Sean Correa

Ms. Starry
English 9 Honors Period 3
5 November 2015
Scout and Life
In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee it develops a story that involves
Scout, one of the main characters. The plot constantly builds on how some experiences shape her
identity, what those events convey to the reader about life and living, and how other various
events impact her life. The trial-for instance-is an event that greatly influenced her life, her
persona, and overall helped her understand the world more clearly.
A persons identity is a key factor that expresses many different aspects of them.
Scouts identity in particular is one that sequentially evolves as the exposition and rising action
develop. A prime example of this is the behaviors that she presents to the reader such as when
Scout first meets Charles Baker Harris and says to him so what? (Lee 8). The
acknowledgement that Scout gives Charles emits a negative vibe between them due to the fact
that Scout didnt present a formal greeting. Instead she chose to use a more enigmatic and
grievous tone with Charles as if she just wanted him to get straight to the point. However near
the end of the book Scout appears to be more formal and less childish than at the beginning of
the novel. This can be represented by the way she addressed Atticus when he was reading Scout
The Gray Ghost story how she states Atticus, I wasnt scared (Lee 375). From the beginning of

the novel to that point, Scout has evolved her persona at an exponential rate especially at such a
young age. Lee wanted to show that over long periods of time, changes in a persons identity and
behavior will occur.
The Tom Robinson trial is an event that can show the audience various aspects about
life and living. One way this is exposed is when the narrator states Tom Robinson was probably
the only person who was ever decent to her[Mayella Ewell](Lee 257). Because of the time
period, Scout realizes that the difference in skin color, race, etc. people should always be kind
and respectful to others around them. The tone that the author gives us represents how we should
live our everyday lives. Everyone will go through the day seeing countless new people, but no
matter who they are they should always be treated with respect. Tom Robinson is a character that
presents himself in a kind manner; especially to Mayella how he was glad to do it[perform
services for Mayella Ewell] even though he received no pay. This creates the same effect how
people should be everlastingly kind to everyone around them. Although the Tom Robinson trial
didnt seem to have much significance the reality of it was to teach the audience different lessons
on how to treat others.
On the other hand, the trial also taught Scout multiple morals too. An example of this is
when Mr. Gilmer is talking to Tom during court and says Youre[Tom Robinson] a mighty good
fellow, it seems-did all of this[the services for Link Deas and Mayella] for not one penny?( Lee
236). This allows Scout to realize that its nice if a person does chores for other people without
wanting anything in return. The point is that one shouldnt need something, they should just help
people without wanting anything in return. A second representation that Scout can learn from is
when the book states That was might generous of you, you had chores at home after your
regular work,(Lee 263). This impacts Scouts identity by building on her ability to

cope with life, how there wont always be an easy way out of things. Moreover the consultation
can understand that life is packed with countless problems, but everyone will have to face them
eventually so theres no point to avoiding them or being lazy. People will have to cope with the
fact that life is not always going to go the way they want it to.
Throughout the entire novel of To Kill A Mockingbird, Scout has immeasurably grown
from who she started out to be from the beginning of the book. She first started out to be an
innocent little girl, but now shes a key figure of something way above her age and academic
level.

Works Cited
Lee, Harper. To Kill a Mockingbird. Philadelphia: Lippincott, 1960. Print.