Comparing To Kill a Mockingbird and Bless Me, Ultima.

Childhood is the most carefree part of a persons life. Children are instinctively pure creatures, unperturbed by the troubles that may surround them. Like the quote above states, the incidents they go through are simply black and white, good and bad. However, as they grow older, they lose their innocent state of mind. They are suddenly thrown into a world where they are constantly struggling to defeat the odds and are desperately seeking answers to lifes questions. Is there anyone that helps them during this difficult time, to see the shades of gray? Of course, there can be many answers to this question, but I think the single most influential person who guides a child through this stage is a family member. Family is one of the most†¦show more content†¦Its when you youre licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do. Mrs. Dubose won, all ninety-eight pounds of her. According to her views, she died be holden to nothing and nobody. She was the bravest person I knew. (page 112) When Atticus tries to tell Jem that a man with a gun is not courageous, he is downplaying the fact that he really isnt proud of being the sharpest shooter back in the day, that is not something that makes a person virtuous. However, he is actually describing himself in this quote. By taking up Toms case, Atticus knows he is licked before he begins, but he sees it through anyways because he knows it is the right thing to do. The trial of Tom Robinson is what affects Jem most. His idealistic notions of life are crushed when innocent Tom is convicted. He has no idea how to comprehend the injustice that he has just witnessed. The strong presence of Atticus in Jems life is what will help him see the positive impact of the trial. At the beginning of Chapter 25, Jem refuses to allow Scout to squash a roly-poly bug because it has done nothing to harm her. Why couldnt I mash him? I asked. Because they dont bother you , Jem answered in the darkness. (page 238) After seeing the unjust destruction of Tom, Jem clearly sees the unfairness in destroying the innocent. Jem