Essay Empathy in to Kill a Mockingbird

Scout does not like all of the prejudices in the town, and world, all shows a lot of empathy for how young she is in this quote, “I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks,” (304) Atticus, Scout, and minor characters show the importance of empathy. Atticus always thinks about how people feel, scout shows empathy throughout the novel, especially at the end, and some minor characters show some empathy. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee demonstrates the importance of empathy.

“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.

In conclusion, To Kill A Mockingbird has many examples of how characters show empathy to other characters. In this novel, one of the main themes or lessons Lee tries to teach the reader is empathy for others. To judge a person, you must walk in his “shoes” or “skin”. Throughout the novel, Atticus, Jem and Scout Finch mature and start showing empathy more and more and to more and more people. If it weren’t for empathy, no one would have defended Tom Robinson. A wise person told me many of our lawyers today as kids they decided to be lawyers because of Atticus Finch’s heroic

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.

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

“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view— until you climb in his skin and walk around in it,” says Atticus Finch. This iconic quote from Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird highlights the compassion for others that shows up several times in the story. Empathy is a prevalent theme in To Kill a Mockingbird and is displayed by several characters. Atticus Finch is one of the most compassionate characters. He sets an example for his kids, who also learn to empathize. Several other characters besides the Finch family show compassion for each other. The title of the novel itself symbolizes empathy for the innocent and accentuates the role of compassion in this novel.

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

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

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.

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

    “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.

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.

In to Kill a Mockingbird harper lee demonstrates to the reader the importance of empathy mainly through the action and advice of Atticus. An example of this would be when Atticus said "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" to scout (33). This quote teaches students the basics of empathy and how to look at things at others point of view. In addition, the advice Atticus gives in this quote is direct, easy to understand and is crucial towards student understanding on how to develop a good relationship with someone. Empathy can

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.