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 hyperbole in the story "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry?

The most obvious use of hyperbole in "The Gift of the Magi" occurs when the narrator describes Della's and Jim's evaluations of their two treasures—her long, luxuriant hair and his gold watch. Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his... The most obvious use of hyperbole in "The Gift of the Magi" occurs when the narrator describes Della's and Jim's evaluations of their two treasures—her long, luxuriant hair and his gold watch. Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his treasures piled up in the basement, Jim would have pulled out his watch every time he passed, just to see him plu
Post a Comment
Read more

How can I analyze Moon and Six Pence by Somerset Maugham?

In "Moon and Sixpence," loosely based on the life of Paul Gaugin, Maugham presents a study of the tension between the "civilized" life of 19th century Europe, and the lead character's desire to throw off the shackles of bourgeois life. Charles Strickland is a middle-aged English stockbroker with a wife and family. By abandoning his domestic life, Strickland commits what many in European society would consider a gross betrayal of one of the foundations of... In "Moon and Sixpence," loosely based on the life of Paul Gaugin, Maugham presents a study of the tension between the "civilized" life of 19th century Europe, and the lead character's desire to throw off the shackles of bourgeois life. Charles Strickland is a middle-aged English stockbroker with a wife and family. By abandoning his domestic life, Strickland commits what many in European society would consider a gross betrayal of one of the foundations of that society. His decision to e
Post a Comment
Read more

What are some literary devices in Macbeth, Act V, Scene 1?

Act V, Scene i of Macbeth certainly continues the imagery that is prevalent in the play with its phantasmagoric realm, as in this scene a succession of things are seen or imagined by Lady Macbeth. Imagery - The representation of sensory experience Lady Macbeth imagines that she sees bloody spots (visual imagery) on the stairs; she also smells blood (olfactory imagery): Here's the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not... Act V, Scene i of Macbeth certainly continues the imagery that is prevalent in the play with its phantasmagoric realm, as in this scene a succession of things are seen or imagined by Lady Macbeth. Imagery - The representation of sensory experience Lady Macbeth imagines that she sees bloody spots (visual imagery) on the stairs; she also smells blood (olfactory imagery): Here's the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. Oh! oh, oh! (5.1.53-55) Hyperbole - Obvious exaggeration  There is also h
Post a Comment
Read more