book

Scout in To Kill A Mockingbird

21 Pages 1057 Words 1557 Views

The characterization of Scout in Harper Lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, is seen from the progression of a child’s eyes, and the many experiences and lessons learned are carried through to her adulthood. Scout has many experiences with the prejudices dealing with race. Lee introduces Scout as a young girl living in Alabama in the early 1930’s. She lives with her father, Atticus Finch, and older brother, Jem Finch. Jem and Scout are basically raised by Calpurnia, a black “maid” who comes and watches after them and takes care of the house while Atticus is at work. Because Scout lives with just her father and brother, and is raised mainly by a black woman, she has many encounters with different types of racism. To begin with, throughout the novel it is made clear that the Finch’s always go to church, but when Atticus leaves for a business trip, Calpurnia is left to watch after the children. On this Sunday in which Atticus is not home, Calpurnia decides to take Scout and Jem to her church. On this trip to a “black church”, Scout, Jem and Calpurnia are confronted by Lula; a black woman who is offended when Calpurnia brings the two white children to their black church. “‘You ain’t got no business bringin’ white chillun here-they got their church, we got our’n. It is our church, ain’t it, Miss Cal?’ Calpurnia said, ‘It’s the same God, ain’t it?’” (Lee, Pg. 158) This quote shows that there is much tension when two white children are brought into a black church. Later during this experience, Scout realizes that many things done at a “black church” are the same as a “white church”. “Reverend Sykes then called on the Lord to bless the sick and the suffering, a procedure no different from our church practice.” (Pg. 161) Scout is starting to learn that blacks are no different from whites, but because they are a different color they are treated differently. Scout has another experience with r

Read Full Essay