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Examples Of Empathy In To Kill A Mockingbird

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Racism, Empathy, and Perspective in To Kill a Mockingbird In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, racism, empathy, and perspective are quite important to the story. In the novel, Tom Robinson got convicted of rape, all because of the color of his skin. The Jury provided no perspective towards Tom’s situation. When Francis called Atticus, a “nigger-lover” which is racist, Scout fought back, and Uncle Francis didn’t give perspective to Scout. Race, empathy, and perspective are important because racism is the basis for most of the story, and empathy provides perspective for the characters in the story.

Empathy and perspective is an important part, not only to the reader but to the characters in the book. For example, when Atticus was talking to Uncle Jack, they were talking about the conversation with him and Scout, “I know. Your daughter gave me my first lessons this afternoon. She said I didn’t understand children much and told me why. She was quite right. Atticus, she told me how I should have treated her—oh dear, I’m so sorry I romped on her.” (Lee, Chapter 9). When Scout confronted Uncle Jack, it gave perspective to Uncle Jack. He didn't get her side of the problem and jumped right at her. In …show more content…

For instance, when Atticus was testifying against Mayella he said “She was white, and she tempted a Negro. She did something that in our society is unspeakable: she kissed a black man. Not an old uncle, but a strong young Negro man.” (Lee, Chapter 19). This shows racism because Atticus says that kissing a Negro man is a terrible thing to do in the society that they’re in. Another example is, when Scout was talking to Dill about the trial, she says, “Well, Dill, after all he’s just a Negro” (Lee, Chapter 19). Calling Tom Robinson “just a Negro” is racist because Scout is just passing him off as something else, and not a person. In conclusion, racism is pretty significant to the

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