The Progression of Change Brooke Waller All children are born with a sense of innocence and curiosity. Many times adults assume that children are unaware of the conflict around them, but often an event or conflict occurs. For example: the betrayal of a friend, a divorce or simply a broken promise, in which fragments of innocence are taken away. At the same time, underneath is a mature, grown up being. In her novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee illustrates her belief that children lose their innocence when exposed to the harsh realities of the world, which helps them grow and mature. Harper Lee highlights the innocence of Scout and Jem at the beginning of the book, then presents a process of maturation of their personalities throughout the book. For example, in the introduction, when the children are interested in trying to get Boo Radley out of the house, Dill bets Jem that Jem would never go beyond the gate of the Radley house: "In all his life, Jem had never Never turned down a challenge." (13) The haunted Radley house is a rather immature idea, as the children take a minor example and make it an ordeal. Additionally, Jem is taking a risk, but has not learned the consequences that can accompany such a risk, and Harper Lee uses this moment of interaction between Jem and Dill to introduce their childlike nature. Subsequently, Scout has a habit of arguing when she gets angry. When asked why she was fighting Walter, she replied "He hasn't had lunch." (22) Scout has no valid reason to instigate a fight with Walter. Therefore, his immaturity is demonstrated. Finally, after the incident at school involving Walter Cunningham not having lunch money, Scout and Atticus talk... middle of paper... kids. He knows that children are among the only members of the community who have taken a positive interest in him; therefore he feels the need to protect them. Once the trial is over, Jem and Scout truly demonstrate their emotional progress. Throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee demonstrates the innocence of adolescents and how experience with the true natures of others enhances progress towards adulthood. When children face difficult situations, they become increasingly aware of the influence of surrounding events. At the end of the story, they saw both favorable and unfavorable circumstances. Because of Jem and Scout's personalities, they are able to form their own beliefs based on the actions of those around them; they then grow, develop mentally, and amplify existing personality traits. They are becoming young adults.