The Creation of Identity in To Kill a Mockingbird

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A person’s identity is created by his family, friends, and neighbors. These influences can be people that choose to interact or have to interact with each other. The decisions made based on these interactions define a person. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout, the narrator, is affected by numerous sources. Scout’s identity is shaped in part by Atticus, Miss Maudie, and her experience with the court case. 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...

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