Examples Of Tolerance In To Kill A Mockingbird

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In Harper Lee’s book To Kill a Mockingbird, it displays multiple scenes of prejudice and tolerance, courage and cowardice. The events of To Kill a Mockingbird are about an African-American man named Tom Robinson who is accused of raping a young woman named Mayella Ewell. Throughout the trial of Tom, we learn how unfairly African Americans are treated when this book was made. In the book, we follow Atticus Finch and his two children, Jem and Scout, as they fight through the prejudice, tolerance, courage, and cowardice of others and themselves. Courage and cowardice can be seen in the book through Jean Louise aka Scout Finch, Atticus’ daughter. Scout is the narrator of the book and also the protagonist of the book. Scouts' wits and strong …show more content…
The readers can encounter tolerance throughout the book with Atticus. Atticus shows tolerance throughout the book many times. One example was when Atticus took the case to defend Tom Robinson and everyone in town was shocked that he took the case and is defending an African-American. But, in response to them nagging on him, Atticus states, “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.” (CH 3) Atticus meaning no one can ever understand someone’s perspective on life until you actually were to become the person. This also meaning don't judge a person just solely based on their appearance. Another prime example of tolerance with Atticus in the book was how Atticus spoke about Mrs. Dubose. Mrs. Dubose was a crotchety old lady that lived a few houses down from the Finches. She was known as the rudest lady in town because she didn't like one single person especially not Scout or Jem. When Jem gets upset with Mrs. Dubose for speaking poorly about Atticus, Jem goes and pulls up some of her flowers in the yard. As punishment Atticus makes Jem go and read to Mrs. Dubose with full intent on something other than punishment. Atticus teaches Jem how to act around her by saying, "She's an old lady and she's ill. You just hold your head high and be a gentleman. Whatever she says to you, it's your job not to let her make you mad." (CH 11) Even though Mrs. Dubose speaks so poorly about Atticus he is still always so kind and caring when he talks about her. And, after Mrs. Dubose passes away Atticus reveals the real reason he wanted Jem to go over. Atticus explains to Jem the Mrs. Dubose was a morphine addict her whole life and before she died she wanted to be free of the addiction. Atticus says, "She said she was going to leave this world beholden to nothing and nobody. She said she meant to break herself of it before she died,