Perception In To Kill A Mockingbird Free Essay Sample

In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Jem Finch believes the people of Maycomb are reliable and trustworthy. He believes in the legal system, and that innocent people do not get convicted. Eventually, rumors, lies, and the trial of Tom Robinson alternate his perception of the society in Maycomb, exposing their racist sides.

Jem begins in the world of Maycomb, believing adults would always show the truth and never lie. He believes that the world is a happy paradise and his community knows what's best. For example, as Scout states, “Inside the house lived a malevolent phantom. People said he existed, but Jem and I had never seen him. People said he went out at night when the moon was down, and peeped in the windows,” (Lee, p. 9). Scout’s description reflects what the town believes about Boo Radley. Even if Jem had never seen Boo, he still believes he existed as a monstrous figure, based on what the town claims. Jem goes on and claims, “He goes out, all right, when it’s pitch dark. Miss Stephanie Crawford said she woke up in the middle of the night one time and saw him looking straight through the window at her” (Lee, p. 13). Also, Scout recalls, “Jem gave a reasonable description of Boo: Boo was about six-and-a-half feet tall, judging from his tracks; he dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch” (Lee, p. 14). Based on these interactions, Jem absorbs rumors that flow around the town of Maycomb, even though he has never seen Boo Radley himself. In addition, Jem spreads those rumors, meaning he believes the adults. Furthermore, Jem suggests playing “Boo Radley,” in which he articulates his feelings and beliefs as the stereotyped version of the true Boo. His trust leads him to take in and believe many false rumors the community says, without fact-checking himself.

Throughout the middle of the novel, Jem begins to doubt the trustworthiness of the community he once believed was a happy paradise. For instance, Jem and Scout discovered a way to communicate with Boo Radley, learning he is not a “malevolent phantom” (Lee, p. 9) as the town portrays him. This causes a break in Jem’s previous beliefs. He learns the community does lie, because Boo was not the monstrous figure he thought he was based on rumors. Furthermore, Nathan Radley plugs the knothole with cement, cutting off the only source of communication with Boo. Jem questions Nathan, and he responds, “Tree’s dying. You plug ‘em with cement when they’re sick,” (Lee, p. 70). Since Boo is a reclusive person, leaving little “gifts” for the children was tantamount to connecting with the outside world, especially with Jem and Scout. After Jem learns Nathan lied, he stands alone on the porch and cries. Due to this, Jem grows in both insight and maturity. He once again feels betrayed that a trustworthy adult would lie to him. Additionally, the Tom Robinson trial is a pivotal moment in Jem’s life, along with lies. After the trial, Jem repeats the phrase “It ain’t right,” (Lee, p. 242) over and over again. As Jem is about to sleep, he asks Atticus, “How could they do it, how could they?” (Lee, p. 243). His question is a powerful accusation of the town for committing a “crime.” Moreover, Jem’s response to the jury’s illogical decision exposes his feelings. Furthermore, the verdict leaves Jem disillusioned, shattering his previous understanding of Maycomb’s community. Knowing that the people he once believed as good folks could send an innocent man because of his skin color shaped Jem’s new beliefs and leads him to be more cynical. Through the aftermath of the trial, Jem’s reactions are a result of change, in which he finally understands the coexistence of good and evil.

As the novel comes to an end, Jem’s previous beliefs about Maycomb’s society have completely changed, and he realizes the true nature of the citizens. As he speaks to Miss Maudie, Jem says, “I always thought Maycomb folks were the best folks in the world, least that's what they seemed like,” (Lee, p. 246). In further detail, Jem has comprehended the prejudiced side of Maycomb. He speaks in past tense, such as they “seemed” like they were the greatest people. He no longer views Maycomb’s society as the “best.” Next, Jem claims, “I think I’m beginning to understand why Boo Radley’s stayed shut up in the house all this time… it’s because he wants to stay inside,” (Lee, p. 259). Jem comes to this conclusion as he experienced Tom’s wrongful conviction. He connects what he's learned from the case to Boo Radley, who is unfairly treated and discriminated against. Additionally, Jem must not want to be a part of a prejudiced society, and suspects that Boo must think the same. His empathetic statement is a realization of what kind of person Boo is, and why he would want to stay enclosed from the outside world. Since he surmises he is able to understand Boo, Jem has also changed. If he were Boo, he would want to do the same.

Ultimately, changes happen in Jem’s comprehension of Maycomb’s society. Jem’s perception changes from viewing the community’s attributes as trustworthy and “the best folks in the world” to racist. Moreover, lies such as Nathan Radley’s excuse for plugging the tree, and the prejudiced verdict of the jury, destroy Jem Finch’s innocence and force him out of childhood, into maturity.