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In both texts, loss of innocence is demonstrated through youthful characters who become more aware of the societies beliefs when they are faced with adult-like experiences. In TKAM, Lee uses the youthful character, Scout Finch when she discovers the truth about Arthur Radley. At the start of the novel, Scout was naïve and had a childlike nature. Arthur was presented as a supernatural and mysterious character who was majorly misunderstood by Scout. However, after losing innocence, she becomes more cynical about him stating, Well, itd be sort of like shooting a mockingbird, wouldnt it? (pg 304). Knowing that Arthur represents a mockingbird and was a benevolent person, she lost her innocence as her behavior towards Arthur was majorly reflected in society. Due to this, she was beginning to learn about the unbending prejudice of people in Maycomb which was reflected in her own actions and behaviors toward people who didnt meet expectations. Similarly, in JJ, Silvey highlights the loss of innocence through the character of Charlie Bucktin. Corrigan societys strong perspective of people who dont meet the norm has influenced Charlie’s opinion of right and wrong. Charlie was commencing to discover prejudice that existed within the community. In that one night and then the days that follow Charlie is forced to step away from childhood innocence and see the world around him for what it is. He loses his innocence when Jasper is falsely blamed for the murder of Laura due to the fact that he was different. He always thought that Corrigan consisted of the best people until he was experiencing adult-like circumstances. Both authors have demonstrated loss of innocence through young and coming-of-age characters whose beliefs and visions were reflected by society.
Through ex

traordinary circumstances, adolescent characters represent the theme of coming-of-age in both TKAM and JJ. Coming-of-age is a young person’s transition from being a child to being an adult. In TKAM, Scout is an open-minded girl whose opinions are based on society’s beliefs. Scout represents coming of age because she is showing maturity and growth in her character stating, ‘I drew a bead on him, remembered what Atticus had said, then dropped my fists and walked away… It was the first time I ever walked away from a fight (pg 85). Although Scout falls into her old ways soon after this incident, she realizes her failure in obeying Atticus. She demonstrates a certain maturity in trying to keep her father from more stress about the Tom Robinson case. As a result of this incident, she questions and notices the strengths and weaknesses of individuals which is a major contribution to her coming of age. Concurrently, in JJ, a Bildungsroman film, grappling with the worlds evident immorality is the factor of Charlies coming of age. There is gradual progress in moral understanding that Charlie endures as he observes the world of adulthood. Charlie faces harsh realities when he uncovers the truth about his mother he had previously thought highly of. Another aspect of Charlie’s coming of age is finding his drunk mother around another man, who leaves him when confronted which forced him to realize his reality was not as it seemed. His mother leaving made him more independent and caused him to form a better relationship with his dad. Through Charlies journey in the text, he begins to realize that ordinary people are capable of doing horrible things. Both authors have represented coming of age in youthful characters who are majorly influenced by society’s beliefs and values.