Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird - Scout's ethical transformation throughout the novel

"He had to stoop a little to accommodate me, but if Miss Stephanie Crawford was watching from her upstairs window, she would see Arthur Radley escorting me down the sidewalk, as any gentleman would do (231)."

This quotation reveals several details about the personality of Scout and how she has become much more mature over the coarse of the novel. Scout finally acts the part of a hospitable Southern lady in assisting Boo around the house and seeing him home, interacting with him in a serious and grown-up fashion. Although it appears that Boo Radley is escorting Scout, it is actually Scout escorting Boo Radley home. Scout must do this because if anyone saw Boo Radley being escorted, they would think he was strange and would harass him, much like killing a mockingbird. Furthermore, by Scout leading Boo Radley home, she is exhibiting the same feminine hostess traits that Aunt Alexandra possesses.

President George W. Bush awards the Presidential M...

Lord of the Flies

Northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)

Just as Aunt Alexandra leads everyone to her front door before saying goodbye, Scout leads Boo Radley home before leaving him. This lady-like gesture is a sharp contrast from the immature young girl she used to be. In the beginning of the novel, Scout was the one being escorted, not herself escorting another. This can be seen when Jem must take Scout to town so that she could buy herself the toy wand. Furthermore, Scout is also mature and courageous enough to be able walk without Jem or Dill to Boo Radley's house. She used to be afraid to even use a fishing pole to reach Boo's house, but now she is able to walk on his front porch and peer directly inside his house. The introduction of Boo Radley into Scout's life is a magnificent event, for it has taught her several important lessons. The most important...