A few moments that instantly spring to my mind include the scene in the courthouse when the children see first hand that adults lie, that adults define the world in black and white (racism), and that even in a court of law things are not always fair. Scout and Jem see Calpurnia as a nanny, a mother figure. They see nothing wrong with going to church with her. They do not see race. Scout sees it, as well, at school when she the teacher tells her that her father is not teaching her to read the right way. Scout is a mature soul in a child's body in many respects. Perhaps the most poignant moment occurs, however, at the end when, in childlike simplicity and grace, Scout takes Boo's hand and leads him home. The adult world has made Boo a monster because if his differences. Scout, in her child's vision, sees past all of this to see the child inside of Boo who is afraid of the dark, afraid of the world, has many of the same fears that she has.
The novel is a reflection. It is an adult looking back at her childhood, reminiscing, so the contrasts between child and adult thinking are very clear. The hope is that the reader walks away appreciating some of the great wisdom of youth that has not yet become jaded by the adult world.
The book is set up in terms of contrasting themes, motifs, symbols, settings, and character foils, favoring childhood innocence and experience than adult status quo. Here are some matchups
THEME
CHILDHOOD INNOCENCE VS. ADULT EXPERIENCE
RACIAL/CLASS EQUALITY VS. RACIAL/CLASS PREJUDICE
EDUCATION VS. IGNORANCE/SUPERSTITION
PROGRESS VS. TRADITION
COURAGE VS. COWARDICE
EARLY 0FEMINISM (TOMBOY) VS. SOUTHERN BELLE ("LADY-LIKE") ATTITUDES
CHARACTER
MAN VS. SOCIETY
BOO VS. FEARFUL SOCIETY
ROBINSONS VS. WHITE SOCIETY
ATTICUS VS. WHITE JURY
MAN VS. MAN
YOUNG (JEM, SCOUT, DILL) VS. OLD (ATTICUS, BOB)
ATTICUS VS. BOB EWELL
MOCKINGBIRDS (BOO/TOM) VS. BLUEJAYS (BOB/MOB)
SCOUT VS. TEACHERS, AUNT ALEXANDRA
SETTING
SUMMER (DILL) VS. FALL (HALLOWEEN)
TOWN (FINCHES) VS. COUNTRY (EWELLS)
FINCH HOUSE VS. RADLEY PLACE
COURTHOUSE / JAIL VS. OLD SARUM/LYNCH MOB
COLORED BALCONY VS. WHITE JURY
FIRST PURCHASE CHURCH VS. MISSONARY SOCIETY
SYMBOLS / MOTIFS / IMAGES
WHITE / LIGHT / FIRE VS. BLACK / DARK / GOTHIC
MOCKINGBIRDS (BOO/TOM) VS. BLUEJAYS (BOB/MOB/JURY)
RABID DOG (TIM JOHNSON) VS. GREY GHOST (BOO)
CHILDHOOD GAMES (BOO GAME) VS. CARNIVAL (TRIAL)
SYMPATHY VS. INSTITUTIONAL RACISM
("WHITE PRIVILEDGE")