To begin with, children are born with a childhood innocence that doesn’t see race, prejudice, or unfairness and only sees the good in people, much like a mockingbird is born to sing and not cause any harm. Calpurnia is an African-American cook and housekeeper at Scout’s house. Scout and her brother Jem attended church with Calpurnia and noticed song books were not used. Jem suggested they save the collection money in order to buy books. Scout and Jem were surprised to discover that most people at the church could not read. Calpurnia said “Can’t be about four folks in First Purchase read… I’m one of ‘em” (Lee 165), Scout and Jem were just learning about social unfairness. It was shocking for them to realize that so many of Calpurnia’s friends
…show more content…
Included in the mob of people was Mr. Cunningham, a friend of Atticus. The mob was threatening to harm Atticus if he didn’t allow them access to Tom. Scout in her childhood innocence did not realize the danger and approached Mr. Cunningham in a friendly way. This allowed Mr. Cunningham to see Atticus’ point of view and he called off the mob. The next morning, Atticus and Scout are discussing what happened the night before. Scout remarked, “‘I thought Mr. Cunningham was a friend of ours. You told me long ago he was.’ ‘He still is.’ ‘But last night he wanted to hurt you.’” (Lee 210) Scout is young and her childhood innocence doesn’t allow her to understand why Mr. Cunningham would want to hurt Atticus. Scout doesn’t understand about prejudice and how it can make people react. Atticus has to explain how a mob can influence a person to act differently than if they were by themselves. In this situation, Scout is the mockingbird, and Mr. Cunningham’s actions ruined her innocence by exposing her to racism and prejudice. She learns that Maycomb is not as great as she had thought, many people are racist and make prejudice remarks, or assumptions. It is important to protect children and teach them to
Included in the mob of people was Mr. Cunningham, a friend of Atticus. The mob was threatening to harm Atticus if he didn’t allow them access to Tom. Scout in her childhood innocence did not realize the danger and approached Mr. Cunningham in a friendly way. This allowed Mr. Cunningham to see Atticus’ point of view and he called off the mob. The next morning, Atticus and Scout are discussing what happened the night before. Scout remarked, “‘I thought Mr. Cunningham was a friend of ours. You told me long ago he was.’ ‘He still is.’ ‘But last night he wanted to hurt you.’” (Lee 210) Scout is young and her childhood innocence doesn’t allow her to understand why Mr. Cunningham would want to hurt Atticus. Scout doesn’t understand about prejudice and how it can make people react. Atticus has to explain how a mob can influence a person to act differently than if they were by themselves. In this situation, Scout is the mockingbird, and Mr. Cunningham’s actions ruined her innocence by exposing her to racism and prejudice. She learns that Maycomb is not as great as she had thought, many people are racist and make prejudice remarks, or assumptions. It is important to protect children and teach them to