Part of Scout's maturing process comes naturally during
To Kill a Mockingbird, in which she grows from the age of five to
eight years old. But many memorable events occur during these two and one-half years,
creating a loss of innocence that comes much more quickly than in most children her age.
It all begins when she meets Dill early in the novel. Dill not only spurs the children's
curiosity about Boo Radley, but he also serves as a child love interest for Scout. She
eagerly awaits the arrival of Dill each summer; he proposes to her, she accepts, and
they share secret kisses together.
... he would love me forever... and marry me as
soon as he got enough money together... summer was the swiftness with which Dill would
reach up and kiss me when Jem was not looking, the longings we sometimes felt each other
feel... without him, life was
unbearable.
With the gifts
that come in the secret knothole, Scout soon realizes that the terrible rumors about Boo
are not true.
The Radley Place had ceased to terrify me... I
sometimes felt a twinge of remorse... at ever having taken part in what must have been
sheer torment to Arthur
Radley.
She fantasizes about
meeting Boo, how he would "be sitting in the swing," and she would say, "Hidy do, Mr.
Arthur?" But she never believes their meeting will actually
occur.
She discovers for herself that the differences
between white and black people are only skin deep (as symbolized by the Morphodite
Snowman); but she also finds out about the "secret courts of men's hearts" when the jury
disregards the testimony given and convicts Tom Robinson unjustly of rape. Scout also
discovers the true meanings of two of Atticus' reminders--that "it's a sin to kill a
mockingbird," and how it is important to know people before judging them, to "climb into
his skin and walk around in it" first. She sees first-hand that teachers do not always
practice what they preach, and that proper ladies do not always act ladylike (ex:
missionary circle tea). In the final chapters she not only sees Boo in the flesh, but
finds that he is her neighbor and friend.
Atticus was right. One time he said you never
really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. Just standing on
the Radley porch was enough.
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