To kill a mockingbird

I think there is growth throughout this novel but much of this growth is born out of pain. Scout and Jem learn about racism, betrayal of the community, and understanding of people. They see the wrongs that are perpetrated against Tom Robinson. They see the unspeakable things done to Mayella Ewell. The children learn, largely from Atticus, that fighting injustice is worth the pain, even if their efforts end in failure. Doing the right thing is frequently painful but, in the end, slowly moves society in the right direction. The whole town knew the truth about Bob Ewell and the innocent Tom Robinson: they must live with the pain of this truth their entire lives. Fortunately the truth, in time, will fight their bigotry and ignorance.