 She matures from age 6 to age 9 as the novel progresses but remains naive and idealistic, despite an increased understanding of human nature and racism in her town.At the beginning of the book, Scout is confused by some of the words and names she hears people directing towards her father, such as "nigger-lover".Being only six, Scout does not know how to handle such situations, so she tries to resolve her problems by fighting, or by talking to Atticus about what she has heard.