Empathy In To Kill A Mockingbird Essay

Words: 1051
Pages: 5

To Kill a Mockingbird Essay
By:Efren Fernandez

Perspective is something all human beings have, however the ability to understand and empathise another perspective is another matter .In the award winning novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee implies that the lesson of empathy is the foundation for an individual to properly develop as a well rounded person. She expresses this point of view from 3 of the main characters in the book; Jean Louise “Scout” Finch, Arthur “Boo” Radley and Atticus Finch.

The protagonist of the novel, Scout learns several lessons about empathy throughout the novel. Her father Atticus has stated several times that "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view” (36) . The quote
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The children hear many conspiracy theories surrounding Boo Radley’s life, because there is so much mystery around it, however stories like how Miss Stephanie “woke up in the middle of the night and found him looking in the window at her”. They are extremely false because his actions such as putting a blanket around Scout when Miss Maudie’s house was burning to comfort her, and when he leaves treasures such as a medal and a pocket watch shows that he is not as bad as the children believe. This misunderstanding surrounding his life, shows the lack of empathy and understanding from the people of Maycomb. Tom Robinson is convicted of a crime he did not commit, the main reason he was convicted was because of his race. Bob Ewell was most likely the one who abused Mayella Ewell and he blames Tom is an easy target. Bob Ewell's lack of respect towards black people because of his excessive use of the derogatory term n*gger. Bob Ewell also does not understand that “some Negroes lie” and some cannot “be trusted around women” and this truth “applies to the human race and to not particular race of men” because he has not empathize and respect Tom’s perspective. “It's a sin to kill a mockingbird” because they “Don't do one thing except make music for us to enjoy” Tom Robinson and Boo Radley is a symbol of a mockingbird, because they should be left to express their stories, instead of false rumors spread around by people that do not take the time to understand and empathize with