Importance Of Empathy In To Kill A Mockingbird

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To establish empathy an individual must first view the world from another’s standpoint; this is a normal part of growing up. Harper Lee unveils this simple process to understanding people in order to demonstrate the importance of tolerance towards others; as Scout learns from her first day at school. A flustered and embarrassed Scout is angry with Miss Caroline, the new teacher that reacts peculiarly to Scout’s ability to read and the other strange children whose unfortunate lives are announced for all of Maycomb to know and judge. Due to her anger, Atticus teaches Scout that “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” demonstrating that in …show more content…
Consequently, establishing empathy through compassion and understanding aids in eliminating prejudice. Lee reveals that prejudice is directed at individuals within Maycomb County because the people that lack the public’s empathy are associated with fear and superstition therefore leading to injustice. An individual character that has been prejudiced against due to the lack of empathy is one the ‘mockingbirds’ of the story, Arthur ‘Boo’ Radley. Jem Finch feels empathy for Boo Radley early on in his life, “ I think I’m beginning to understand why Boo Radley’s stayed shut up in the house all the time… it’s because he wants to stay inside.’ Lee showcases that Jem has set aside all the rumours, fear and mystery around Boo Radley and accepted that maybe the reason he doesn’t leave the house is because of society, because the people in Maycomb are ‘four types of people, the ordinary kind, those out in the woods, those down at the dumps and the negroes.’ Most of these people all go out of their way to hate, fear and prejudice those whose lives aren’t on show especially the bigots.
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