In order to give Scout and Jem more accurate and modern views about society, Atticus starts by showing them how to use the tool of empathy in everyday life. Atticus understands the feelings that the people of Maycomb have about his position on race, but he’s still kind and gracious to them because he understands that they each have varying degrees of suffering in their own lives; “Atticus would sweep off his hat, wave gallantly to her and say, ‘Good evening Mrs. Dubose! You look like a picture this evening’”(Lee, 115). Atticus knows quite clearly the opinions that Ms. Dubose has about his profession and on Tom’s trial, but he still takes the time to greet and to compliment her. This is because he also knows about her struggle with morphine addiction, and after putting himself into her shoes, he realizes that her insults are just a way to make her suffering a little bit easier.
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He also makes sure that to actually explain empathy to Scout; “‘You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view’”(Lee, 33). In addition to showing his kids, Atticus always takes the time to state the significance of his actions. This way, when they see it, they can relate to that conversation and realize that they too, should give it a try. By using this method Atticus can effectively get through to his children about simple things, or more expansive ideas like race.
After Jem and Scout begin to mature, Atticus helps them understand the role that racism plays in Maycomb, and from there on, to establish their own healthy and honest ideas on the subject. He does this by incorporating events from their everyday life; “As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don’t you forget it - whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, no matter how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash’” (Lee, 253). After losing the Tom Robinson case, Jem refuses to believe to see the true nature of the human race and tries to blame it on the entire court system. Atticus steps in and uses this as a moment to teach Jem about how racist and corrupt not the court, but the people can be. He even makes sure that Scout, at her young age, can develop into a progressionist of sorts; “‘nigger-lover is just one of those terms that don’t mean anything - like snot nose. It’s hard to explain - ignorant, trashy people use it when they think that somebody’s favoring negroes over and above themselves’”(Lee, 124). When Scout comes back from an afternoon of reading to Mrs. Dubose, she asks what a n*****-lover is. Atticus wants her to see that what other people say about her is not important and that those types of taunting are below her because they degrade African Americans. Another technique that Atticus used was comparing a dangerous and dirty word to a silly and childish insult, which allows her to relate it to her own everyday arguments, and furthermore, to grasp what he is trying to
He also makes sure that to actually explain empathy to Scout; “‘You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view’”(Lee, 33). In addition to showing his kids, Atticus always takes the time to state the significance of his actions. This way, when they see it, they can relate to that conversation and realize that they too, should give it a try. By using this method Atticus can effectively get through to his children about simple things, or more expansive ideas like race.
After Jem and Scout begin to mature, Atticus helps them understand the role that racism plays in Maycomb, and from there on, to establish their own healthy and honest ideas on the subject. He does this by incorporating events from their everyday life; “As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don’t you forget it - whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, no matter how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash’” (Lee, 253). After losing the Tom Robinson case, Jem refuses to believe to see the true nature of the human race and tries to blame it on the entire court system. Atticus steps in and uses this as a moment to teach Jem about how racist and corrupt not the court, but the people can be. He even makes sure that Scout, at her young age, can develop into a progressionist of sorts; “‘nigger-lover is just one of those terms that don’t mean anything - like snot nose. It’s hard to explain - ignorant, trashy people use it when they think that somebody’s favoring negroes over and above themselves’”(Lee, 124). When Scout comes back from an afternoon of reading to Mrs. Dubose, she asks what a n*****-lover is. Atticus wants her to see that what other people say about her is not important and that those types of taunting are below her because they degrade African Americans. Another technique that Atticus used was comparing a dangerous and dirty word to a silly and childish insult, which allows her to relate it to her own everyday arguments, and furthermore, to grasp what he is trying to