What are two important actions of Scout Finch in "To Kill a Mockingbird"?

One of the main themes in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird deals with the moral development of children. At the beginning of the novel, Scout is a six-year-old with a quick temper. Fighting is Scout's natural response to adversity. She beats up Walter Cunningham Jr., Dill, and Francis for various reasons. Atticus continually encourages her to take a calm approach and walk away when provoked. One important action that Scout takes is when she...

One of the main themes in the novel To Kill a Mockingbird deals with the moral development of children. At the beginning of the novel, Scout is a six-year-old with a quick temper. Fighting is Scout's natural response to adversity. She beats up Walter Cunningham Jr., Dill, and Francis for various reasons. Atticus continually encourages her to take a calm approach and walk away when provoked. One important action that Scout takes is when she chooses not to fight Cecil Jacobs after he makes hateful remarks about Atticus. Scout says,

"I drew a bead on him, remembered what Atticus had said, then dropped my fists and walked away, "Scout's a cow---ward!" ringing in my ears. It was the first time I ever walked away from a fight. Somehow, if I fought Cecil I would let Atticus down. Atticus so rarely asked Jem and me to do something for him, I could take being called a coward for him. I felt extremely noble for having remembered, and remained noble for three weeks." (Lee 102)

Scout's mature response to this adverse situation portrays her moral development.

Another important action that Scout takes throughout the novel happens in Chapter 15. When Atticus is surrounded by the Old Sarum bunch outside of Tom Robinson's jail cell, Scout runs from her hiding place into the middle of the circle. Scout is unaware of the precarious situation she has entered and begins to look for a familiar face in the crowd. After spotting Mr. Cunningham, Scout attempts to have a conversation with him. Eventually, Mr. Cunningham gives her his attention and tells his men to go home. Scout saved the day! Atticus tells Scout that she made Walter Cunningham rethink what he was about to do. By intervening, Scout saved Atticus and Tom Robinson from possible harm.