Skip to main content

In what way are the last two pages of Chapter 30 of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird considered a 'coming of age moment' for Scout?

At the end of Chapter 30, Sheriff Tate tells Atticus that he would consider it a crime to tell the community of Maycomb that Boo Radley saved the children because it would bring unwanted attention to Boo. Tate realizes that Boo is a very shy individual, and making him the center of the community's attention would be harmful. Sheriff Tate tells Atticus that he will tell the community that Bob Ewell fell on his own...

At the end of Chapter 30, Sheriff Tate tells Atticus that he would consider it a crime to tell the community of Maycomb that Boo Radley saved the children because it would bring unwanted attention to Boo. Tate realizes that Boo is a very shy individual, and making him the center of the community's attention would be harmful. Sheriff Tate tells Atticus that he will tell the community that Bob Ewell fell on his own knife and died. Atticus looks down at Scout and says, "Mr. Ewell fell on his knife. Can you possibly understand?" (Lee 370). Scout tells her father that she understands and comments that Tate made the right decision. Atticus asks Scout what she means, and Scout says, "Well, it'd be sort of like shootin' a mockingbird, wouldn't it?" (Lee 370).


Scout's response indicates that she understands the importance of protecting innocent beings. Earlier in the novel, Atticus told Scout and Jem that it was a sin to shoot a mockingbird. Maudie elaborated on Atticus' lesson and commented that mockingbirds do nothing to harm anyone and simply make music for people to enjoy. Scout likens Boo's scenario to Atticus' lesson about not killing mockingbirds because she views Boo as a metaphorical "mockingbird." Scout realizes that mockingbirds symbolically represent any innocent being, and Boo Radley is in fact an innocent person who means well. Her ability to metaphorically connect Atticus' lesson to Boo's situation demonstrates her moral development and is considered a "coming of age moment" because she understands the deeper meaning attached to not killing mockingbirds. 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

Discuss movements that were inspired by the Civil Rights Movement and list one success for each group.

African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change... African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change for their agendas. Two examples of moveme...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...
Post a Comment
Read more