“Sometimes the most important life lessons are the ones we end up learning the hard way.” This famous quote is featured in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, as Scout and Jem face challenging life lessons while rejecting social beliefs and advocating for equality. Scout and Jem are exposed to moral courage, prejudice, justice, and injustice in early 1930s society through understanding Mrs. Dubose and Boo Radley and witnessing the trial scene. Scout and Jem's maturing perspective amplifies the importance of the lessons learned as they gain a more complex understanding of the world. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayScout and Jem explore moral courage through interaction with Mrs. Dubose. The Finch children are initially afraid of Mrs. Dubose due to the community's preconceived belief that her character is evil and bad-tempered. However, Jem and Scout's attitude develops through interaction with her character, learning that Mrs. Dubose is a courageous fighter, overcoming her addiction to morphine while Atticus reinforces the lesson by stating, "I wanted you to see what it is true courage, instead of having the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand.” Juxtaposition is used within this quote, contrasting the childish point of view with the true nature of moral courage Mrs. Dubose's courage to Jem and Scout, the children learn a new meaning of courage as they mature understanding the lesson about the importance of moral courage. Additionally, Scout develops an understanding of unjustified prejudice through Boo Radley is initially portrayed as a recluse, described by some as a violent man or a malevolent ghost. As Scout and Jem mature, they discover an innocent and compassionate "mockingbird", through his gifts, acts of kindness, and, ultimately, saving their lives. Scout learns the importance of destroying prejudices as she states, "Atticus was right. He once said you never really know a man until you put yourself in his shoes and walk around wearing them. All it took was standing on the porch at the Radley." This metaphorical statement of considering another belief encapsulates the Scouts' empathy towards Boo Radley, a good individual weakened by prejudice. The Scouts' character grows by developing an understanding of the life lesson of rejecting prejudice explores the difficult lesson of justice and injustice through observation of the trial. Before his conviction, Jem had instilled great hope in his community in ensuring equality, due to his naivety. However, when the jury convicts Tom Robinson despite his innocence, Jem suddenly realizes there is an injustice within the trial as Scout states, "I peeked at Jem: his hands were white from gripping the balcony railing, and his shoulders were shaking as if were guilty" ' was a separate stab between them. The repetition of the phrase "guilty" reinforces the inequality within the justice system, while Jem feels as if he has been stabbed, it is a symbol of his maturing perspectives as he learns the devastating lesson of injustice. Jem was not aware of the darker side of human nature as the trial scene is the catalyst for understanding the lesson of justice and injustice. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get.