Revised Open Prompt 4

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.

When people are asked which era is the best, they will often say the era they grew up in. They would tell you how safe the era was. But looking from at history, that era could be extremely violent. But part of growing up is that your parents hide the bad things. They do it because they don't want you to get any misunderstandings. When you are a child you might not understand the issues. Harper Lee builds off this concept with Scout and Jem's childhood experience with racism and Boo Radley in To Kill A Mockingbird. Lee uses this concept to show how the majority of population, like Scout and Jem seem to not understand the problems of the day.

Scout and Jem spent their childhood in the south and as a result dealt with racial tensions. Unfortunately they did not fully understand it. They didn't understand why a sheriff has to stand out making sure Tom is protected. They didn't understand why their is a mob forming outside the jail, reading to lynch Tom. In fact Jem, not understanding the situation, asks Mr.Cunningham how his son is. This moment is significant because it illustrates why Lee's portrayal of their childhood innocence is integral to the plot. Jem's display of naivety makes Mr.Cunningham realize how ignorant he was. It shows just like Jem, he truly does not understand the problem either.

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.