Scout's Obstacles

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved,” (Helen Keller). Throughout the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Scout faces her fair share of obstacles and learning experiences which build her character. Aspects of courage, perseverance, respect, humility, compassion, generosity and optimism all shape good character and Scout learns to accept these into her life. She is forced to confront difficult situations dealing with race and her community’s social hierarchy. The 1930s community is a challenge for Scout to navigate with the contrasting views and opinions of the prominent components of the physical town: the

Caroline; in school, Miss Caroline is ignorant of the ways in which the town functions. Atticus teaches Scout that “you never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view,” (39) because the way that Scout refused to try and look at why Miss Caroline could have acted the way she did. Miss Caroline comes from a higher social class than most of the people of Maycomb and this difference made it difficult for Scout to understand her approaches in school. As a result, Atticus builds Scout character in his lesson of compassion and respect towards not only Miss Caroline, but anyone she should encounter. Atticus brings about more than only compassion in that situation though; he brings optimism to her. The fact that Atticus provides an alternative option for Scout to continues reading at home presents to her how there is an optimistic way to think and remain hopeful through any situation. She brings this lesson with her throughout the book as she attempts to see from every perspective.
The lessons in character continue, but with Jem as another prominent instructor. Scout’s young and adventurous spirit lead her to adopt the habit of fighting. This was changed by Jem inviting Walter Cunningham to dinner with them saying they would “be glad to have” (30) him. This displayed an example of compassion and generosity to a person of lower class for Scout; it teaches Scout that she was not a “dispensation” (31) to these qualities. In school, Scout learns not only academic lessons, but lessons of compassion, respect, optimism, and generosity through differences in social class to transform her