Change of Scout’s Perspective from Mockingbird to Go Set a Watchman

Introduction

"To Kill a Mockingbird" and "Go Set a Watchman" are novels written by the same author, Harper Lee, which both illustrate the development of Scout's characteristics from her perspective. The narrative explores how she transforms from a young, naive girl into an independent, thoughtful young woman who yearns for freedom. In "Go Set a Watchman," Harper Lee focuses on the confusion of the adult Scout and the emotional turmoil she experiences after returning to Maycomb County. Jean Louise's perspective on Atticus in "Go Set a Watchman" undergoes a significant change compared to "To Kill a Mockingbird." With her increased age and experiences in New York, which allow Jean Louise to embrace more freedom of thought, she exhibits much more maturity than in "Mockingbird." This maturation leads to Jean Louise's independence both mentally and physically. Due to these shifts in Scout's life, her view of Atticus changes dramatically in many ways, which differ greatly from her childhood perspective and also help Scout develop an individual mindset and maintain independence in critical thinking.

Change in Scout’s Perspective

To begin with, Atticus’s figure in Scout’s perspective changed dramatically due to differing views on the issue of racism. Her father, whom she knew in her childhood, was a kind and decent man who dared to devote himself to justice and served as an example and source of pride for her. Now, in his old age, he sits at the same table with white racists to discuss the affairs of the county and town, which makes her feel betrayed because the person she once completely trusted has failed her. The only person who gave her the confidence to say, “He is a gentleman, he is a gentleman to the bone,” betrayed her openly, disgustingly, and shamelessly. The holy figure of her father in her heart is dying. Harper Lee created a great contradiction between father and daughter in "Watchman" to enlighten Scout's mind. Lee reveals the key to the father-daughter conflict: the phantom that the soul projected. It is easy to understand the daughter's fatherly love, which led her to always imagine Atticus as a perfect dad. She projected all her values and ideas onto her father and wishfully assumed that her conscience was her father's conscience. This is akin to moral kidnapping and using the judgment of a mortal at the request of God. It was not Atticus who changed. Though he is old and weak and can no longer stand at the gate of the prison as he once did against a crowd of farmers or shoot mad dogs as before, he remains the gentleman with good manners. As an audience, we see that it is merely Scout's perspective of her father that has changed (Lee, 1960; Lee, 2015).

Scout’s Changing Adoration for Atticus

Furthermore, Scout's near-pathological adoration and belief in her father underwent tremendous changes due to her altered perspective. She begins to see her father in a more realistic light. Atticus used his unique way of educating Scout, and in her heart, he was an upright, friendly, open-minded, knowledgeable elder and a fighter against racial discrimination, even in the town of Maycomb. He was respected and trusted by all. As she grew up, his influence was deeply ingrained, and he instilled his conscience and thoughts into his daughter, who worshipped him as a god. With the passage of time, Scout returned to Maycomb County. To her surprise, the manner in which she had always regarded him as God was contrary to what she thought was fair and just. She was unable to accept her father's imperfections and could not agree with his political views. She even rudely reviled her father and allowed her tiny paranoia to ruin the relationship between them. Harper Lee created Scout's verbal abuse and quarrel with her father to help Scout understand that her father was just an ordinary man who would not always be right. She learned that her father should be greeted as a human, not an angel. Atticus, though not a god, still possesses shortcomings like others do (Lee, 1960; Lee, 2015).

Louise’s Independence and Perspective Shift

Last but not least, Louise’s perspective on Atticus’s sayings underwent a significant change, indicating that Jean Louise has become completely independent. Compared with "Mockingbird," Scout in "Watchman" is less concerned with her father’s point of view. In childhood, she almost followed all the instructions Atticus gave her. However, she started to defend herself or even criticize Atticus when they discussed racism. Scout even used Hitler to describe Atticus as a member of Citizens’ Councils. Additionally, Scout began to pay no attention to her father's point of view, even if he was right. For example, when Scout and her father quarreled about Jefferson's history, Atticus expounded on Jefferson's idea of equality, while Scout accused Atticus of tampering with history. The reason Lee presents Scout’s points is to show that Scout can think independently and no longer blindly follow her father. At the end of "Watchman," as a result of all the conflicts being resolved, she carefully jumps into the car, ensuring she does not hurt her head, which also shows that Louise finally accepts her personality and freedom of choice (Lee, 1960; Lee, 2015).

Conclusion

In sum, Jean Louise has fully developed her ability to think independently and has changed her perspective on Atticus during her stay in Maycomb and through her significant conflict with Atticus. With the shift in her changing perspectives on Atticus, Scout has developed a more complete, autonomous personality, and her relationship with her father becomes closer with her evolving judgment of him. Although Atticus is no longer the supreme figure in Scout’s heart, he remains the kind, generous, and understanding father she always knew (Lee, 1960; Lee, 2015).

References

Lee, H. (1960). To Kill a Mockingbird. J.B. Lippincott & Co.
Lee, H. (2015). Go Set a Watchman. HarperCollins.