In the story, Scout had returned to her first day of school feeling pleasant but discouraged. She had seen Walter Cunningham on the yard and on his way to the same class as Scout. A new teacher Miss Caroline had been their teacher and does not understand her students yet. During lunch, Walter Cunningham was the only one without a lunch and Miss Caroline had offered him a quarter and suddenly Scout had yelled out about Walter, how he is a cunningham and has no money to pay back. Scout attempted to help her but her efforts to help are only rebuke by Miss. Caroline. Miss Caroline yells at Scout, Scout begins to get furious for trying to help and fights with Walter and again Miss Caroline shouts out at Scout. Scout returns home to her father and explains the situation at school to Atticus. Atticus asks Scout to understand the situation from Miss Caroline's point of view, Miss Caroline can't …show more content…
He asks Scout to look at things from Miss. Caroline's point of view to see how she may struggle with her new job. He says to Scout ‘“you never really understand a person until you consider things from their point of view”’, Scout says sir but Atticus replies ‘“until you climb into their skin and walk around in it”’ (Lee 39). I think these quotes relate to my thesis because it demonstrates empathy on how Atticus understands the situation and Miss Caroline’s point of
Throughout the novel, Atticus’ assistance to Jem and Scout’s development becomes evident. Atticus takes every opportunity to attempt to teach his children the importance of having an open-mind. For instance, when Scout queries Atticus about Maycomb’s prejudice perspective, he tells her, “You never really understand a person until…you climb in their skin and walk around in it.” (Lee 30) Even during the early stages of the novel, it is apparent that Atticus endeavors to instill the values of empathy and tolerance within Jem and Scout by teaching them how to have multiple perspectives on a situation. In addition, Atticus also attempts to enlighten his children about peaceful resolution in society. For example, when Atticus is chosen to defend Tom Robinson, Atticus tells Scout, you might hear some ugly talk about it at school but…you just hold your head high and keep those fists down.”...
Atticus is a major influence on Scout’s identity. He tells Scout, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view” (33). Atticus’s counsel teaches Scout to never judge someone until she is aware of their reasoning. This guidance helps Scout to interact with the people around her. One example of when she used Atticus’s advice is against the lynch mob. She convinces Mr. Cunningham to leave by talking to him about what he cared about. This interaction shows how an individual’s connection to family members affects his judgement and, therefore, his character. In addition, Atticus expands on this advice later in the novel, stating, “The one thing that...
However, Scout acknowledges her mistakes and uses them as learning experiences that helps her grow and mature. An example that shows this very well in the novel, “I remember the distant disastrous occasion when I rushed to young Walter Cunningham's defense. Now, I was glad I done it. “Soon’s school starts I’m gonna ask Walter Cunningham to dinner,” I planned have forgotten my private resolve to beat him up.” (Lee, Ch.23). This significant taught her a big lesson. That you shouldn’t judge others based on their differences. In the beginning of the book, Scout picks on Walter Cunningham, a classmate, for getting her in trouble with Miss. Caroline. She doesn’t stop to think about her words or Cunningham’s perspective of the situation. In short, she was being insensitive. Walter is from a poor family of farmers their eating habits aren’t like Scout’s. So naturally, Scout, being a child, picks on him for that. Now, later in the novel, Scout understands her mistake and tries invite him for dinner again as a way of apologizing. This quote shows that her innocence views is the bridge that lead her realize her
Couple of times in the novel, Scout goes through with the feeling of disappointment, which makes her dejected and sorrowful. For instance, the first disillusionments emotion she receives from her father, as Mr. Atticus is completely changed now, because Mr. Atticus is the person who always favors justice, believes in equality and always stand against racism however, he brings drastic change in his personality, now he favors racism and believes inequality. The author represents Scout dejected feeling as, “She walked down the steps and into the shade of a live oak. She put her arm out and leaned against the trunk. She looked at Maycomb, and her throat tightened: Maycomb was looking back at her. Go away, the old buildings said. There is no place for you here. You are not wanted. We have secrets” (111). Thus, Mr. Atticus changed personality greatly affect Scout’s mind and she is quite disappointed with Mr. Atticus negative attitude. Another time when she feels such unwanted emotion is with Henry, who is her childhood love and they both want to marry, but because of difference in mentality Scout changed her decision. Like Mr. Atticus, Henry used to be an honest person; somehow, he also brings huge change in his personality and become a racist like he also believes inequality, wants his land free from black and does not have any respectful feelings for blacks. The author sated about Scout and Henry’ relation as, “ The possessor of the right to kiss her on the courthouse steps was Henry Clinton, her lifelong friend, her brother 's comrade, and if he kept on kissing her like that, her husband. Love whom you will buy marry your own kind was a dictum amounting to instinct within her” (9).This shows that though Scout loves Henry but because of his negative personality, she
In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus is an ideal father, who sets a great example for his kids. A picture of Atticus is important to Scout because Atticus teaches Scout many important life lessons about life. Firstly, as Atticus talks to Scout about Miss. Stephanie, he states “if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you’ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view-until you climb into his skin and walk around in it” (Lee,30). Scout realizes that one can never feel someone’s pain, happiness, or glory until she looks at their point of view of things; she learns to consider other people’s situation and feelings. She also understands that she will never know what goes in other people’s lives, and therefore she cannot judge anyone. Scout matures as she learns to apply Atticus’ wise advice to understand Mrs. Dubose and Boo Radley, who are individuals that are misunderstood by the community. Furthermore, as Miss Maudie talks to Scout, she states “Atticus Finch is the same in his house as he is on the public streets” (Lee, 46). Miss Maudie knows about Atticus’ personality quite well. Miss Maudie explains to Scout Atticus is a man with moral principles, he does what he believes is right even if others are not there to praise him. Through Atticus’ exemplary role, Scout understands the importance of integrity, and strong moral values. Finally, when Scout questions her father about the possible outcome of the trial, Atticus states “simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us to try to win” (Lee, 76). Atticus teaches Scout toleration, determination and moral courage. He already knows he is going to los...
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings with others. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, there are many characters who showed the quality of empathy. A few examples who undoubtedly showed empathy were the main characters Jem, Atticus, and the narrator Scout Finch. These characters learned and demonstrated compassion throughout the book.
Scout first learns to show compassion and tolerance by refusing to go to school because she hates Miss Caroline. Atticus tells her that, 'First of all, if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll get along better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view – until you climb into his skin and walk around in it'; (30). When Atticus told her this, she began to accept Miss Caroline as well as other people's differences and opinions.
Scout reveals her misjudgement on Ms. Caroline in the beginning of the story. Ms. Caroline notices Walter Cunningham with no lunch and offers to buy him lunch but he refuses the offer because Cunninghams don't take anything they can't pay back. Scout informs Ms. Caroline about the situation and she gets upset with Scout and spanks her leaving Scout with a bad impression. Scout informs her dad about the situation and Atticus tells her,¨ “First of all,” he said, “if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you’ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view-”...
Before the statement, she liked to assume information and had little understanding of others. During her first day of school, Scout spoke to Miss Caroline and Scout stated,”Walter’s one of the Cunninghams” (26). She just assumed that Miss Caroline understood these things about Maycomb. However, after Atticus makes the statement about understanding from another’s point of view, Scout turns into a new woman. She even finds herself understanding Boo Radley when she recalled,”Atticus was right… just standing on the Radley porch was enough” (374). Scout has started to gain the quality of understanding people from their points of
However, their lack of money was a result to Mr. Cunningham not wanting to accept assistance from anyone out of fear of causing them an inconvenience (Lee 20). Walter Cunningham is referred to as having hookworms and not having shoes (Lee 19). He is discussed between Scout and Miss Caroline when she realizes that he did not have a lunch and offers to loan him money (Lee 19,20). Scout explains, “‘The Cunninghams never took anything they can’t pay back-no church baskets no scrip stamps. They never took anything off of anybody, they get along on what they have. They don’t have much, but they get along on it’” (Lee 20). By this encounter, Scout hoped to educate Miss Caroline on the status of Walter’s family and states “‘That’s okay, ma’am, you’ll get to know all the country folks after a while” (Lee 20). Walter Cunningham, is also discussed between Scout and her Aunt Alexandra, later in the novel, after the encounter with him and Miss Caroline (Lee 223,224).Scout had hoped to defend Walter and is pleased with herself for the action she took (Lee 223). She thinks she should invite him to spend the night with them sometime, but quickly realizes that Aunt Alexandra has other views of the Cunninghams (Lee 223). Aunt Alexandra states, “‘But they’re not our kind of folks….you can scrub Walter Cunningham till he shines, you can put him in shoes and a new suit, but he’ll never be like
The Cunninghams are mistreated by part of the society in Maycomb. Aunt Alexandra, who mistreats them the most, is prejudiced toward the Cunninghams, she does not like them. She thinks that her reputation, and social status are going to be stained if Scout plays with Walter Jr.. Scout wants to invite Walter over, but Aunt Alexandra does not like Walter, she says that they are folks from different class. She thinks it is best if they do not see each other. She once talks to Scout about how different they are, "Because - he - is - trash, that's why you can't play with him.
Empathy is one of the greatest powers that a human being can ever hope to achieve; one person being able to understand the inner-workings of another is something truly amazing. However, empathy isn’t something that one is always naturally able to accomplish; in fact, it usually takes a long time for one to develop any empathy at all. In Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, the reader follows Scout Finch as she experiences her youth in the small town of Maycomb, Alabama. In this story, we experience her empathy for others as it increases or decreases. Though there are many examples of these alterations in Scout’s relationships, there is one that is both prominent and more complex than a few others; her relationship with her aunt, Alexandra. There are three specific instances in which we can track the progression of Scout’s empathy towards her aunt; meeting Aunt Alexandra, Scout wanting to invite Walter Cunningham over, and the assault by Bob Ewell of Scout and Jem.
Atticus’s main trait is the ability to empathize and understand or view other’s perspective. The ending of the book highlights this extremely important emotion and the impact it had on Scout. After being attacked by Bob Ewell, Scout stands on Radley 's porch and she finally sees the world from Boo’s perspective, not only physically but figuratively. She reminisces and visually imagines what Boo Radley must’ve seen all those times she was outside. Scout uses Atticus’ advice and places herself in Boo’s shoes, imagining him watching her grow up. Harper Lee ends on this note which demonstrates the lasting influence and the importance of empathizing and understanding and helping one’s
highlighted by the reader, often understanding events better than Scout herself. The first example of Scout moving from innocence to experience is in Chapter 2, when Scout unwillingly begins school. Her fellow pupil, a student. Walter Cunningham, refuses to borrow money from Miss Caroline. buy lunch, however Miss Caroline will not accept this refusal.
He states, “Scout, you never really understand people until you consider things from their point of view- until you climb into his skin and walk around in it” (39). This means how sometimes unless you are someone you can’t fully understand them and how they feeling and behaving. Atticus explains to Scout that caring about others will help Scout understand them more. It will help Scout further understand why something may be happening. Also, Miss Maudie also explains how the Mockingbirds in the trees help further understand life lessons. Miss Maudie states, “Mockingbirds don’t do nothing but make music for us to enjoy… they don’t do one thing but sing our hearts out for us” (119). This means how in life, people shouldn’t naturally hate someone or something. People need to be able to care and have empathy for others. People in the book become the characteristic of mockingbirds. For example, Boo Radley. Boo doesn’t do anything to annoy or harm people, but the children decide to