Jem's Growth In To Kill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee

People grow up fast. In this case, it is Jem Finch in Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird. Throughout the book, we see evidence of Jem growing up. We can see him starting to become more mature. Jem’s growth is revealed through irony, internal conflict, and external conflict. To begin with, irony is one way Jem’s growth is shown in the book. For example in chapter 10, a rabid dog enters the neighborhood and Calpurnia calls Atticus to come home. Atticus brings Sheriff Heck Tate to shoot the dog. He then hands the gun over to Atticus telling him to shoot the dog. Jem starts to worry because he thinks Atticus can’t even shoot a gun. But Atticus then shoots and kills the dog with one shot. Jem is amazed of what his father just did and he is proud. In conclusion, Jems opinion of Atticus completely changes after this ironic event. It also builds his relationship with his dad.

In chapter 6, Jem loses his pants in the Radley’s yard when the kids go to see Boo Radley and Mr. Radley shot the shotgun and scared the kids. Jem is scared to go back after what happened but builds up courage and makes the decision to go back to them. This shows that Jem matures and makes this important decision to go back to the Radley’s yard and grab his pants. Therefore, Jem’s growth starts when he builds up courage to go back to the Radley’s yard. Lastly, external conflict is another way that Jem’s growth is in the book. In chapter 15, the kids follow Atticus to the Jailhouse where Tom Robinson is, and see’s Atticus sitting outside of the jailhouse. A group of men pull up to the jailhouse wanting to kill Tom. The kids run to Atticus but he tells them to go home. Jem, knowing what will happen if they leave, refused. This shows that Jem doesn’t care if he gets hurt or not but he will do anything to protect his dad. This is one of the important decisions that he made in the