Examples Of Loss Of Innocence In To Kill A Mockingbird

In To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee tells the story of two kids as they grow up in the South during the Depression. Jeremy Atticus Finch, also known as Jem, and Jean Louise Finch, also known as Scout grow up with their father, Atticus in Maycomb, Alabama. The story takes place during three summers filled with life lessons about courage, justice, and friendship. Lee demonstrates that the loss of innocence occurs when one witnesses injustice. Jem loses his innocence by witnessing the prejudice against Tom Robinson, a black man. During the trial, Jem remains confident that Atticus would win the trial and Tom’s life would revert back to normal, so Jem asserts, “but don’t fret, we’ve won it,” he said wisely. “Don’t see how any jury could convict what we heard” (279). Although the quote demonstrates

At this point, Jem’s mind remains set that Tom Robinson will not be convicted. However, the judge’s perspective towards colored people lies inevident enough to ensure that Tom will not be pleaded guilty. When Reverend Sykes, the reverend of the First Purchase African American Church, informed Jem of the misfortune all black men encounter in trial, Jem “took an exception to Reverend Sykes” (279). After Tom Robinson’s trial, Jem became furious and confused at the prejudice against Tom. Jem believed that Tom would be proven innocent, because of Atticus’ in-depth argument against Mayella Ewell, the daughter of a white family of the lowest ranks, but Jem eventually faces the undenying truth. As the jury came in, “not one of them looked at Tom Robinson and a jury never looks at a defendant it has convicted.” Judge Taylor was polling the jury: “Guilty … guilty … guilty … guilty” (282) and as he starts to finish, “It was Jem’s turn to cry, his face was streaked with angry tears as we made our way through the cheerful crowd. Jem’s hope began to shatter as the votes came in, “It ain’t right,” he muttered,