Scout’s Influence on Maycomb: to Kill a Mockingbird

Kids are never taken seriously. It is very uncommon to see a grown man take advice from an 8 year old, because they think that kids aren’t going to be able to help.

Sometimes this is true, but other times these kids might know much more than you think. Even though they’re young, they can have a big impact on your life, and you may not even know it! The book I’m going to talk about is, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” by Harper Lee. This book is about Scout, a young girl that shows us her life in Maycomb, and the struggles she had to go through.I am going to prove that Scout helps Atticus, Jem, and Boo discover the realities of life and helps them gain a greater understanding of themselves. Scout helps Atticus discover the realities of life, and gives him a better understanding of himself.

First of all, Scout teaches Atticus how to have responsibility for his kids. An example of this is when Atticus says, “Someone’s been after my children. Jem’s hurt. Between here and the schoolhouse.

I can’t leave my boy. After the incident where Bob Ewell tries to kill Jem and Scout, Atticus realizes that he cannot leave his kids alone, especially in those tough times they are experiencing. She helps him realize that he’s a parent, and there are many responsibilities in being a parent. Secondly, Scout shows Atticus that his kids are more important than anything.

An example of this is Gurges 2 when he says, “If they don’t trust me they won’t trust anybody. Jem and Scout…I won’t have them anymore. ” Also after Bob Ewell tries to kill them, Atticus knows that he cannot live without Jem and Scout.If Scout is never alive, Atticus would not recognize the importance of his children’s trust. Finally, Scout shows him that even though he has different parenting styles, he still raises her properly.

An example of this is when Atticus says, “ I don’t know, but they did it (jury executing Tom). They’ve done it before and they’ve done it tonight and they’ll do it again and when they do it- seems that only children weep. ” He is saying that when the jury executed Tom Robinson because of his colour, Jem and Scout were the only ones who thought that this was wrong.At this time, Atticus realizes that he is raising his kids right, because he raises them to be aware of the troubles of Maycomb, and to know how to handle them correctly. Scout questions him to why the jury says that Tom Robinson is guilty, just because of his colour. This assured Atticus that he taught Jem and Scout to treat everyone equally.

Atticus knows that he is doing his job as a parent right because of Scout. Therefore, Scout helps Atticus discover the realities of life, and helps him gain a greater understanding of himself.Scout helps Jem discover the realities of life and gives him a better understanding of himself.. First of all, Scout gives Jem a sense of responsibility.

This is when Scout describes how Bob Ewell tries to kill her. She says that Jem pulls bob Ewell off of her when he is going to kill her. Instead of running away, Jem risks his life to save Scout. Jem learns that he has to have responsibility over Scout, and he tries to watch over her and make sure she does not get hurt. If Scout is never born, Jem would never realize Gurges 3 how to have responsibility.

Scout helps Jem realize that he has a younger sister, and he needs to take care of her. Secondly, Scout helps Jem understand that just because you are a girl, it does not mean that you have to act like one. An example of this is when Jem says, “It’s time you started bein’ a girl and acting right. ” At the beginning, Jem tells Scout to act like a girl.

By the end, Jem realizes that she is fine just the way she is, and she does not need to change. Scout helps him discover that in life, you do not have to act like a girl if you are a girl, and vice versa.She taught him that being yourself is the best thing you can do. Finally, Scout shows Jem that he is a hero. An example of this is when Scout says, “Mr. Ewell was tryin’ to squeeze me to death, I reckon… then somebody yanked Mr.

Ewell down. Jem must have got up. ” Scout is saying that Jem saves her life, and that if he is not there with her, she would be dead. She helps him realize that he is a hero, and he has a purpose in the family. Therefore, Scout helps Jem gain a sense of responsibility, helps him discover that you do not need to act like a girl if you are one, and shows him that he is a hero.

Scout helps Boo Radley discover the realities of life, and gives him a greater understanding of himself. First of all, Scout shows Boo Radley how it feels to have a friendship again. An example of this is when Boo says, “Will you take me home ? ” He is asking Scout to escort him home. This shows that Scout has made a friendship with Boo Radley, and finally shoes him what it feels like to have a friend again. Without Scout, Boo Radley would still be in his house, without a friend.

Scout shows him that having a friend can be one of the best things anyone can have.Secondly, Scout shows Maycomb that Boo is a nice and caring person. An example of this is when Scout says, Gurges 4 “He gave us two soap dolls, a broken watch, a pair of good-luck pennies, and our lives (p. 278).

” Scout is recalling what Boo has given them over the past few years. When the people of Maycomb know what he did for Scout and Jem, they would appreciate him much more. Scout helps Boo realize that in life, you can always change your reputation, and people are not always who you think they are.Finally, Scout helps Boo recognize that he is an important part of Maycomb. For example, when Atticus says, “Thank you for my children, Arthur. ”He is thanking Boo for saving his children from being killed.

Because of Scout, Boo got the chance to prove that Maycomb needed him. Without Scout, he would not be appreciated as a citizen of Maycomb. Scout helps Boo realize that Maycomb couldn’t survive without him. In conclusion, Scout shows Boo how to have a friend again, and helps him realize that he is an important part of Maycomb.As a result, Scout is an important part of the lives of Atticus, Jem, and Boo, and helps them gain a greater self-awareness.

She helps Atticus understand that even though he raised his kids differently, he still raised them to be what he wanted, people who know that there is a problem in the world that must be fixed. She shows Jem that he is a hero, when he rescued her from Bob Ewell. She also showed Boo Radley that he is an important part of Maycomb, because, without him, she would not be alive. This is how Scout has a big impact on the lives of the citizens of Maycomb.