To Kill A Mockingbird By: Brandon, Thomas Compassion, understanding and forgiveness "Any ordinary favour we do for someone or any compassionate reaching out may seem to be going nowhere at first, but may be planting a seed we can 't see right now. Sometimes we need to just do the best we can and then trust in an unfolding we can 't design or ordain." - Sharon Salzberg. To Kill A Mockingbird embodies those very words in every aspect and exemplifies them through its three main characters: Atticus, Scout, Jem. Yet, with racism and discrimination seemingly making its way back into the twenty first century with increased shootings of African American males and Donald trump making an effort to export all Muslims out of America etc..., the To Kill A Mockingbird demonstrates the value of compassion and understanding through one, Atticus and his taking of Tom Robinsons Atticus knew it would be a long shot to win and yet he entered it with a passion because knowing him, a man full of excellent morales, he knew that everyone involved with it would come away with something positive, even if that thing was simply a different outlook or perception on the black or life in general. Atticus 's great compassion for Tom and his community as well as his understanding for his side of the story would soon come with multiple consequences that himself and his kids would have to endure. For instance on (p.104) he explains to scout the trouble she may up endure but to keep a positive outlook, "When summer comes you 'll have to keep your head above far worse things...it 's not fair for you and gem, I know that, but sometimes we have to make the best of things, and the way we conduct ourselves when the chips are down-well, all I can say is, when you and Jem are grown, maybe you 'll look back on this with some compassion and some feeling that I didn 't let you down...." He instils that once Scout and Jem are mature enough to understand these things, that they will know he never let them down. This excerpt/example further exemplifies his understanding of Jem and Scouts sake and what they will go through as little kids but
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.”...
Compassionate, dramatic, and deeply moving, Harper Lee's, To Kill a Mockingbird takes readers to the roots of human behavior, to innocence and experience, kindness and cruelty, love and hatred, and the struggle between blacks and whites. Atticus Finch, a lawyer and single parent in a small southern town in the 1930's, is appointed by the local judge to defend Tom Robinson, a black man, who is accused of raping a white woman. Friends and neighbors object when Atticus puts up a strong and spirited defense on behalf of the accused black man. Atticus renounces violence but stands up for what he believes in. He decides to defend Tom Robinson because if he did not, he would not only lose the respect of his children and the townspeople, but himself
In the time that this novel takes places, the black community was seen as lower than the white community. Although Atticus was white, he believed in equality and was the lawyer for a black man accused of rape and abuse named Tom Robinson. Atticus taught Scout and Jem about how it was wrong the kill a mockingbird because they’ve caused no harm. Tom Robinson is a mockingbird to Atticus, so he stands up for what he believes in. It was apparent to Atticus that they would rule Tom guilty. Although the verdict turned out to be guilty, Atticus knew that Judge Taylor and others in the courthouse knew that the Ewell family were lying, and had hope that Tom would be able to get released from jail despite the color of his skin. Another example of when Atticus showed optimism was after the trial when Bob Ewell spat on Atticus. Others were shocked by this occurrence, but Atticus told them that he accepted it. Atticus could’ve easily gotten revenge on Bob, but instead he said, “He had to take it out on somebody and I’d rather it be me than that houseful of children out there.” (Lee, 1960, p. 293). Atticus knew the types of things that Bob Ewell did to his children at home, so he let him spit on him in hopes that he wouldn’t harm his children. Atticus’s optimism shows what a caring father and all around person he
Have American’s lost the ability to show empathy? Although a novice reader may struggle to see how a book written over 50 years ago bears any connection to our modern world, Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird could not be any more relevant. The citizens of fictional Maycomb County acknowledge their flawed legal system and unfair social castes as unfortunate truths of life, of which all you can do is accept it as fact. The sole exception is lawyer Atticus Finch, who is in charge of defending the accused in court. After seeing all too many men receive a sentence simply because of the color of their skin, Atticus embarks on a quest to teach Jem and Scout, his children, that prejudice can be fought. By understanding and exposing ourselves to different people, we can free ourselves from prejudice.
As reference to the novel, “ He slowly squeezed the breath out of me. I could not move”. Jem and Scout could have died that night . However, the positive outweigh the negative. When Atticus defended Tom Robinson it showed that he was a good man and he tried to do the right thing. “ I do my best to love everybody… I’m hard put, sometimes baby, its never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name”. Atticus tried to treat everyone with respect and equality. When Atticus defended Tom Robinson he had hope that people would start judging based on evidence and not race. “ That was the one thing that made me think, well, this may be the shadow of the beginning. That jury took a few hours. An inevitable verdict, maybe, but usually it takes’em just a few minutes”. Since Atticus had to defend Tom Robinson some people started to believe negro man over a white woman, which means they weren’t basing their decision on race. It was worth defending Tom Robinson because Atticus was starting to get others to show
Martin Luther King said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” Racism is still an issue that can be seen in the twenty-first century. Although, tons of progress has been made over the last century, some still hold on to racist beliefs. The majority of classic American literature demonstrates the racism that was present in the early twentieth century. By looking at the theme of race in the American classic, To Kill a Mockingbird, it is clear that people are quick to judge others based on their own opinions and feelings.
One important character is Boo Radley, believed to be violent and psychopathic, and rumored that he murders, has stabbed his parents, and conducts similar malicious crimes. Scout’s gradual expansion of empathy through her experiences and interactions within Maycomb reveals its importance in understanding people, ultimately suggesting that this ability, or lack thereof, can increase or decrease the qualities of interpersonal relationships and others’ amiability. Ergo, the narrator’s time in Maycomb softens her heart and slowly alters her into a still not-of-age, but a more empathetic and considerate person, which enables her to construct more accurate understandings of others and hold secure interconnections. To add, as described throughout To Kill A Mockingbird, the lack of empathy can cause people to mentally damage others and form unpleasant relationships. For example, Walter Cunningham and Miss Caroline are somewhat afflicted by Scout when she ignores and has no concern about their emotions, and this forms an unfavorable impression about her.
To Kill A Mockingbird clearly portrays three very important themes. Prejudice is very prevalent in this novel including social and racial prejudice. Another theme shown is heroism, including an unlikely character. Education is a core theme in the book as Atticus clearly implies to his children. In To Kill A Mockingbird Harper Lee powerfully portrays themes like prejudice, heroism and education in some ways the reader doesn’t expect.
Atticus shows great compassion and tolerance when he stands up for the Negroes. He stands up and represents Tom Robinson because he believes that everyone should be treated equally in the court of law. He knows that because Tom was a Negro there would be a slim chance of winning. That fact never discouraged him though because he says that the main reason he is representing Tom is because, ' if I didn't I couldn't hold up my head in town, I couldn't represent this county in the legislature'; (75). He recited a speech, which clearly states that Tom Robinson is not guilty. In that speech he says, 'our courts have their faults, as does any human institution, but in this courts are the great levelers, and in our courts all men are created equal'; (205). He believed that prejudice and stereotyping is wrong and he tries to teach these morals to Scout and Jem.
Atticus is a great leader of his family, teaching his children morals and life lessons. He makes them better people by showing them how to deal with the trial and people making fun of them. Atticus teaches Scout how to respect other people. First, Scout learns to respect Atticus, then to respect "Boo" Radley, and finally to respect a whole race of people, negroes. He makes it a common practice to live his life as he would like his children to live theirs, and thus displays the attributes of an honest, respectable, and kind man. Throughout the trial process, Atticus shows Jem and Scout that true courage is standing up for what you believe in and that all human beings, despite their race, deserve respect. "You never really understand a person until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." This quote shows that Atticus wants his children to get along with people, and so other people will respect them for whom they are.
He believed that Scout holding her head high was enough for her to through the time without her fighting. Another way Atticus showed himself being idealistic was that he believed he could still fight for the negro he was representing, and win. Atticus knew that the case was doomed and that no one would take the word of a negro over that of a white man, but he stilled tried. Atticus knew the impact that the case would have on his children, but he knew that he had to try and fight for this man. “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us to not to try to win.”(p.g.101, Lee) This shows Atticus being idealistic because he knew that the outcome would probably be bad but he continued to try and change that. He knew that the case would be a very difficult one to win, but that no matter what he had to try. A final way that Atticus is idealistic was that he believed that even in times of immense stress, they should still be level-headed. When Jem broke after hearing Ms.Dubose say horrible things about his family and father, Atticus tried to teach both him and Scout a
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 treats everyone with fairness. He always hears both sides of the story. He does this after Scout has gotten into a fight with Francis Hancock. After a time Atticus hears Scout’s side of the story and realises that it wasn’t totally Scout’s fault. Scout also tells Uncle Jack that when she and Jem get into fights Atticus stops to hear both sides of the argument before placing the blame, if any.
Atticus teaches his children many valuable lessons. The most prominent of these is of understanding things from different perspectives. Atticus believes “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”. This self belief is a message to his children of what Atticus preaches most, understanding. The children get many chances to apply this message in their everyday life. Scout does not understand this fully until the end of the book, after Boo Radley saves her and Jem’s life, after a freak encounter with Bob Ewell. Jem and scout had always misjudged...
One of the biggest issues we face every day is prejudice.In today’s society, many people, just like mockingbirds, are treated unfairly. In Harper Lee’s unforgettable novel “To kill a mockingbird” the moral lesson presented is important in today’s society due to racism that continues to exist in the midst of police shootings and terrorist attacks around the world, the lessons voiced in this book can open minds to what needs to be changed in the world.