Empathy Quotes In To Kill A Mockingbird

Empathy was widely displayed in the novel ‘To Kill a Mockingbird.’ Harper Lee incorporates the meaning empathy in her novel by having Atticus Finch demonstrate empathy, and Bob Ewell being opposite by showing hate and anger. Through both characters and families, it is clearly visible about how empathy is important in the growing stages of life. “You never really understand another person until you consider things from his point of view -- until you climb into his skin and walk around it,” these are the words that Atticus said when he taught Scout about empathy to change her way of thinking. Bob Ewell, is a hateful person, he disrespects, threatens and is an extremely violent person. His lack of empathy resulted with the death of Tom Robinson.

Atticus taught Scout about empathy after she was complaining about “starting off on the wrong foot” on her first day of school. Further into the book Scout starts to demonstrate empathy: “I tried to climb into Jem’s skin and walk around in it: if I had gone alone to the Radley Place at two in the morning, my funeral would have been held the next afternoon. So I left Jem alone and tried not to bother him.” Scout is trying to show empathy towards Jem and succeeded. This is only one occurrence of Scout’s growing empathetic nature. During the trial of Tom Robinson Scout thought about Tom’s testimony and concluded that Mayella “must have been the loneliest person in the world.” As the novel progressed Atticus thought it is a good idea for Aunt Alexandra to visit. Scout does not appreciate Aunt Alexandra’s presence, however she said she “would like it very much” because “one must lie under certain circumstances and at all times when one can’t do anything about them.” With Scout growing older through the novel her empathy develops and her attitude changes for the

Bob Ewell has a violent and disrespectful personality, and this creates a disaster. There is evidence that Bob Ewell had something more than a father and daughter relationship with Mayella and is an abusive father. “He says you goddamn whore, I’ll kill ya,” Tom Robinson heard Mr Ewell holler that to Mayella as he ran towards the house. Those are not the words you hear a father say to their daughter. Mayella’s injuries are on her left side of her face and neck. Tom Robinson is not strong enough to cause those severe injuries with one hand. Mayella is the oldest sibling in the Ewell family, she sacrifices her teen life to take care of her younger siblings as well as help around the farm more due to the death of her mother. Mr Ewell failed to put himself into Mayella’s shoes to understand her, she is so lonely due to not having someone to talk to. Tom Robinson is the only person that she could talk to and Mr Ewell got rid of him. The trial ended with Bob Ewell’s last shred of pride gone. Mr Ewell’s attempt to kill Jem and Scout resulted in his death with a kitchen knife through his chest. Mr Ewell did not just end Tom Robinson’s life out of fury and hatred, he ended his and Mayella’s social life due to not knowing the importance of