Scout Finch

I believe family dynamics and culture shapes our growth and development as children, transitions to adulthood and who we choose to become or our identity as adults. It shapes our perceptions, decisions and actions. I grew up in a small single-parent family made of me, my father, my elder brother Jeremy also known as Jem, and our black cook, Calpurnia. We lived in a small city known as Maycomb, Alabama particularly the seat of Maycomb County. Calpurnia is practically part of the family because she has lived with us for as long as I can remember. She has been there for us, supported and helped my father with household responsibilities and raising us right following the death of my mother. My friends, family and community members perceive my qualities, identity and social space quite unusual because I don’t engage in activities or affairs my age mates are partly because I grew up with my father. Therefore, he influenced most aspects of my life, including, my dressing, activities I like, dreams and aspirations. My father nurtured my mind, conscience, and individuality with neutrality and a lot of love, to ensure I’m not swept away by the notions of propriety and social hypocrisy. Thanks to spending most times with my brother and father, I became unusually confident, smart and kind to the people around me. I always have the interest of the people at heart and would do anything to put a smile on somebody’s face. In the Southern world of Maycomb, I’m known for being a tomboy because of my dressing code. Instead of wearing dresses like the rest of the girls in Maycomb, I preferred rocking overalls because it allowed me to climb trees with my brother and our friend Drill. Drill visits his aunt who lives in our neighborhood every summer. Therefore, every summer we get to spend time together, climb trees and play wild games. My father taught me how to stand up for myself and against any evil done on any other person. One time, my father was attacked and criticized for taking up a case and defending Tom Robinson, a black man who has been accused of raping a young white woman named Mayella Ewell. Society members even nicknamed him “nigger-lover.” These events led to a very memorable day I’m proud of because I saved my father. He faced and countered a group of people who wanted to lynch his client, Tom. Luck enough, I was able to save the day by standing up and breaking the mob mentality geared by the group of attackers. I immediately recognized my classmate’s father in the group, approached him and talked him out of the idea. This action, eventuality cause the mob to disperse, saving both my dad and his client. Despite not listening to my father’s orders to stand down, I was proud that I had done something nice to my father and made a positive impact by stopping the lynch. However, I apologized to my father for not following his instructions.