Essay On Moral Development In To Kill A Mockingbird

These ideas are channelled from her father, Atticus. He explains to his daughter what his views on empathy are, “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” (39). This quote is very deep, and really expresses the cold blood definition of what it means to be empathetic, and Harper Lee uses this quote to foreshadow the climax of the novel and to show how wise Atticus is. Scout, even at this young, tender age is given advice that will guide her and help her in tough situations through the novel. This is showing her first glimpse into what empathy is, and also a way of warning of what the future has in store.

Empathy is absolutely necessary in this cruel world. What would we do without it? Scout learns to be empathetic throughout the book. She starts to show empathy towards characters such as Boo Radley, Tom Robinson and Mayella Ewell. Boo Radley scared Scout at the beginning of the book, but she learned there’s nothing to fear.

1. What had occurred to Jem when he was nearly 13? Jem had gotten his arm broken badly at his elbow when was nearly 13. 2. Why did Simon Finch paddle up to Alabama?

The first reason Dill needs to be given more credit is in chapter 6 when Dill lied to Miss Stephanie by blurting, “We were playin’ strip poker up yonder by the fish pond” (Lee, 54). If Dill was not in the book, two siblings playing strip poker would be weird, but by adding Dill it kind of makes the situation funny for the reader. Dill’s quick thinking got Jem and Scout out of trouble because Jem probably would have told the truth and got into trouble for going to the Radley's house. If Dill did not say that they were playing strip poker, Miss Stephanie would be questioning the kids more and more until they finally told her that they went to look in at Boo Radley in his house.

Harper Lee creates a grand entrance for Dill. In such a dull and unexciting time in the young Scout and Jem’s summer, a ray of light shines through, they’ve got themselves a new friend. Dill, lesser known as Charles Baker Harris, was first found by the Finch siblings when they heard a noise in the backyard next door to their house. At first thought they assumed that the sound was coming from puppies because they knew Miss Rachel, their neighbor, had a pregnant dog. They find Dill and immediately become suspicious and they try to determine whether or not this new kid is worthy of being their friend. After some discussion, the eldest Finch child decides Dill is good people.

Dill’s life in Meridian, Mississippi is not as great as he makes it out to be, as he feels unloved and insignificant at home. When Dill runs away he is able to make a special connection with Boo because Boo is thought of as insignificant in the town, like Dill is at home. Dill’s naivety is shown when talking to Scout and Jem after riding the train to Maycomb by himself. Dill is explaining to them he has just seen his father, the president of L&N Railroad, “Dill’s father was taller than ours, he had a black beard (pointed), and was president of the L&N Railroad. ‘I helped the engineer for a while’ said Dill yawning. ‘In a pig's ear you did, Dill. Hush’ said Jem” (Lee, 48). Dill’s naivety is shown because he lies to Jem and Scout about his father that he does not have, so he is able to fit in, “Dill’s father was taller than ours, he had a black beard (pointed), and was president of the L&N Railroad.” Dill lies about his father and tries to make his father sound interesting so Jem and Scout think of Dill as a significant person. However, when Dill runs away from home to come and live in the Finch home, Dill’s conversation with Scout shows that he understands how Boo Radley feels and how difficult it is to be ignored and not loved, “ ‘Dill?’ ‘Mm?’ ‘Why do

No matter where or who a person is, they are always learning something, either about themselves or about the environment around them. In Harper Lee's heartwarming novel titled To Kill A Mockingbird, the main characters Jem and Scout grow and mature throughout the story as they learn both more about themselves and the world around them. As the story progresses, they learn many life lessons including those about prejudice, people and how they have been categorized and judged, and, last but not least, gender issues.

To Kill a Mockingbird Society has a strong influence on our children nowadays. The people we are in the past, has built what they are now and shaped them to either be heroes or dropouts. It is said that the people one socializes with, changes them; teaches them. In To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, his characters Scout and Jem Finch are shaped by the characters they are interacted with in the novel. The siblings change due to the characters, Dill Harris, Calpurnia, and Atticus Finch in ways they could not imagine as kids.

Jem being mischievous is when Dill dares Jem to touch the Radley house, “Jem threw open the

Jem lives in a small southern town of Maycomb, where there aren’t many kids around to socialize with. When Dill comes to Maycomb to visit his aunt in the summer, Jem and Scout immediately become friends with him. They tell stories and play games just as any other kids. Dill hears stories about Jem’s mysterious neighbor, the Radleys, especially Boo Radley who is described to be “about six-and-a-half feet tall, judging from his tracks; he dined on raw squirrels and any cats he could catch”- (Lee 16). Boo Radley becomes Dill’s interest

• Calpurnia’s act of courage shows when she takes Jem and Scout to First Purchase African M.E. Church. In my point of view I think Calpurnia did a courageous act because not knowing what could happen to Jem and Scout she still took the risk of taking them. Once they got there a member from First Purchase African M.E. Church named Lula disliked them because they were white “Lula stopped, but she said, ‘You ain’ t got no business bringin’ white chillun here – they got their church we got our’n.’’(119) This quote shows courage as well as prejudice. It makes the kids feel unwelcome and make them want to leave.

Character and Moral Development In the book To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Scout changes and grows throughout in many ways. Change has taken place in Scout that allows her to walk with Boo in the end. Her morals have also developed throughout the book.

For example, Scout’s inability to understand more complicated ideas shows when her Aunt Alexandra tells her about who should be considered “Fine Folk”. In addition Scout’s immature perception makes her very impressionable and therefore having the tendency to believe rumors very easily. A prime example of this, is the fear she had of Arthur “Boo” Radley, which originated from the stories in Maycomb. By the end of the book she obviously discerned that some statements that were thought to be facts were just hearsay. Sometimes, because she was so young, it took a very substantial event to help her understand the truth. One such event occurred when Arthur Radley saved her and Jem from Mr. Bob

Too often, kids will do almost anything to not look weak in front of their friends, even if it means them going against their parents will. In To Kill a Mockingbird , Dill wanted Jem to run and touch the Radley house. Jem did not want to do it because he was frightened by the thought. Dill said that people in Meridian were not as afraid as the folks in Maycomb. He said that he had never seen such scary folks as the ones in Maycomb (Lee 13).

The Kohlberg’s theory is a three level theory relating to moral reasoning and how it develops. In these three levels of moral reasoning there is six sub-stages make his theory more reasonable. The first stage of this theory is Preconventional Moral Reasoning. This first stage is when a child accepts and believes the rules of an authority figure such as parents and teachers. According to Kohlberg children under 10 years of age follow this Preconventional Moral Reasoning. The second stage of Kohlberg’s theory is the Conventional Moral Reasoning. This stage evolves throughout the thought of fitting in with society. It’s basically being a good citizen by following rules and laws. The final stage of Moral development according to Kohlberg, is