Reality In To Kill A Mockingbird

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Perception vs. Reality in To Kill a Mockingbird
“Humans see what they want to see”- Rick Riordan. As humans, we naturally have personal beliefs that affect the way we see the world. These perceptions can be swayed by anything, from the media to our parents. Our perception of others can be dramatically different from what is true. In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, the two main characters, Scout and Jem, have perceptions that also differ from reality, and these perceptions cause them to learn and mature throughout the book. In the novel, Jem and Scout mature by changing the way they perceive reality by realizing their father, Atticus, isn’t as boring as they thought, learning about Boo Radley, watching Tom Robinson’s trial, …show more content…

They realize their father, Atticus, is much more interesting than he seems by witnessing him shoot a mad dog. Jem and Scout also realize that Boo Radley is kind and thoughtful, not insane and evil after having some interactions with him. Jem discovers that his dad isn’t perfect by watching him lose a trial that he was certain to win. Finally, Jem and Scout find out that Mrs. Dubose is trying to quit morphine, and she isn’t just a grumpy old woman. The theme of perception versus reality may seem like it is only applicable in books like To Kill a Mockingbird, but it is actually more prolific in our lives than it seems. When we are children, we perceive that the world is only as big as where we have been, but in reality, it is of course much bigger. As we become adults, we look up to others for help because we perceive them to be a good role models, but those illusions are sometimes shattered by the reality of their imperfections. Also, on social media, people only post the perfect moments in life, when in reality they could be troubled. In politics, the population could perceive that a president will live up to their expectations, as they promised, but in reality, little is accomplished. To Kill a Mockingbird shows us that experiences and relationships have the power to change perceptions in ways we may not have ever

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