Narrated from Scout's perspective, the novel demonstrates the now-adult narrator's knowledge of the past point of view on the development of her character and point of view. In creating a more mature sensibility, the tomboyish Scout challenges the strengths attempting to socialize her into an endorsed sex part as a Southern lady. Aunt Alexandra tries to unpretentiously and not all that unobtrusively push Scout into a traditional sex part a part that frequently runs counter to her father's values and her own particular natural inclinations. Nonetheless, as occasions around the trial get to be appalling, Scout realizes the value of a portion of the traditions Alexandra is attempting to demonstrate her and chooses she, too, can be a "lady." To Kill a Mockingbird investigates subjects of bravery and the idea of good examples as well. Lee has stated that the novel was essentially a long love letter to her father, whom she loved as a man with profoundly held moral feelings. Atticus is clearly the saint of the novel, and capacities as a good example for his kids. Early in the story, the youngsters regard their father as weak and insufficient because he doesn't comply with several conventional standards of Southern masculinity. They eventually realize that Atticus has skill with a rifle, as well as moral courage, insights,
As Aunt Alexandra has been living with the family she has started judging Scout's clothes, "I could not, possibly hope to be a lady if I wore breeches; when I said I could so nothing in a dress, she said I wasn't supposed to be doing things that required pants" (Lee 108). As Scout grows, up she faces the force of adulthood, which involves her becoming more lady like. Once Scout realizes that she has to give up part of her past, she feel reluctant to do so. Aunt Alexandra tries to push Scout into the family legacy, but instead Scout feels the need to hide from the reality of moving on which means growing up. Scout wants to be herself and not forced to be a "Finch". She doesn't want to be molded into something or someone that she's not. Scout escapes the pressures of being a "lady" by hanging out with her brother and Father, where she was more at "home" and not surrounded by "hypocrites"- fragrant ladies. Scout's need and desires to be herself are not acceptable within her community and it pains her to convert to becoming a "Finch", a stereotypical Southern
“Maturity is when your world opens up and you realize that you are not the center of it.” –M.J. Croan. Maturity comes in steps, where we are always progressing and learning further about ourselves and how others perceive us. Scout gradually becomes more mature throughout the novel, leaving behind her innocence while also reconstructing her empathy and tolerance for others. Similarly Scout and I were both naïve to the world around us, but because of witnessing first-hand the inhumanity around us blatantly displayed a lack of empathy people contain within them. This was a learning experience for myself because it brought home racial discrimination in an event that will forever impact the way I treat others of a different race, color or religion.
...and teaching her how to be a girl. Scout knows that she won't be able to have all the freedom and fun that she's had up until now and this is why she feels so depressed when she sees her aunt sitting in the front porch. She also knows that Aunt Alexandra may have some bad influence on Scout's and Atticus's relationship because Atticus has a lot of respect for his sister and he never confronted her about anything. Scout is afraid because Atticus always takes his sister's side, it could effect the relationship Scout has with her father and that and this could bring them apart.
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.
Scout is a young girl growing up in the south, she is intelligent, thoughtful, and good natured. Her identity is somewhat uncommon during the time she lives in. She is characterized as a tomboy, who doesn’t always act “lady like” or proper by southern standards. Scout most likely became the type of person she is by the care of her father, Atticus. He shapes her mind, while trying to protect her from a dangerous world and preserving her childhood.
When Aunt Alexandra first arrived at the Finch house, she took over as if she had been living there her whole life. When arriving home, Jem and Scout found her, “sitting in a rocking chair exactly as if she had sat there every day of her life.”(p. 168). From the very beginning, Aunt Alexandra felt she should be completely in charge. The first thing she said was, “‘Put my bag in the front bedroom, Calpurnia,’” (p. 169). Aunt Alexandra treated Calpurnia as if Calpurnia was her servant. Aunt Alexandra was a strong influence within the Finches home, from the beginning. It did not do much of anything in the end, yet Jem and Scout saw a different side of their father, Atticus. “Atticus suddenly grew serious. In his lawyer’s voice, without a shade of affection, he said: ‘Your aunt has asked me to try and impress upon [Jem] and Jean Louise that you are not from run-of-the-mill people, that you are the product of several generations’ gentle breeding−’”(p. 177). This may have been one of the first times that the children...
Scout first learns to show compassion and tolerance by refusing to go to school because she hates Miss Caroline. Atticus tells her that, 'First of all, if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you'll get along 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). When Atticus told her this, she began to accept Miss Caroline as well as other people's differences and opinions.
In Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, stereotypes and rumors lead people to be less compassionate towards others. For instance, family names, town gossip and prejudice prompt people, like Jem, to act unsympathetic. I can connect this to typical high school life, where may people experience pre-judgment and sexism but also to society’s current need for a better understanding of empathy.
Throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, many characters develop and mature in unique ways. Boo, who fears talking to others, Aunt Alexandra, who is against people of other races or social classes, and Scout, who is young and is not aware of life’s challenges, constantly suppress their emotions and personality. Their life choices and decisions that they make throughout the book, lead them to be more accepting of others and less prejudice. As the book progresses, Boo, Aunt Alexandra, and Scout learn life lessons and develop into mature adults.
The novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, takes place in the 1930s in Maycomb Alabama during the Great Depression. This novel has several demonstrations of empathy. It develops this concept of empathy throughout the novel, leading us to understand empathy more. Commencing the novel, Scout introduces her family, friends, peers and everyone around her. In Maycomb, she speaks of Boo Radley, who is a very important character in this novel. From when Scout first starts school and having conflicts with her teacher to when she is playing a game revolving around Boo Radley with Dill and Jem, you come to the realization that the different points of view people have on other people can cause dilemmas. Empathy is the basis to love in a way.
As a growing young girl, Scout was learning and experiencing things just like any other child would though growing up. She got older and was able to understand things a lot better as well as being able to apply lessons she had learned in her everyday life. She began to act slightly more grown up in situations such as Aunt Alexandria's dinner party. Scout forgot how much she despised her Aunt and how much she disliked dresses and joined the group of women in their conversations. Despite how she didn't want to "act more like a lady", she played along with her Aunt's "campaign to teach me (Scout) to be a lady" made an exception to please her Aunt and to create some peace between them. Upon hearing the news of Tom's death she concludes "if Aunty could be a lady at a time like this, so could I." This shows how Scout was beginning to act more ladylike for her Aunt.
Aunt Alexandra is Atticus' sister. She moves to live with Scout and Jem because she wants to teach them the right way of growing up since their mom is dead. As she watches them grow up, she grows up mentally also. “People up there set them free, but you don't see them setting at the table with them. At least we don't have the deceit to say to them ‘yes, you are as good as we are but stay away from us’ said Mrs.
Firstly, Aunt Alexandra was motivated by fear which caused her to treat others badly. For example, Aunt Alexandra always complained about Scout's clothing and her behaviour because she was too scared that Scout would not turn out right. If Aunt Alexandra was not filled with fear, she would not be forcing Scout to change; by doing this, it was really making Scout's life miserable and she is teaching Scout that she cannot be who she wants to be. Also, Aunt Alexandra tried to hint that Atticus should leave the case because it might ruin their family's name, the whole family hates what Atticus is doing, "Just what I said. Grandma says it's bad enough he lets you all run wild, but now he'sturned out a nigger-lover we'll never be able to walk the streets of Maycomb agin. He's ruinin' the family, that's what he's doin'," (Lee 110). Aunt Alexandra only came to set Atticus and Scout straight, but if she was not motivated by fear, she would let Atticus do what he feels is right to do. Aunt Alexandra's attitude towards the case has been destructive, but it does not show as much, her attitude is making Scout feel sad and mad and inside, Atticus probably feels sad that his family does not appreciate what he is doing. Fear is motivating Aunt Alexandra to treat people poorly...
Nobel Peace Prize winner, Desmond Tutu, once said “frequently people think compassion and love are merely sentimental. No! They are very demanding. If you are going to be compassionate, be prepared for action” (values.com). When one thinks of compassion, sympathy and sorrow come to mind. However, compassion also is accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering. This can be accomplished by standing up for what one believes is right. Throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee deeply develops her theme that compassion is understanding someone else’s perspective and using this compassion to stand up against society.