Throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, the main character, Scout, not only matures emotionally, but she also matures socially. Scout learns to develop these characteristics by dealing with the challenges that society throws at her. She also begins to realize that not everyone has the same views as her and that she should learn to value the ideas of others. .
The book begins with Scout revealing herself as a tomboy who wore overalls and always liked to play rough. She was the opposite of a lady and she did not plan on changing her ways for anyone. This revelation is due to the fact that she never truly had a mother figure to care for her, because her mother had died when she was young. Being raised by her father and brother, it made it easier for her to adapt to the ways of men. She was even mocked by her older brother, Jem, when she occasionally acted like a girl. This creates the main problem throughout the entire plot because in the small city of Maycomb, the way society sees a person can affect how other people treat that person. For example, because Scout doesn't act like a lady, she is not respected by the women of Maycomb or by her Aunt Alexandra, and the boys at school are intimidated by her. Her aunt, however, desperately tries to change Scout's ways by moving in with her and her family. Slowly Scout learns that to be able to be successful in society, she needs to give society what it wants, in this case to become a lady, and so she does. The reader sees this change when she is attacked by Bob Ewell, and the infamous Boo Radley saves her life. After the incident, Boo asks Scout to walk him home, and instead of Scout walking Boo home, she lets him lead her to Boo's house as a true lady would do. .
Towards the end of the book, Scout begins to understand her surroundings and because of it matures immensely. She becomes somewhat ladylike and she also is less violent in her nature.
