'Select a novel studied by you where at least one of the principal characters is a young person. Discuss what you consider to be the most important influence in the novel in helping that young person to develop.' Jean-Louise Finch (Scout) is the main character in Harper Lee's 'To kill a mockingbird'. She is a young girl who matures in the course of the novel. The most important influence in her development is clearly …showed first 75 words of 371 total…

…showed last 75 words of 371 total…which have been told by their parents that Atticus will defend the offending black man. Simply bearing this, as Atticus tells them to, instead of retaliating it physically, which would have been a much more childlike behaviour, is also a learning experience for them both. Towards the end of the novel, Atticus's belief in the good in mankind is shattered, namely when the allegedly raped girl's father, Bob Ewell, tries to murder Jem and Scout.