open promt 4

2008, Form B. In some works of literature, childhood and adolescence are portrayed as times graced by innocence and a sense of wonder; in other works, they are depicted as times of tribulation and terror. Focusing on a single novel or play, explain how its representation of childhood or adolescence shapes the meaning of the work as a whole.

For most people growing up, their childhoods are peaceful. But there are significant moments that harden you for  the real world. Harper Lee builds on this with Scout and Jem from To Kill A Mockingbird. The naivety they demonstrate represents the innocence and wonder of their childhood. But seeing the injustice of Tom's trial opens not only their eyes, but the eyes of the audience. 

Scout and Jem's naivety of racism represents the innocence of their childhood. They never had to deal with complicated race relations until Tom's trial. Scout in particular doesn't understand social standing. She doesn't understand why the Ewell kid is so unruly. She doesn't understand why Walter pours molasses over his food and tries to correct him only to be scolded by Calpurnia. The most demonstrative case is that being a young child, Scout does not understand why there is a mob outside Tom's cell when the trial has not begun yet and a verdit has not been made. 

Boo Radley is the source of Scout and Jem's fascination during the summer. Their lack of knowledge of him fuels their imagination of him. The kids make dares of running into Boo's yard, testing how dangerous he is. Scout and Jem reenact what might have happen to Boo Radley through the Boo Radley game. They imagine what might have caused him to be so reclusive. Lee depicts Scout and Jem looking for information to fill in the gaps of their world. But when the information cannot be found, childhood imagination takes over.

Perhaps this is part of why we draw angels as children, why cherub faced is a description of childlike. Because the purity of childhood is a staunch contrast to the world we see today.