![]() Scout also struggles to understand these things, but even following the trial is able to maintain her belief in the goodness of human nature. The challenge of this struggle causes him great emotional pain as he tries to come to terms with disappointing realities of inequality, racism, and general unfairness. He held a strong belief in the goodness of all people, but after the trial must reevaluate his understanding of human nature. ![]() The realization that there is true evil within their society shakes Jem to the core. During Tom Robinson's trial, the children are sorely disappointed when the jury, made up of their fellow townspeople, convicts the obviously innocent Tom Robinson simply because he is a black man and his accuser is white. At the beginning of the novel, they approach life innocently believing in the goodness of all people, thinking everyone understands and adheres to the same values they and their father do. Jem leads this change, as he is older than Scout, but both children experience it. Throughout the book, Scout and Jem make the classic transition from innocence to maturity. Despite the challenge of overcoming the town's deeply ingrained racism and forcing people to change their social perspectives, Atticus struggles on, because he believes that one day, goodness will prevail over the evils of racism and racial equality will exist. In the racist town of Maycomb in the heart of America's South during the Depression era, this is a Herculean task. Atticus teaches this to his children, but also to the town, as he works to defend Tom Robinson, an innocent black man accused of raping a white woman. Atticus believes that people usually contain aspects of both good and evil, but that good will usually prevail. Atticus, father of Scout and Jem, also plays the role of teacher, for his children and his town. To Kill a Mockingbird is an exploration of human morality, and presents a constant conversation regarding the inherent goodness or evilness of people.
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