First Draft For Essay 7

Mature:

Growing Up

An Essay by Inpyo Hong

8^th Grade English

Pine Point School

November 4, 2010

           To quote Albert Einstein, “true genius is the ability to return to childhood at will.” The quotation signifies that it is beneficial to hold on the abilities such as making friends, learning skills, and trusting people that we had in our childhoods. Jem’s growing up and my opinion about growing up are examples that show why growing up is very significant in our lives.

           Humans grow up after some events and lessons. In To Kill A Mockingbird (TKAM), Jem grew up after Mrs. Dubose’s death, when he became twelve years old. Jem started to think and view deeply. When Jem and Scout saw “the cartoon in The Montgomery Advertiser above the caption, Maycomb’s Finch,” they were dumbfounded because it showed Atticus barefooted and in short pants, chained to a desk. It showed that Atticus was assiduously writing on a slate. Jem explained the cartoon to Scout that it was a compliment, and it was about reorganizing the tax systems. Scout could not think about that because she was not mature enough and did not have an ability to think deeply like Jem. Even though Jem explained about the cartoon to Scout, he refused to answer her question: “how do you know?” It was very impertinent to refuse and say, “oh, go on and leave me alone,” because he had never done it before. He always answered to Scout’s questions. Jem became idle and also petulant after he grew up. Consequently, we may discover some benefits and detriments from Jem’s growing up.

           As Jem had grown up, we have also grown up. To quote Mr. Salsich, “I am still growing up.” These words imply that we all grow up and it does not matter how old we are. It is not justified that one has to be very dignified and genteel because the one is old. It is unjust that mature people have to be old-fashioned. As Einstein said, we can act like younger people. This means that we can sometimes bring up our childhood abilities to use them for our own lives. Moreover, if we want to bring up the abilities, we have to hold on the abilities when we are growing up. I believe this, holding on our childhood abilities when we are growing up, is the most significant thing when we are growing up. Nevertheless, Jem could not hold his childhood abilities, being gentle and kind, in TKAM. Thus, being mature (growing up) may affect one’s character and attitude, so we have to keep holding on our beneficial abilities when we are growing up.

Overall, Jem grew up with some advantages and disadvantages. He was able to think and look deeply, but he could not keep his childhood abilities, which are being benign and benevolent. In my opinion, we have to hold on the childhood “beneficial” abilities when we are growing up. Therefore, growing up is the most important part of our lives, and we are endlessly growing up!