Question

Which of the following is the most accurate statement about growing up as shown by Harper Lee in the novel?

1) If you are a girl, growing up requires that you wear dresses and learn to be a lady
2) Growing up requires that you accept the normal views of your society
3) Growing up means that you need to learn to fight fairly, and only if someone else starts it first
4) Growing up requires that you learn to understand other people by putting yourself in their shoes

Answer 1

The most accurate statement regarding growing up in Harper Lee's novel is that it entails learning to understand others by seeing the world from their perspectives, embodied in Scout's character. Growing up is less about societal norms and more about developing a mature understanding of morality and justice.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most accurate statement about growing up as shown by Harper Lee in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird is that growing up requires that you learn to understand other people by putting yourself in their shoes. This theme is exemplified through the character development of Scout as she learns to see the world from the perspectives of others, understanding their experiences and motives.

The other options provided consider elements of societal expectations and conduct, but they do not encapsulate the novel's core message on personal growth and moral development. Harper Lee emphasizes the importance of empathy and moral reasoning over conformity to societal norms or specific gender roles. Scout's journey is about developing a nuanced sense of right and wrong, learning from her father, Atticus, the importance of morality, justice, and understanding others. Growing up in the novel is not just about physical changes or learning societal rules, but about gaining the wisdom and perspective needed to navigate a complex world.