IndexIntroductionExamples of Scout's growth in To Kill a MockingbirdSocial growthEmotional growthIntellectual growthConclusionIntroductionAs human beings, we all change and become wiser as we grow, and Harper's novel Lee perfectly encapsulates the essence of growth. To Kill a Mockingbird is a story full of messages, but above all that of growing up in a society steeped in prejudice and inequality. Scout Finch transforms from a naive, innocent child with faith in the goodness of others into a young woman who begins to understand the harsh and unfair reality of the world. Although she does not fully understand the discrimination present in her society, she experiences prejudice herself, as those around her often try to change her tomboyish ways and turn her into a more socially accepted woman. As the novel progresses, Scout is able to form opinions about members of her community, and as she becomes smarter, she simultaneously grows emotionally and begins to show concern and empathy towards others. In this essay I will analyze the Scout's maturation process. Scout matures incredibly over the course of the book and learns to see life from another's perspective before making judgments, something that guides her throughout the novel, which I believe ultimately fosters her intellectual abilities, respect, social awareness, and emotional understanding. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Examples of Scout Growing in To Kill a Mockingbird Throughout the book Scout's innocence shapes the story significantly. For example, when Atticus is approached by the mob in prison, the scout comes over and says, "Well, Atticus, I was just telling Mr. Cunningham that the implications are bad and all, but you said not to worry. A sometimes it takes a long time… and you all have to deal with it together.” This quote shows how Scout's immaturity has led her to speak to the crowd without knowing the severity of the problem because of Atticus' problem. Also, when Jem tells Scout that there are four different types of people, she says "I told Jem that if that was the case, then why didn't Tom's jury, made up of people like the Cunninghams. Did he acquit Tom to spite the Ewells?" Jem dismissed my question as childish." Since Scout is immature, Jem waves the question as if it hadn't been asked, rendering his statements useless. For this reason, Scout is treated without respect when he gives suggestions towards more "mature" topics. Scout's immaturity gives her less say in important things and even jeopardizes problems with others. Social Growth The Scout matures socially as he becomes aware of the discrimination around him and learns to make judgments, decisions, and deal with any problem at hand. At first, Scout finds herself quick to judge others, as when Walter Cunningham is over for dinner, she acts immature and ridicules him for his eating habits. When Calpurnia confronts her about it, Scout tells her, "it's not company, Cal, it's just a Cunningham-." Later, Atticus teaches her the need to walk in another's skin and consider things from their point of view before drawing conclusions about them. He takes this advice to heart and puts it into practice many times. An example is when Jem becomes moody after retrieving his trousers from Radley Place, while Scout comments on the situation by saying, "I tried to get under Jem's skin and walk around it: if I had gone alone to Radley Place at twoafternoon" in the morning, my funeral would be the next afternoon. So I left Jem alone and tried not to disturb him. This shows a lot of his maturity because after thinking from his point of view, Scout empathizes with him and with his predicament particularly applies at the end of the novel when he is on Boo Radleye's porch and says, "Atticus was right... you never really know a man until you put yourself in his shoes... Just stand on the porch at Radley." At first, he judges Boo based on the myths surrounding him, but when he sees the neighborhood through his eyes, it is evident that Scout has come to some understanding of Boo as he sees his humanity and how he truly cared for her all along, even though she never saw him. Ultimately, Scout learned to respect and value differences in people by applying Atticus's advice. Emotional GrowthScout shows emotional growth when he finds himself trying empathy for others, becoming self-aware and learning self-control. One example in the novel where she showed emotional maturity is when she walked away from fighting Cecil Jacobs. Scout is a very short-tempered young girl and would argue whenever she was provoked by someone. However, when Cecil was criticizing Atticus, Scout says, "I got his attention, remembered what Atticus had said, then put my fists down and walked away, 'Scout's a cowherd!' ringing in my ears. It was the first time I walked away from a fight, somehow, if I fought Cecil, I would disappoint Atticus.” This shows incredible maturity because Scout doesn't want to disappoint her father and realizes that it's better to ignore negativity rather than act impulsively and fight like she normally would. Scout also learns to sympathize, since following Tom Robinson's conviction, yes he realizes that he has simply been condemned because of the economic divisions that exist in Maycomb Having begun to understand the racism that plagues his city, he feels that blacks are deprived of the same rights as whites when he speaks: “Then what he meant. Mr. Underwood became clear: Atticus had used every tool available to free men to save Tom Robinson, but in the secret courts of men's hearts Atticus had no case mouth and screamed. This brings me to the final point, because even though Mayella testified against Tom, Scout takes pity on her. During Mayella's testimony, she is offended by Atticus questioning her about her friends and referring to her as "Lady". Scout puts herself in Mayella's position and realizes that this is because she has probably never been treated politely in her life. The Ewells are a low-class family neglected by society, and Scout is mature enough to understand her loneliness and the desperation in which she lives. Intellectual Growth Finally, Scout matures intellectually as she develops into a young woman's critical thinking and constant pursuit of knowledge. Scout actively seeks knowledge of her father throughout the novel and he instills in her conscience and morality. The most notable example of this is the previously mentioned lesson of putting yourself in another's shoes before judging them. The reason I mention this again is because it not only helps her mature socially, but also intellectually as she gains a sense of awareness through these tips and as a result her thinking improves. Scouts' most notable example of her intellectual maturity through using this advice was when she was able to get under Walter Cunningham Sr.'s skin and appeal to his humanity..