One of the most difficult time in a person's life is childhood. It is a time where human beings are trying to understand the world around them. This is how it is for the lives of the fictional characters Scout, Jem, and Dill in the novel 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee. The children have a difficult time in the novel because of the opinion of others, the events of Maycomb, and the conflicts of emotions.
In the novel Scout and Jem have to face people's opinions that are considered morally wrong. The majority of people who live in the town of Maycomb show racism towards African-Americans. A lot of people's thoughts were like this because of the environment they lived in. Racism was clearly seen during the trial of Tom Robinson. Atticus, the defending lawyer and father of Scout and Jem proved to the jury that Tom Robinson was definitely innocent.
Screenshot of To Kill a Mockingbird(an American mo...
Pie chart of religions of African Americans
Steyr ScoutThe jury knowing of Tom's innocence still gave a guilty verdict because of Tom's skin color. Scout and Jem were taught by their father that people were equal. This had to be hard for them learning to believe people where equal yet see the community around them racist towards African-Americans. In the book Mr. Raymond describes this conflict:
"Cry about the simple hell people give other people-without even thinking. Cry about the hell white people give colored folks, without even stopping to think that they're people, too." (201, ch.20)
The character Aunt Alexandra has views that conflicts with Scout's opinions. Aunt Alexandra does not like Scout being in the company of people who are poor or who do not have a good reputation. Scout just wants to be friends with good folks. The difference of views clash when Alexandra does not permit Scout to...