Over the course of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, the three main characters (Scout, Jem, and Dill) learn important lessons like courage, justice, and forgiveness, from characters like Atticus, Heck Tate, and Mrs. Maudie. However, the most important lesson that the kids learn over the course of the book is that of empathy. Empathy is demonstrated as well as taught to our main characters through the trial of Tom Robinson. The conviction of Tom indirectly and directly leads both Scout and Jem to empathize with Boo Radley, as well as teach all three characters that empathy goes beyond race and class. Directly after the trial of Tom Robinson (and after Tom has been convicted of a crime he didn't commit) Jem starts to empathize with Boo …show more content…
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
Atticus decides to take on a highly controversial case in Maycomb, where Mayella Ewell, a 19 year old white female, accuses Tom Robinson, a black man in his thirties, of rapeing her. During the trial, Mayella, Bob, and the sheriff state that Robinson hit her on the right side of her face; however, Atticus contradicts the Ewell’s story by showing the jury that Tom Robinson only has one useful hand. Jem then whispers, ‘We’ve got him’” (Lee 202). Although, Maycomb’s society would never allow for Tom Robinson to win the trail, Jem’s innocent perspective enables him to believe that race does not come before the facts. Shortly after the trial, Jem says, “‘Doesn’t make it right. You can’t just convict a man on evidence like that-—you can’t’” (Lee 252). Jem displays an understanding of the racism and divisions in society within Maycomb in this quote. He knows that the conviction of Tom Robinson is bias and that the treatment of all blacks is unfair. Jem shows moral growth in this quote and has a more mature mindset about equality than most of the folks in Maycomb.
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
One major theme in To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee is that empathy can change how one reacts to his surroundings. In chapter three, protagonist Scout has a bad day at school. She asks Atticus, her father, to homeschool her after she has disagreements with both Burris Ewells and Walter Cunningham. However, Atticus tells her that “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” (39). Atticus says this to Scout so she can reevaluate the situation and have a more realistic view, however, what he said can be applied to everyday life. To understand the feelings of another is to see the world through their eyes. Only through this can true connection be developed. Empathy creates bonds and friendships between individuals, and when Atticus says
Out of all the characters in the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Jean Louise Finch most known as “Scout” shows empathy throughout the novel. In the novel Scout is able to allow her to understand the meaning behind “ To not judge a book by its cover” and also how to "put yourself in someone else's shoes”. At the end of the novel, Scout truly knows how Boo Radley (a old man that everyone in the Maycomb area spreads rumours about) lives and what he sees; by standing on his porch. Scout is a very tom-boy girl, she wears overalls and not dresses, she hangs out with boys and she even fights like a boy. Scout is known for using her fists first and not her words “he made me start off on the wrong foot” (Lee 30).
understand this very well and respect it. They were both terrified when they were getting attacked. Not only was it an unfair attack, because Jem and Scout are much smaller but
Humans are the most advanced beings on Earth. Since we are the dominant creature, we are the best creature. We can do astounding things, like what I’m doing right now. It’s pretty cool to have the brain of a human. Right? Debatably. In the book To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout and Jem experience classism and implicit bias. From this, they learn to empathize.
Title: Empathy in "To Kill a Mockingbird": Walking in Another's Skin In Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird," Atticus Finch imparts a crucial piece of advice to his daughter Scout: "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. " This iconic quote encapsulates the essence of empathy, urging individuals to transcend their own perspectives and empathize with others. To "walk around in the skin" of another character or person means to deeply understand their thoughts, feelings, and experiences by adopting their perspective. This concept of empathy is intricately woven throughout the novel, influencing various characters and their interactions.
“Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his
He implies if one does not follow their conscience will, they will live overwhelmed by guilt. Here, the moral of human beings is threatened by the recurring subject of racism, as well as discrimination issues. Jem is an epitome of a corrupted person as he justifies that Atticus is wrong because everyone else thinks so. Nevertheless, he finds himself after the testimony is given. When it comes time for the trial, Jem follows it closely. Having grown up in the home of a lawyer, Jem understands the workings of the courtroom, besides its racial bias. Once the judge goes over the evidence, Jem becomes increasingly confident that Atticus won but his belief that Tom is innocent contrasts with what actually occurs: Tom is found guilty. While looking at Jem, Scout sees how his “shoulders jerked as if each ‘guilty’ was a separate stab between them.” By comparing Jem’s reaction to a “stab,” Lee not only shows Jem receiving blows of devastation over the case and feeling physically attacked but also points to the broader attack on things that Jem thought were once true. This is something that causes him great emotional pain as he has a hard time coming to terms with general unfairness. Jem has counted on the strength of bigotry but in
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.
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from their point of view-until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” (p.30) The novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee includes a plethora of essential themes that make one think deeply. The story takes place in the 1930’s when segregation tensions were high. The narrative is told through the eyes of a young girl, Jean Louise (Scout) Finch. Scout’s father, Atticus is a lawyer fighting a case for an African American man named Tom Robinson. Throughout the novel, both Scout and her older brother Jeremy (Jem) Finch learn many life lessons that are crucial for all children to learn about. One fundamental lesson learned by the children, is the lesson of having empathy.
Throughout Harper Lee’s novel, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, empathy is learned and demonstrated in the characters lives. It is one if the novels defining themes as Lee’s character, Atticus teaches it to his children, Scout and Jem. His children are also taught it by Tom Robinson, a person that Atticus is defending in law.
Through the course of the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, Jem encounters a series of events that cause him to grow up. During Tom Robinson’s trial, Jem’s eyes were opened to the racism and prejudice of the South: loss of innocence, a major theme in the novel, is a realization of the cruelty and injustice in the world, and that one must develop a tolerance for it.
After watching the trial, Jem saw that the people of Maycomb were being unjust to Tom Robinson and giving the Ewells an unfair advantage. “There’s something in this world that makes men lose their heads- they couldn’t be fair even if they tried. In our courts, when it’s a black man’s word against a white man’s, the white man always wins.” (pg. 117) Jem knows that everyone should be treated fairly. When he was younger he did not understand why this was. Now, he is now exposed to the amount of racism that the South has. Atticus has taught him to stay strong through the tough times and to always treat people with respect no matter the color of his skin. Towards the end of the trial Jem was sure that Atticus and Tom Robinson had won the case. However, the rest of Maycomb was on Mayella and Mr. Ewell’s side which made him very frustrated. “It was Jem’s turn to cry. His face was streaked with angry tears as we made our way through the cheerful crowd. “It ain’t right,” he muttered, all the way to the corner square where we found atticus waiting.” (pg. 113) He knows it’s not right to not believe a man’s word because of the color of his skin.
To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel which deals with many themes; the most dominant of these is empathy, as it is crucial in the relationships between characters as well as in their learning experiences. The way Scout finally learns how to use empathy to see things from Boo Radley’s point of view was very moving to the reader, and the reader can