How Jem Changed
Jeremy Atticus Finch, more commonly known as Jem, was not the main character in Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird; however, Jem is the character who is the most dynamic because of the vast changes that he goes through during the story. At the beginning of the book Jem is very similar to his younger sister Scout. They are both hot-headed and often make rash decisions that land them in trouble because of it; for example, trespassing on the Radley’s porch and almost being killed by Nathan Radley. However, as the story progresses and the children learn about Atticus being involved in Tom’s trial, differences start to develop between Jem and Scout. Scout continues to be hot-headed and became angry with anyone who insults Atticus over the trial, while Jem remains calm, as if he knows that becoming angry wouldn’t help anything. He also begins to think more about what is going on in Maycomb, and what the people who live there are really like. Jem’s ability to keep his head under stressful circumstances, combined with his newfound deep-thinking really show Jem’s developing maturity.
Jem however betrays this maturity when he loses his temper with Mrs. Dubose, who harasses him and insults Atticus constantly, and destroys her flowers. After being forced to pay back his vandalism by reading to Mrs. Dubose, who soon after dies due to her old age, Atticus teaches Jem about what courage really is, and how he could learn a lesson from Mrs. Dubose; who quit her Morphine addiction so she could die “free” even though it put her through a lot of pain. Jem takes this lesson to heart and continues to mature as Tom’s trial grows nearer.
When the trial finally arrives Jem sees firsthand all of the racism and hate that exists in Maycomb and is disgusted by it, yet he holds out hope that Atticus can still convince the town of Tom’s innocence. All of those hopes are crushed when the verdict comes in and Tom is found guilty. Jem becomes distraught knowing that the people of Maycomb could do something so immoral and his views change. Jem becomes more cynical and starts to see why Boo Radley stays inside, when the world that he lives in is so cruel.
At the very end of the book all of Jem’s maturity is tested when he and Scout are attacked by Bob Ewell. Jem defends his sister from a grown man with a knife, having his arm broken and being knocked unconscious, even though he is still a child himself. This climatic event truly shows how Jem changed throughout the story; from an immature kid who harassed his shy neighbor, to selfless older brother who risked his life to protect his sister.
Jem however betrays this maturity when he loses his temper with Mrs. Dubose, who harasses him and insults Atticus constantly, and destroys her flowers. After being forced to pay back his vandalism by reading to Mrs. Dubose, who soon after dies due to her old age, Atticus teaches Jem about what courage really is, and how he could learn a lesson from Mrs. Dubose; who quit her Morphine addiction so she could die “free” even though it put her through a lot of pain. Jem takes this lesson to heart and continues to mature as Tom’s trial grows nearer.
When the trial finally arrives Jem sees firsthand all of the racism and hate that exists in Maycomb and is disgusted by it, yet he holds out hope that Atticus can still convince the town of Tom’s innocence. All of those hopes are crushed when the verdict comes in and Tom is found guilty. Jem becomes distraught knowing that the people of Maycomb could do something so immoral and his views change. Jem becomes more cynical and starts to see why Boo Radley stays inside, when the world that he lives in is so cruel.
At the very end of the book all of Jem’s maturity is tested when he and Scout are attacked by Bob Ewell. Jem defends his sister from a grown man with a knife, having his arm broken and being knocked unconscious, even though he is still a child himself. This climatic event truly shows how Jem changed throughout the story; from an immature kid who harassed his shy neighbor, to selfless older brother who risked his life to protect his sister.