn major life lessons that are absorbed in their coming of age when their understanding of the world is questioned. 

Scout, someone who has a big heart and is easily impressed, learns a major life lesson throughout the novel. With Scout’s innocence still going strong at the beginning of the novel, she treats Boo Radley the same as the town of Maycomb treats Tom Robinson, who is a black man oppressed by the white people. “Inside the house lived a malevolent phantom” (Lee, 9). Without Scout knowing who Boo is, she already has her preconceived notions. However, with the help of the trial, Atticus, and Miss Maudie, Scout’s views are changed as she looks at Boo as a human being rather than a superstition. “My small fantasy about him was alive again…” (Lee, 312). Scout’s fantasy is having a normal conversation with Boo, but how did her mindset change? According to “Why “To Kill a Mockingbird” Still Resonates Today” by Mangot Stern Stem, “Instead he tells her that the “trick” to understanding another person is to consider things from his or her point of view.” When Atticus told Scout his golden rule, she realized Tom was getting oppressed as he was only judged based on his skin color. As Scout is exposed to the sickness of Maycomb, she soon understands Atticus’ golden rule. “Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them” (Lee, 321). From what Scout experienced with Tom Robinson, she questioned her understanding of the world as she was finally able to understand Atticus’ golden rule. 

Jem, Scout’s older brother, learns a major life lesson from Atticus as he continues to understand the world of Maycomb. In part one of the novel, Atticus shoots the Mad Dog, a dog with rabies, to protect the town. Jem is in awe of this; however, this isn’t the lesson Atticus wants Jem to learn from this situation. So, Atticus sends Jem over to Mrs. Dubose to teach him his lesson. “I wanted you to see something about her- I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what” (Lee, 128). Jem also sees this lesson again when Atticus takes on the Tom Robinson trial. Atticus knows he’s not going to win, but he shows courage by following through with it. With Jem seeing what real courage is, he is better able to understand the people of Maycomb, especially Boo Radley, as he absorbs a major life lesson. 

Dill, who has a big heart and imagination, comes of age during the trial as he learns a major life lesson. Dill’s perception of the world is innocent before the trial. However, during the trial his understanding of the world is questioned when Dill says to Scout, “That old Mr. Gilmer doin’ him thataway, talking so hateful to him…It was the way he said it made me sick, plain sick” (Lee, 226). Dill’s exposure to the racism has a huge impact on him. With his morals, he finds it wrong the way Mr. Gilmer, the prosecutor, is speaking to Tom. However, still being at a young age, Dill doesn’t have the capability to comprehend the oppression Tom is facing. As a result, Mr. Raymond says to Dill, “Things haven’t caught up with one’s instinct yet. Let him get a little older and he won’t get sick and cry…Cry about the simple hell people give other people- without even thinking” (Lee, 228-229). As Dill continues to come of age, he’ll learn the lesson about the cruelty that surrounds him. According to “How the moral lessons of To Kill a Mockingbird endure today.” By Anne Maxwell, “Throughout the novel, the children grow more aware of the community’s attitudes.” Dill learns a major life lesson from Mr. Raymond that people give each other hell without thinking. He learns about the cruelty that surrounds him when he comes of age. 

Scout, Jem, and Dill learn major life lessons that are absorbed in their coming of age. Their coming of age strikes hard during the trial when their innocence is appropriated away from them. During the time of the trial, they see the cruelty of Maycomb, and Scout understands the golden rule. As major lessons are absorbed, their understanding of Maycomb is questioned. Atticus says it’s important to stand in someone else’s shoes. I think this is a valuable lesson everyone needs to take into consideration.