Essay Empathy in to Kill a Mockingbird

Throughout the book To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses Scout’s changing understanding of empathy to show growth and maturity in Scout. She uses empathy to better understand the feelings of others. Especially in difficult times, to understand the world from another person’s perspective. She uses her father’s advice to guide her through tough times, and be a better person overall.

1) Atticus is an empathetic person who tries to make sure people are treated equally, and in the case of his children, that people should grow up and make a positive difference. Atticus shows his empathy by telling Scout to try to understand what Miss Caroline is going through. Harper Lee is trying to show that with empathy, everyone benefits, and there would be less hate and injustice. Atticus 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.” (Lee 39). Atticus is telling Scout to look at the world through Miss Caroline’s eyes, to see why Miss Caroline reacts the way that she does. Atticus believes that if Scout can see how scared Miss Caroline is, with teaching a new school in a new way, then Scout can understand what makes Miss Caroline act the way that she does. When Scout asks Atticus why he is angering the town by defending Tom Robinson, he says that he must, or else he would no longer be reputable. Atticus says, “Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win.” (Lee 101) Atticus leads by example, and that if he did not hold himself to the same standard that he wants Scout and Jem to be at, then he is no better than the rest of the town. He knows that he is going to lose, but wants to show his children that it is important to do the right thing no matter the consequences or result, and

This evidence demonstrates how Scout is finally understanding empathy, by looking past her own experiences into the shoes of Tom Robinson. In doing so, Scout is able to emerge as a person who isn’t completely influenced by the thoughts of the society. But rather, she is able to be aware of the distrust of society, criticize them and make judgements based on the morals and experiences of those she meets, not physical

In the middle of trial, Tom is called to the stand and is told to give his testimony. During his testimony, Tom is asked by Mr. Gilmer why he helped Mayella Ewell, which Tom responds with: "I felt right sorry for her, she seemed to try more'n the rest of 'em". (Lee 224) Within the country of Maycomb, there is a clear hierarchy to class and is based on both a man's race and economic status. The class system in Maycomb is designed so that the richest black man will always be considered lesser than the poorest f white men. Because of this class disparity, the idea of a black man taking pity on white women (no matter how poor) is unthinkable. It is clear to the reader that Tom Robinson feels empathetic to Mayella Ewell due to her economic status. The process of assigning Tom Robinson a lawyer also demonstrates how empathy goes past race. When first assigned to the case, Atticus tells his brother Jack: "John Taylor pointed at me and said, 'You're It.'"(Lee 100) Judge John Taylor is in charge of assigning the lawyers to the case, and is also a resident of Maycomb for many years. As a resident of Maycomb, he would most likely be aware of the class disparity in the county and would know that Tom Robinson's word will be held to a lesser regard than the poor white Ewell's. Due to this disparity is race and class, Judge Taylor decides to

To Kill a Mockingbird is full of different characters, each with different personalities, views, and lifestyles. We see as readers the struggles and high points from Scout’s perspective; giving us a chance to have empathy for different characters. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. Throughout the book Atticus helps many people feel empathy, two main people are Jem and Scout his children.

In conclusion, the ability to show empathy is essential in order to understanding other people’s actions and treat them fairly with respect. This is demonstrated through the events that happen to Scout, Jem, and Arthur. In the story, Scout goes through some major changes that affect how she sees others. Slowly throughout the story, Scout slowly transform into a person who understands other people’s actions through empathy, which allows Scout to treat others with respect. She decides to back off Cecil, who doesn’t understand what he’s saying, give Jem his space, and feel empathy for Boo. Jem also goes through huge changes throughout the story. Due to the events that occur to others such as Mrs. Dubose and Tom Robinson after the case, Jem shows

“All I ever wanted was to reach out and touch another human being not just with my hands but with my heart” (Tahereh Mafi). In Harper Lee’s book, To Kill A Mockingbird, there is a focus on empathy throughout the story. The theme in the book about empathy is portrayed as a very important concept in order to maintain our humanity in society. In To Kill a Mockingbird, the person who is the most empathetic, has to be Atticus, as he has many shining moments in the book.

Scout learns that empathy is major principal of someone's everyday life. Throughout the story, Scout goes along with the name calling and judging others despite her father's advice on empathy. Scout began to learn about empathy during her first grade year when she got high expectations for her teacher, Mrs. Caroline. Scout thought she was doing the right thing by

The novel To Kill a Mockingbird, written by author Harper Lee, displays numerous themes that can be connected to the world, a personal life, and more. One theme I noticed in the book was empathy. Empathy is the key to getting along with others. There are numerous examples of empathy that can be connected to the text. Scout, a main character in the story, displays empathy frequently by learning to, “walk about in someone’s skin”(Lee, 41). As Scout and her brother Jem grow up throughout the story they learn how much empathy can affect the way you view someone. An example of when Scout displays empathy in the text is in chapter two when she sees Walter Cunningham embarrassed in the classroom. Walter Cunningham is an extremely poor boy

    “It’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” Everything started with a man named Simon Finch, an American fur trader, that settled a successful farm on the banks of the Alabama river. Atticus, one of Simon’s sons, left for school and then came back to Maycomb to become a successful lawyer and raise Jem and Scout. The community they live in, Maycomb County, is full of prejudice and racism but also with empathy. Everyone who lives there like Atticus, Jem, Scout, Dill, Boo Radley, The two poor families, Miss Caroline, Miss Maudie, Mrs. Dubose, the list can go on, took a big part in this situation because they all either had empathy, received empathy or where the ones that had prejudice towards other people. The author gives sufficient evidence that within this community empathy can be the solution to racism and prejudice.

As Jem and Scout grow up, they learn how to empathize other people and why showing empathy is very important. Atticus takes the major role of teaching Jem and Scout

Empathy can be defined as making a connection to someone during a situation. In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, empathy is a main part in some of the characters’ lives. Without empathy, the novel would lack many components that make the main characters, Jem and Scout, who they are.

The book, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, is centered around the racism and injustice in the American South in the 1930’s. It focuses on a young Alabama girl named Scout, and her father, who is defending an innocent black man accused of rape. In her book, Harper Lee reveals the idea of empathy, through quotes such as, "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...until you climb inside his skin and walk around in it" (Lee 30). In the book, Atticus Her writing exemplifies the theme that empathy helps people better understand the motives and actions of others, through juxtaposition, symbolism, and stereotype revelations.

Atticus, he was really nice…” His hands were under my chin, pulling up the cover, tucking it around me. Most people are, Scout when you finally see them”(376) because once you see a person from their standpoint, you can understand them better. The novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee takes place in the 1960’s through the eyes of Scout Finch. Her father Atticus had been given a case which involved a black man (Tom Robinson) and a white woman (Mayella Ewell). He had been accused of raping Mayella. Scout and her brother Jem, learn from their father's actions. Atticus does his best even though he already knows that there is little chance he will win because of the segregation at the time. Atticus takes the case because he sympathizes with Tom Robinson. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, shows that without empathy society can’t understand anything beyond their own personal beliefs and experiences. Throughout the novel, Atticus, Scout, and Calpurnia all demonstrate their understanding of the importance of empathy.

Upon being brought up in a white Christian household, it becomes increasingly difficult for one to empathize with the other types of people. The Ewells, African Americans, and the Cunninghams are the three groups that are degraded by the upper white class of Maycomb, Alabama. In the book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Jem and Scout get the opportunity to go to an African American church, invite a Cunningham to their house, and witness a court trial. This in turn contributes to the better understanding of the others. Harper Lee’s message to the reader says that it is necessary for one to have empathy so that society can work together and have a harmonious lifestyle.