Examples Of Innocence In To Kill A Mockingbird

In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Jem, Scout, and Dill’s innocence is destroyed causing them to lose their carefree and happy self after witnessing the ignorance and racism against the African-American citizens in their hometown of Maycomb. Prior to the traumatic events, the children believe everyone in Maycomb is friendly. They did not realize the racism occurring in their town until Tom Robinson’s trial. After spectating the Tom Robinson trial, the children’s view of some of the people in their town change because of their hatred against black and the injustice in the courtroom. Tom is a black man convicted of raping a white girl and despite the evidences that are on Robinson’s side, he is found guilty and is sentenced to

The Finch family has an African-American cook, named Calpurnia, who is fond of Scout and Jem. When Atticus leaves and the children are alone on Sunday, Calpurnia brings Jem and Scout to church. When comparing similarities and differences, Jem and Scout are amazed how the black church sings hymns in “linin,” (pg 165) instead of just reading from the hymn books. ‘Linin’ is where one person speaks the line of the song for the choir to know what to sing and is done because not everyone in the church could read. Since Scout has a great time accompanying Calpurnia and thought nothing wrong of a white person to associate with a black person, she asks Calpurnia, “Can I see you sometimes...Out to your house,” (167-168). Calpurnia does not mind replies kindly, “Anytime you want to. We’d be glad to have you,” 168), but Aunt Alexandra, who believes it is improper for a white lady to visit a black woman's home, put a stop to the visit (181). Aunt Alexandria’s beliefs and discrimination against black people upset Scout because the child thought nothing wrong of her staying with a black women like Calpurnia. Atticus, Scout and Jem’s father, teach the children to treat the black citizens of Maycomb with respect and accept the differences they both