To Kill A Mockingbird Empathy Analysis

1116 Words3 Pages

Yuuki Hosokawa
Ms. Stradinger
A1 English 9 Honors
21 October 2015
Empathy in To Kill a Mockingbird
Being able to empathize is an important trait to acquire and use. The ability to empathize goes beyond sympathy, it is to put “yourself in someone 's shoes”, or to understand and share the feelings of another through the use of imagination. One reason it might be important is that empathy can help to deal with the negativity of others, while somebody may bring you down by saying rude comments you can empathize that perhaps they are going through hardships and it 's hard to keep inside anger for a long time, so they unleash it on you. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus is a role model to his children, he’s a kind, loving and a smart …show more content…

An example of using empathy to combat prejudice was when Atticus made the decision to defend Tom Robinson and represent him in the court of law. Although he knew that there would be repercussions from some for defending a black man. He took the case as he empathized with Tom Robinson and the difficulties he faced as an African American in the South. Tom is an example of empathy in the book. This a quote on page 117 showing Atticus’s opinion on the jury deciding Tom’s case: "There 's nothing more sickening to me than a low-grade white man who 'll take advantage of a Negro 's ignorance... whenever a white man does that to a black man... the white man is trash." (Harper 117). The quote shows the empathy that Atticus displayed and felt sorry for Tom as he knew he would be convicted, as his race determined the outcome of his trial before it ever started. One reason Atticus decided to take the case was that he thought it was unjust for Tom to be punished for a crime, even though he was innocent. More importantly, he felt he had an obligation to perform his best and present a winning case. In taking the case and proving Tom was innocent, yet still convicted he tried to change the town’s attitude towards African …show more content…

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

Atticus Finch Courage in To Kill a Mockingbird
1356 Words | 3 Pages
"She had her own views about things, a lot different from mine, maybe.son, I told you that if you hadn't lost your head I'd have made you go read to her. I wanted you to see something about her-I wanted you to see what real courage is instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand" (128). Scout's change of maturity level is defined by a progression towards understanding Atticus' life lessons, which halt at the ending chapters of the book when Scout recognizes Boo Radley as a human being. After the night when Bob Ewell's life ends, Boo Radley exposes himself as a kindhearted man who Scout can relate with.
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Empathy Quotes In To Kill A Mockingbird
1077 Words | 3 Pages
In most any case you need to know how to be empathetic. Harper Lee teaches that throughout the book, mostly from the character Atticus Finch, the basic empathy for right and wrong. When Atticus is making his conclusion for the trial of Tom Robinson he says, “this case is as simple as black and white” (Lee 271). While this quote could have many interpretations, to me it seems that Atticus, a man who lives in the small town of Maycomb County, who was considered highly respectful, and kind and was thought of highly in the town, therefore his words were authentic, and truthful. He was put on this case and did he argue, or disagree, of course not. He knew it was going to be an unfair trial, and that he would get large amounts of bad responses from people for taking the black man’s “side”. He simply didn’t care the color of his skin, or what he was convicted of. He found the evidence he needed which most definitely concluded his defendant was not guilty. However when it came down to it in the south during the 30’s there was not a possibility of the black man being right, and the white woman being wrong. It wasn’t even questionable. Nevertheless, Atticus had empathy for the man, so he put time, work, and effort into finding evidence and proving Tom Robinson wasn’t guilty. Most importantly he tried to consider Tom’s feelings, and what he was going through, throughout the whole entire process. He had empathy for Tom
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Prejudice And Empathy In Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird
1060 Words | 3 Pages
Through the development of Scout’s relationship with Arthur Radley, Scout develops and becomes more empathetic. Atticus Finch, Scout’s father, is her most consistent role model and used by Lee as the moral compass. Atticus is a firm believer in teaching by example, and his respect of his children is such that he treats them almost as adults, emphasised in the line ‘he played with us, read with us, and treated us with courteous detachment’ pg. 6. This refusal to shelter Scout from the harsh realities of life in Maycomb allows her to learn from experience. The strong moral guidance offered by Atticus allows Scout not only to learn from experience, but also to develop her personal integrity. Atticus exemplifies his strong beliefs, as illustrated when he says ‘Shoot
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Empathy: Examples Of Empathy In To Kill A Mockingbird
879 Words | 2 Pages
In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill A Mockingbird, empathy is demonstrated throughout the novel. Empathy can be defined as the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. Atticus tries to explain to Jem and Scout about what he experiences and the things that are happening in Maycomb County. Several characters learn empathy and understand how they feel about certain things and understand the experiences of others. This plays a major role in the novel.
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To Kill A Mockingbird: A Story of Empathy
738 Words | 2 Pages
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.
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To Kill A Mockingbird
929 Words | 2 Pages
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...
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Comparing 1930's Society, as Depicted in To Kill a Mockingbird with Present Day Society
864 Words | 2 Pages
“You never really understood a person until you consider things from his point of view—until you climb into his skin and walk around it.” Atticus Finch is a man of extreme integrity. He, as both a lawyer and a human being, stands up for his democratic beliefs and encourages his children to stand up for their own, though they may stand alone. Harper Lee showed how far respect went in To Kill a Mockingbird when Atticus defended Tom Robinson in his rape trial. He did not think twice about being ridiculed by th...
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Empathy
658 Words | 2 Pages
In To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus is perceived by many as a very empathetic character because of many reasons. For example, as you know Atticus is a well-respected lawyer in Maycomb and many people look up to him, and even though he knows that defending Tom Robinson will harm that reputation among white people, he still chose to defend Tom Robinson. His ability to empathize with Tom Robinson shows not only the type of person he is, but also how he treats every one equally. Atticus’ spirit of empathy is not just shown in the Tom Robinson case. After the case is over, Bob Ewell greets Atticus by spitting on him and saying some rude remarks. But Atticus reacts calmly and doesn’t fight back. When the children hear of this situation, of course they are furious, but Atticus being the person he is tells them simply “…If you can just stand in Bob Ewell’s shoes a minute. I destroyed his last shred of credibility.” (Lee, 292). Another example of Atticus being empathetic is when he is speaking to Uncle Jack about lying to Scout Atticus says “Jack! When a child asks you something, answer him, for goodness’ sake. But don’t make a production of it. Children are children, but they can spot an evasi...
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How Does Scout Show Empathy In To Kill A Mockingbird
833 Words | 2 Pages
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.
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Compassion and Tolerance in To Kill A Mockingbird
629 Words | 2 Pages
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.
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Respect in To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
485 Words | 1 Pages
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.
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To Kill A Mockingbird Character Analysis
827 Words | 2 Pages
The author George Elliot once said “don’t judge a book by its cover.” Appearance can be very misleading, and you shouldn't prejudge the worth or value of something by its outward appearance alone. This philosophical idea has been included in many works of literature, including the timeless classic To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee. The novel takes place in the town of Maycomb, Alabama during the 1930s. Many citizens of Maycomb tend to make judgements based on outward appearances alone. In the novel, Lee uses minor characters such as Boo Radley, Mrs. Dubose, and Tom Robinson to convey the book’s theme of prejudice.
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Boo Radley Imagery
1080 Words | 3 Pages
Atticus, the father of Jem and Scout, was right when he said, ¨you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them.¨ Scout realizes that Boo Radley is not who everyone rumors him out to be. Scout learns that you need to spend time with a person to find out who he truly is. She learns this after walking Boo Radley home after the disturbing experience the Finch kids had been in. Scout finally understood what life looked like from Boo Radley's perspective when she is standing with him on his front porch. Also, when Scout talks to Atticus at the end of the book he shows her how she has turned into a wonderful young lady. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee develops the theme that believing rumors will lead you to false assumptions unless you have walked in that person's shoes through imagery, characterization, and point of view.
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To Kill A Mockingbird Atticus Morality Quotes
517 Words | 2 Pages
Atticus teaches his children about empathy by getting them to consider how the other person feels. Atticus tells Scout, “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”(39). Atticus displays empathy for Bob Ewell when Mr. Ewell spits in his face and threatens him. Atticus simply wipes his face with a handkerchief and continues on with his day. Jem becomes worried for Atticus thinking that Mr. Ewell will get him. Atticus tells Jem to think about how Mr. Ewell must feel “I destroyed his last shred of credibility…The man had to have some kind of comeback, his kind always does”(292). Atticus’ reassurance helped Jem understand the situation better. Empathy is clearly demonstrated by Scout for Boo Radley in the final chapter when Scout walks her rescuer home. Scout standing on Boo Radley's porch provides her the perspective
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How Does Miss Caroline Show Empathy In To Kill A Mockingbird
530 Words | 2 Pages
As the book comes to a close, readers can see just how mature and empathetic Scout has become. After Scout and Jem, Scout’s brother, are saved by Arthur “Boo” Radley, the town shut-in, Scout walks Boo home and after he walks back into her house, she turns around and just stares out at the street from Boo’s point of view instead of from her own. Her father taught her that you should
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To Kill A Mockingbird Empathy Analysis

Atticus Finch Courage in To Kill a Mockingbird

Empathy Quotes In To Kill A Mockingbird

Prejudice And Empathy In Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird

Empathy: Examples Of Empathy In To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill A Mockingbird: A Story of Empathy