“True contentment comes with empathy” (Tom Finn). Without empathy, today’s society would be unduly cruel. Empathy relieves many from redundant judgement, and often provides a deeper understanding of one’s unique challenges. In Harper Lee’s, To KIll a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch tells his daughter Scout that “You never really understand a man until you consider things from his point of view… —until you climb into his skin and walk around in it” (39). Throughout Lee’s captivating novel, one observes Scout mature as a character as she attempts to follow her father’s advice to “walk in another’s shoes” and be more empathetic. Initially, one recognizes how Scout’s lack of empathy negatively impacts her thoughts and behaviours. For instance, on Scout’s first day of school, her teacher, Miss
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Scout begins to acknowledge Mayella Ewell’s situation and perspective, a low-class, white woman who accuses a black man of raping her. Mayella asks Tom Robinson for many favours, merely because she enjoys his company. While listening to the court, Scout realizes that “Mayella must be the loneliest person in the world” (256). Mayella desires company so excessively that she attempts to befriend a black man, an act which alienates her from the white population of Maycomb. Although Mayella wrongfully accuses Tom Robinson, Scout recognizes that Mayella is truly companionless and wishes to be noticed. Comparably, Scout begins to show empathy to Tom Robinson. Despite the racism Scout is exposed to in Maycomb, she knows that Tom is being tried unfairly as a result of the colour of his skin. Scout becomes frustrated when Tom in unjustifiably convicted, since she believes he is a respectable gentleman (257). Scout empathises for Tom when she considers the hardships associated with being a coloured man. As a result, one notices Scout’s appreciation of empathy mature throughout the
Scout begins to acknowledge Mayella Ewell’s situation and perspective, a low-class, white woman who accuses a black man of raping her. Mayella asks Tom Robinson for many favours, merely because she enjoys his company. While listening to the court, Scout realizes that “Mayella must be the loneliest person in the world” (256). Mayella desires company so excessively that she attempts to befriend a black man, an act which alienates her from the white population of Maycomb. Although Mayella wrongfully accuses Tom Robinson, Scout recognizes that Mayella is truly companionless and wishes to be noticed. Comparably, Scout begins to show empathy to Tom Robinson. Despite the racism Scout is exposed to in Maycomb, she knows that Tom is being tried unfairly as a result of the colour of his skin. Scout becomes frustrated when Tom in unjustifiably convicted, since she believes he is a respectable gentleman (257). Scout empathises for Tom when she considers the hardships associated with being a coloured man. As a result, one notices Scout’s appreciation of empathy mature throughout the