Innocence is something everybody has had at one point in time or another but its also something that always fails to stay. Life experiences, as well as presence during times of injustice, will ultimately lead to the shattering of a child's innocence. In Harper Lee's novel To Kill a Mockingbird, loss of innocence is displayed through Jem's experiences and coming of age. Jem's visitation to Calpurnia's church had introduced him to the many negative qualities of Maycomb and its people. He also takes in the flaws of prejudice and judgment through his time with Boo Radley. Particularly, it was the trial that shattered his innocence entirely. Jem's witnessing of the harsh racism and brutal injustice during Tom Robinson's trial brought it two steps further, and he broke down. Innocence is something many strive to maintain, but life experiences and viewings of racism and injustice as portrayed by Harper Lee prevent just that.
Calpurnia’s church had greeted Jem with prejudice, poverty, racism, as well as the birth of Jem’s realization of how Maycomb truly was. Upon arrival to Cal’s …show more content…
His frequent experiences with racism, poverty, prejudice, and much more have allowed Jem to grow not only as a child but has also matured into a young adult who better understands the world. Calpurnia and her church provided Jem with his initial thoughts and ideas about poverty, racism, and prejudice. Jem’s experiences with Boo Radley had not only furthered his thoughts about prejudice but has also taught Jem a lesson about judgment. Lastly, the trial in which his innocence had shattered completely. His viewings of pure racism and ignorance throughout the trial had sickened and caused Jem to question how the people of Maycomb really are. Although innocence is something wished to be maintained, life experiences, as well as viewings of racism and injustice as shown by Lee, makes that very