Literary Analysis To Kill A Mockingbird

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To Kill a Mockingbird Literary Analysis
What does it mean to be empathetic? It means one can psychologically identify with or vicariously experience the feelings, thoughts, or attitudes of someone else (Random House, Inc). Empathy can change one’s point of view of a situation or the way one views someone else. To Kill a Mockingbird, a novel by Harper Lee has a common theme of empathy. Harper Lee clarifies how being empathetic can strengthen the way one views life, especially in difficult situations.
Miss Maudie is filled with empathy for Boo Radley because she is able to remember who he was. Scout was speaking of the rumors about Boo Radley as if they were true. She also spoke as if she was above Boo, but Miss Maudie goes on to explain how …show more content…
Dolphus Raymond is able to identify how the people of Maycomb feel about him. Dolphus Raymond was aware of what people thought about him and he did not think that his actions were wrong. The townspeople were also aware that his interracial marriage was not a reason to hate him. Dolphus identified with them and saw why the townspeople disliked him, even if it wasn’t a good reason. Therefore, he gave them a good reason to dislike him. Dolphus told the children, “ ‘I try to give ‘em a reason, you see. It helps folks if they can latch onto a reason. When I come to town, which is seldom, if I weave a little drink out of this sack, folks can say Dolphus Raymond’s in the clutches of whiskey- that’s why he won’t change his ways. He can’t help himself, that’s why he lives the way he does’ ”(Lee 200). If Dolphus appeared as a drunk who is rarely seen around town, it gave people a reason to avoid him that didn’t make them feel bad about themselves.
Empathy strengthens one’s view on life. Identifying with someone who has had a personal struggle could open one’s eyes to a whole new perspective. Everyone is fighting their own battles, such as Boo Radley, that others know nothing about so why are people like Scout and Dill so quick to judge? Also, walking in someone else’s shoes can allow someone to gain a deeper understanding of someone’s choices like Jem did with Atticus. Empathy is a beautiful trait that if often overlooked in today’s society. It allows
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