When looking from the mind's eye view of a child, life seems simple and innocent. It is not until a child encounters a traumatic event will the mind set change. Every child is born with such innocence; yet, no person grows or matures until they have lost such innocence. Scout loses her innocence after the trial of Tom Robinson when she realizes how unfair and bias the world can be. Harper Lee uses the character of Scout to develop the theme of innocence in the story.
Harper Lee uses Scout's innocence to portray the events of life so that readers may remember ho their actions may affect others, " I'll tell him you said hey, little lady' he said. Then he straightened up and waved a big paw. Let's clear out, he called. "Let's get going, boys '- (Lee 154). Scout does not realize the severity of her actions, but her innocence and ignorance to the situation caused a grown man to back down from violence. Mr. Cunningham's purpose for going to the jail that evening was anger and prejudice; in spite of this purpose, he changed his actions after he realized his actions were not appropriate. It took the innocence of a child to make him realize his anger was not acceptable. In addition, Scout changed Mr. Cunningham's opinion without knowing; the times when children reach out and touch us become the times we cherish the most, " So it took an eight-year-old child to bring 'em to his senses didn't it?' said Atticus. That proves something "that a gang of wild animals can be stopped, simply because they're still human '- (Lee 157). The actions we make are sometimes due to peer pressure, such as the case of Mr. Cunningham. He was in a mob mentality, which cased him to act in ways he normally would not. In his transformation, the innocence involved shows no matter how small a person is their actions may cause a large response. Mr. Cunningham changed his views due to Scout; others may be touched and change their views too.
