How Does Scout Learn Lessons Informally

In part one of the novel, the children are naive, remaining largely unaffected and unaware of anything outside of their days spent playing games. They are oblivious as to how a silly children’s sports such as the role play of Boo Radley, Has masked the truth of their society’s prejudice and ill conceived judgement towards another human being. However what starts off as an innocent game progressively morphs into the first bout of life lessons that the children will soon understand.
As the book is narrated from the voice of a much younger citizen, the reader is able to follow the story through the unclouded vision of a child’s perception. This assists in emphasising the gradual realization of truth in several themes explored during the novel.   As the book continues, the audience is able to recognise that each event Scout experiences, better ready’s her for the situation she will soon need to understand; the case of Tom   Robinson.   The demise of Mrs Dubose, the mad dog incident, Atticus’ request, and the general interactions of Miss Maudie and Atticus all play parts in this preparation.
In part one, one of the first lessons Scout discovers is the real definition of courage.   By Atticus’ doing, Jem and Scout walk in the shoes of Mrs Dubose, as they bear witness to her fight her morphine addiction. This plays an important role further in the novel when Scout questions her father’s choice to defend a case he is predestined to lose.   Atticus feels this is important for Scout to understand and attempts to do this through Mrs Dubose – “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.”   –Atticus, page 124
The mad dog incident that both Scout and Jem witnesses plays another vital role is teaching them the dynamics of prejudice and provides another outlook on their father Atticus. For a time,...