Character Analysis: Jem Coming of Age in Maycomb

It Is More Than What Meets The Eye: Jem Coming of Age in Maycomb

In the bildungsroman, To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee portrays the false judgments of humanity through key events of Jem’s coming of age. Harper Lee’s novel explores many themes in which many are applicable to today’s society. Jem, the brother of the story's protagonist, lives in Maycomb. Alongside his younger sister Scout, he is constantly faced with the hard truths of reality. Although impressions are how children perceive an individual, for the most part, Harper Lee argues that through coming of age children notice there is more to a person than what meets the eye because people have both internal and external lives.

Lee utilizes person versus self to portray the struggles of Mrs.Dubose in order to teach Jem a valuable lesson. After introducing the death of Mrs. Dubose, Atticus asks Jem, “‘Son, didn’t you know what her fits were?’ Jem shook his head. ‘Mrs. Dubose was a morphine addict,’ said Atticus. [...] ‘Sir?’ said Jem,” (Lee 127). Jem has been confronted with the unpleasant reality concerning Mrs. Duboses' underlying nature, as well as the tragedy of her lifestyle. He is astonished as he had established false assumptions, allowing for a profound mindset change. This subplot's falling action remains a key scene in Jem's coming of age towards perspective within Mrs. Dubose. Harper Lee conveys that events that lead up to coming of age can reveal shocking information. Some of which can be very difficult for ones mind to process. In addition, Atticus informs Jem, “‘She said she was going to leave this world beholden to nothing and nobody. [...] She said she meant to break herself of it before she dies, and that’s what she did.’ Jem said, ‘You mean that’s what her fits were?’” (Lee 127). Through his conversation with his father, Jem realizes that Mrs. Duboses’ outbursts were caused by internal issues rather than animosity. As Jem comes of age in the sense to understand Mrs. Duboses' person-versus-self conflict, he comprehends how her struggle interferes with her capability to be genuine in the presence of others. Harper Lee conveys that events that lead up to coming of age can reveal shocking information. Some of which can be very difficult for ones mind to process. The significance of the literary element plot is essential considering Jem faced many hardships when confronting Mrs. Dubose that met his eye.

In addition to the person versus self-conflict, Lee exemplifies the ongoing theme of the coming of age through the usage of situational irony. When conversing about their past neighbor to Jem, Atticus states, “‘If you hadn’t fallen into her hands, I’d have made you go read to her anyway. It may have been some distraction. There was another reason—’ ‘Did she die free?’ asked Jem,” (Lee 127). Atticus discusses how Jem's perpetrated actions allowed for tranquility in Mrs. Dubose's last months she had. It is important to emphasize that Jem begins to feel remorseful through the use of his frequently asked questions. Harper Lee's use of idioms and flashbacks are noteworthy because they highlight Jem's prior accusations against Mrs. Dubose. Furthermore, Atticus shocks Jem by stating, “‘You know, she was a great lady.’ ‘A lady?’ Jem raised his head. His face was scarlet. ‘After all those things she said about you, a lady?’ ‘She was. She had her own views about things, a lot different from mine, maybe,’” (Lee 128). Jem becomes agitated because he does not understand how one can be on good terms with someone who talked behind their back. The literary element of situational irony demonstrates the development of Jem's character through this coming of age scene.

Although many may believe that one's initial perspective of another remains constant, this is not the case with Jem’s perspective of Mrs. Dubose As jem grows he changes persoective. As Jem opens a box while next to Atticus, he sees “Inside, surrounded by wads of damp cotton, was a white, waxy, perfect camellia. [...] “Old hell-devil, old hell-devil!’ [...] ‘I think that was her way of telling you —everything’s all now, Jem, everything’s all right,’” (Lee 128). Despite Jem's frequent quarrels of rage toward Mrs. Dubose, it is evident that he is calmed down by his father, Atticus. The camellia is a powerful symbol and literary element in Jem's development into adulthood as it reminds him of Mrs. Dubose and her multifaceted personality. Moreover, Atticus discusses to Jem, “‘She was the bravest person I knew.’ Jem picked up the candy box and threw it in the fire. He picked up the camilla, and when I went off to bed I saw him fingering the wide petals,” (Lee 128). After Atticus acknowledges Mrs. Dubose as "the bravest person" he knows, Jem's act of fingering the broad petals demonstrates how he now understands the double consciousness that Mrs. Dubose felt. This reveals that Jem was able to overcome his conflict with Mrs. Dubose after gaining fresh insight.

Through this key event in the novel, Jem gained a new perspective of Mrs. Dubose. Even though his perspectives toward others stayed constant, it is clear that Jem now understands that there is more than what meets the eye. Harper Lee depicts humanity's mistaken judgments through important moments in novels like the said event.