“How could they do it, how could they? ” To Kill a Mockingbird is a literary classic written by Harper Lee and released in 1960. The book features iconic protagonists such as Jem and Scout Finch. The children both go through significant character arcs, from learning on their own, having their values exemplified, or learning from the Inhabitants of Maycomb. Jem learns and develops a greater sense of sophistication and understanding, courage, and learns about the prejudice of man. In the book, Jem had many instances where he learns about courage through others or through situations.
Part way through the book, Jem is punished and is required to read to Ms. Dubose. After her passing, Atticus reveals that she had an addiction to morphine and Jem helped her overcome her addiction. Atticus said, “She had her own views about things, a lot different from mine, maybe… son, I told you that if you hadn’t lost your head I’d have made you go read to her. 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.
You rarely win, but sometimes you do. Mrs. Dubose won, all ninety-eight pounds of her. According to her views, she died beholden to nothing and nobody. She was the bravest person I ever knew. ” (112). Like Atticus said, courage is not all about being a hero. It changed his view on what courage truly is. Also; When the kids arrived at the jail in the midst of the mob confronting Atticus, he learned that he can be courageous in other ways than just getting rid of an addiction like Ms. Dubose did. He refused multiple times when Atticus had asked him to leave home and take Scout and Dill with him (152-153).
Jem’s defiance of his father shows that he will not be a bystander when everyone in Maycomb hated Atticus. He could be courageous by standing by for what’s right, not letting himself become assimilated by the people of Maycomb. A final lesson Jem learned about courage was before Bob Ewell assaulted the kids. “Shuffle-foot had not stopped with us this time. His trousers swished softly and steadily. Then they stopped.
He was running, running toward us with no child’s steps. “Run, Scout! Run! Run! ” Jem screamed. I took one giant step and found myself reeling: my arms useless, in the dark, I could not keep my balance. Jem, Jem, help me, Jem! ” Something crushed the chicken wire around me. Metal ripped on metal and I fell to the ground and rolled as far as I could, floundering to escape my wire prison. From somewhere near by came scuffling, kicking sounds, sounds of shoes and flesh scraping dirt and roots. Someone rolled against me and I felt Jem. He was up like lightning and pulling me with him but, though my head and shoulders were free, I was so entangled we didn’t get very far. We were nearly to the road when I felt lem’s hand leave me, felt him jerk backwards to the ground.
More scuffling, and there came a dull crunching sound and Jem screamed. ” (261-262) He had a sneaking suspicion something was wrong and discovered within himself the instinct to protect his little sister. Sure he had protective moments like these before but nothing major as this event. If he did not have the courage to save Scout and take on Bob Himself surely Bob would have hurt and possibly killed one of them. It’s one of his more spontaneous and commendable actions and revelations about courage. Jem created his own learning experiences from courage and learned from others. Jem also learns how to be mature and sophisticated.
Early on, although still childish, Jem had developed a sense of maturity at the playground on Scout’s first day at school. 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. “You’re bigger’n he is,” he said. “He’s as old as you, nearly,” I said. “He made me start off on the wrong foot. ” “Let him go, Scout. Why? ” “He didn’t have any lunch,” I said, and explained my involvement in Walter’s dietary affairs. Walter had picked himself up and was standing quietly listening to Jem and me.
His fists were half cocked, as if expecting an onslaught from both of us. I stomped at him to chase him away, but Jem put out his hand and stopped me. He examined Walter with an air of speculation. “Your daddy Mr. Walter Cunningham from Old Sarum? ” he asked, and Walter nodded. Walter looked as if he had been raised on fish food: his eyes, as blue as Dill Harris’s, were red-rimmed and watery. There was no color in his face except at the tip of his nose, which was moistly pink. He fingered the straps of his overalls, nervously picking at the metal hooks. Jem suddenly grinned at him.
Come on home to dinner with us, Walter,” he said. “We’d be glad to have you. ” (22-23). Looking beyond the text, a mature person would not let violence take priority over being reasonable, Jem must have developed a sense of morality and maturity in that moment, most likely coming from Atticus. He indirectly apologized to Walter by inviting him over to dinner. IfJem did not have that hint of maturity and morality, he probably would have encouraged scout more to hurt him. Another way Jem develops a sense of maturity is after the raid on the Radley house.
When Jem discussed the raid he says, “And something else—” Jem’s voice was flat. “Show you when we get home. They’d been sewed up. Not like a lady sewed ’em, like somethin’ I’d try to do. All crooked. It’s almost like—””—somebody knew you were comin’ back for ’em. ” (58). Looking beyond the text again, it seems that Jem had a realization as he was speaking. He became enlightened in a sense that “Who else would sew up his pants? ” It had to be the Radley’s, so, he has the thought implanted in him that they are just good people who happen to be mysterious. They aren’t devil-like people who terrorize everyone.
Furthermore, The final way Jem matured was being able to comprehend the trial. “He’s not supposed to lean, Reverend, but don’t fret, we’ve won it,” he said wisely. “Don’t see how any jury could convict on what we heard—” (208). Jem was absolutely sure that Atticus would have won the case from what he heard. He made up his mind because of what Atticus was showing to the people in the court, not because it was his dad. These points are definite signs of him learning how to be mature as being able to comprehend such a subject is not just something a child can do. The final concept Jem learns is about prejudice.
Part-ways through the book Jem has an extended encounter with Ms. Dubose. She was spouting her toxic words and said, “Not only a Finch waiting on tables but one in the courthouse lawing for niggers! ” (101). Jem and Scout in this situation learn about the hatred of those in their town. Dubose was bad-mouthing Atticus to his children simply because he was defending a black man, and so was everyone in town. A pivotal moment in the book when the mob confronts Atticus is also a great example of how the kids learn about the prejudice of those in their town.
“You know what we want,” another man said. Get aside from the door, Mr. Finch. ” “You can turn around and go home again, Walter,” Atticus said pleasantly. “Heck Tate’s around somewhere. ” “The hell he is,” said another man. “Heck’s bunch’s so deep in the woods they won’t get out till mornin’. ” (151) Another beyond the text point is made here. The kids here are spectating the men and Atticus before running up to him and the mob, they were determined on getting to Tom to lynch him. Thinking about this situation deeper, the men did not even want to wait for the trial and the verdict to decide on their motivations.
They wanted Tom lynched simply because he was black and accused of rapeing Mayella. Finally, Jem learns about how prejudiced the jury is “Guilty… guilty… guilty… guilty… ” (211). “It was Jem’s turn to cry. His face was streaked with angry tears as we made our way through the cheerful crowd. “It ain’t right,” he muttered, all the way to the corner of the square where we found Atticus waiting. (212). Atticus defended Tom so well and it was obvious that he was innocent. However, simply because Tom was black, they thought he was guilty.
These events truly showed Jem the motivations of the prejudiced people in the jury and the residents of Maycomb. All-in all, Jem is a character who learns firsthand many things, such as the prejudice of man, how to be courageous, and maturity. From Atticus to Ms. Dubose, he was influenced by different types of people and ideologies. He also created his own learning experiences besides learning from others. Without having his arc as a character, he would be just as vile as those around him. His experiences shaped who he was.