There are some people in this world that can truly understand, or try to understand people and their feelings. They can relate to them on some sort of level. Then there's is plenty of people in this world who have no empathy at all. They don’t feel for people or even try to understand. That's exactly why everyone should read To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. The book is about a little girl named Scout and her older brother Jem, who is going through some changes as they grow older in the racist south where their father, a lawyer has a case about a black man raping a white woman. Over the course of the book, both characters grow in great measures. Their father is always teaching them in little ways what’s right/wrong, and what’s good/bad. …show more content…
For instance, when Walter Cunningham eats lunch at their house, he does things differently. He puts syrup on everything, and in large amounts. He first uses his hand as well. Scout calls him out at the table, and Calpurnia is extremely upset with Scout, while she doesn’t understand the problem. The problem was she didn’t understand it’s rude to do that, because not everyone is taught the same way of doing things. “You never really know a person until you consider things from their point of view until you climb into his skin and walk around in it”(Lee 29). Atticus tells Scout this, in a way to tell her she needs to try to understand people before she judges them. Walter was a very poor boy, who rarely ever ate, and the fact that Scout said something rude to him at the dinner table lacked complete empathy. So as Atticus told Scout that it taught her a lesson, not everyone she meets is going to do things the same way, or be the same, though she should try to understand them before she judges …show more content…
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
Empathy is a complicated but significant trait in society. This characteristic binds people together, resonates within souls, and strengthens bonds. The ability to personally identify with and share others’ emotions, can make the world a better place in various ways. Shown in the 1960s novel, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, this is an important topic and theme that continues throughout its entirety. It is in her hometown of Maycomb that Scout, the protagonist, faces many biases, slightly atypical neighbors, and unexpected events, and her personality changes preferably.
For example, he tells Scout not to judge people just because they are different, people should try to understand and love each other. “...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,” (30). Atticus puts into practice what he teaches. Walter Cunningham Jr., Scout’s schoolmate was invited to eat at the Finch’ household. The house maid, Calpurnia offers Walter some syrup, Walter poured a surplus of maple syrup on his meat and vegetable meal. Walter does not know any better because he is from a poor family. Scout reacted in an inappropriate way by causing Walter to feel uncomfortable. Atticus responds by patiently shaking his head at Scout two times to show that her reaction was not appropriate. “‘Did you pay a bushel of potatoes for him?’ [Scout] asked, but Atticus shook his head at [Scout]...[Walter] would have probably poured [syrup] into his milk glass if [Scout] had not asked what the sam hill he was doing...Atticus shook his head at [Scout],” (24). This shows how Atticus puts himself in Walter’s “skin,” tolerating his unusual
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.
“ You know the court appointed to defend this n-word,” “ yeah, but he still aims to defend him that's what I don't like about it,” (Lee 218). Justice for Tom, is what Atticus wants no matter what people think or say. Supporting Jem throughout the trial was important he tries to help him understand what the society thinks about white vs black men. He says that when is a white man's word against a black man's word, the white always win. But if it were up to children instead of the jury Tom would be free. “ There's something in our world that makes men lose their heads- they couldn't be fair if they tried… Their ugly but those are the facts of life.” (Lee 220). Finch held the court case out longer than most lawyers would, because he shared the truth on what he belived. Everyone around him knew that he wasn't going to win, but that he would give Tom a chance to tell his story. Miss. Maudie tells Jem and Scout “I thought Atticus Finch won't win, he can't win, but he's the only man in these parts who can keep a jury out so long in a case like that.” (Lee 226). After Atticus lost the trial and Tom was sent to jail. Jem has a hard time understanding why the trial went down that way, so Atticus tried to explain to him. “Tom Robinson’s a colored man, Jem. No jury in this part of the world's going to say ‘we think you're guilty, but not very’ on a charge like that…” (Lee 219). Even Atticus knew that he wasn't going to win the case but he was still courageous to take the case and give Tom a fair
In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch shows us how to balance the pressures of being a lawyer and a moral teacher while teaching his kids. It takes courage to do something that is morally good, but is worthy of making someone shunned. That is exactly what Atticus displays when he accepts Tom Robinson’s case. Robinson is on trial for rapping and beating Mayella Ewell. He was innocent of the charges brought upon him, but being an African-American in their society, not many people took Tom’s side. Atticus knew that the jury would be stacked against him. ”Confident that you gentlemen would go along with the assumption--- the evil assumption--- that all negroes lie.”(273)
Atticus bravely volunteers to defend Tom even though he already knows the outcome of the trial. All evidence points to the innocence of Tom, however because he is a black man he is pronounced guilty. “A jury never looks at a defendant it has convicted, and when this jury came in, not one of them looked at Tom Robinson.” (349) Because of the color of Tom’s skin, he must now serve time in prison for a crime that he did not commit. Instead of honorably listening to the facts of the case and constructing a wise decision based on the evidence, the jury determined their decision well before the trial began. It was completely impossible for Tom to walk away from the courtroom as an innocent, and free man. Racism remains one of the most common forms of injustice throughout
One cannot truly empathize with others “until [they] climb into [other’s] skin and walk around in it” (Lee 39). This inability to empathize is due to the fact that minors are self-centered and often only consider themselves, so they are unable to relate with other individuals and their struggles. This absence of empathy is a direct result of a lack of maturity. When Harper Lee wrote To Kill a Mockingbird in the 1950s, humanity, as a whole, lacked empathy. Sadly, racism was a cruel yet common part of everyday life. Whites had no concern or care for any black people. Black people were treated as animals. This directly correlates with the manner of which the children in the novel treat the other characters. In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird,
There holds a societal obligation to preserve the dignity and uphold the respect for every human individual, with irrelevance to the human condition. Boo Radley’s character greatly contrasts his perceived social image to which, I believe that symbolizes society, into which Lee states that empathy may work wonders. Harper Lee uses Boo as a symbol for the outcasts of society, and the Maycomb residents for the social standard, and thus Boo’s actions may teach the reader to consider the full breadth of the human individual, and apply empathy to the character’s social deviations.
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… until you climb into his skin and walk around it” (Lee 39). The main character Jean Louise “Scout” Finch is told this quote by her father, Atticus, in the book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Atticus believes that you will not be able to better understand what someone is going through without seeing things from their perspective. The novel follows Scout’s perspective on how the town’s society imposes hatred, prejudice and ignorance towards the innocent. Scout matures when she begins to see things from the perspectives of those the society isolates. Towards the end, we see the change that has taken place in Scout that allows her to walk up to Boo Radley
Empathy is defined as the ability to understand and share the feelings of another, a skill most humans do not acquire. That is why Atticus Finch stresses the point of being empathic and not quick to judge through several situations regarding three different people. The reasoning behind this is due to the fact Atticus understands how first impressions of people can be misleading and incorrect. The most feared person, as shown as Boo Radley, could end up being a town hero. Having empathy for everyone despite their differences leads to the realization of the importance of being optimistic and compassionate as shown in harper lee’s novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, through a “scary” neighbor, a less fortunate child, and an immature man with the realizations made by Atticus Finch with his children Scout and Jem Finch.
Scout and Jem have been shown how people’s opinions can affect and alter their lives with new feelings and conditions through experiencing it in real life outside of school. The novel describes an instance where others are bullying the Finch family because Atticus is defending a black man in the trial: Tom Robinson. The verbal assault Scout and Jem receive is harsh for young kids that are not directly involved in it, but Atticus makes sure to support Scout and Jem through the opposition: ““Scout,” said Atticus, “when summer comes you will have to keep your head about far worse things… it’s not fair for you and Jem...Scout, I couldn’t go to church and worship God if I didn’t try to help that man” (Lee 105). This quote shows the advice that Atticus gives to Scout to help her. Atticus explains how she should not let other people’s words hurt her and how he needs to help Tom in order to not feel guilty about the whole situation. Scout now knows how to deal with situations where she is facing oppression in the future which is something school does not teach her how to accomplish. This
To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, explores different themes and contains many important lessons. One of these lessons is empathy and understanding which is introduced to the main character through Atticus Finch who says "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." By following Atticus' advice, Scout begins to understand many different characters such as her brother Jem, Miss Caroline Fisher and Arthur ‘Boo’ Radley.
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
Miss. Gates, Scout’s third grade teacher, tries to teach Scout about prejudice through Hitler and his hate of the Jewish, but Scout notices that Miss. Gates displays prejudice in her own community against Tom Robinson and other African-Americans. When describing Hitler’s actions, she states “Over here we don’t believe in persecuting anybody. Persecution comes from people who are prejudiced.” (Lee, 329). When describing her confusion to Jem, Scout later recalls that “I heard her say it’s time somebody taught ‘em a lesson, they were getting way above themselves, an’ the next thing they think they can do is marry us” (Lee 331). Miss. Gates’ contradiction draws parallels with that of society at the time, since she realizes the problem of prejudice, but refuses to admit that she has become prejudiced. Likewise, society recognizes the problems that African-Americans face, but is continuing to refuse to acknowledge or do anything about them. Atticus, one of the only people who recognizes the struggles that those facing prejudice live with, instructs his children that “It’s not okay to hate anybody” (Lee, 330), and tells them “I do my best to love everybody” (Lee, 144). He doesn’t want his children to be infected by the prejudice of the society they inhabit, but instead teaches them to love and respect everyone they come
Within the novel Scout symbolizes the mockingbird through her many encounters with this theme. Without really understanding a person you could wrongfully judge or harm them. On her first day of school Scout was wrongfully judged because she