Life lessons are cultivated at all ages to help individuals grow and thrive throughout a lifetime. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, characters develop through the life lessons instilled in them. The novel, set in the American south in the 1930s, focuses on the Finch family made up of Atticus, Jem and Scout. The children, Jem and Scout, are, like all humans, educated by their surroundings. Atticus, the father, raises and teaches his children with the help of the community. Jem and Scout, like most American children of the time period, are exposed to discrimination and prejudices that are flagrant in their community. Nevertheless, Atticus Finch attempts to mitigate the predetermined prejudices by exercising compassion and understanding.
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Scout grasps the viewpoint of Boo Radley, a neighbor and recluse who remains cooped up in his house day after day. Initially, because of Boo Radley’s reclusiveness, Jem and Scout use their imaginations to create an image of the mysterious neighbor. As a result, numerous rumors and prejudices are associated with Boo. However, the mysterious Boo Radley saves Jem’s life from an attack; thus, causing Scout to reevaluate the character of Boo. Following the attack, at the Finch house, Scout and Boo finally meet. Scout walks Boo Radley home and turns to leave as she suddenly sees the neighborhood from Boo’s viewpoint. Scout imagines what Boo has seen over the years past, “Summer, and he watched his children’s heart break. Autumn again, and Boo’s children needed him. Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. Just standing on the Radley porch was enough” (374). In this moment, Scout becomes aware of the true character of Boo Radley. By remembering the wise words of Atticus, Scout physically puts herself in the shoes of Boo and imagines the way Boo perceives daily life. Scout’s ability to recall the advice from Atticus and view the situation from Boo Radley’s point of view validates her understanding of the life lesson Atticus teaches. Furthermore, Scout disregards former prejudices of Boo and is
Scout grasps the viewpoint of Boo Radley, a neighbor and recluse who remains cooped up in his house day after day. Initially, because of Boo Radley’s reclusiveness, Jem and Scout use their imaginations to create an image of the mysterious neighbor. As a result, numerous rumors and prejudices are associated with Boo. However, the mysterious Boo Radley saves Jem’s life from an attack; thus, causing Scout to reevaluate the character of Boo. Following the attack, at the Finch house, Scout and Boo finally meet. Scout walks Boo Radley home and turns to leave as she suddenly sees the neighborhood from Boo’s viewpoint. Scout imagines what Boo has seen over the years past, “Summer, and he watched his children’s heart break. Autumn again, and Boo’s children needed him. Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. Just standing on the Radley porch was enough” (374). In this moment, Scout becomes aware of the true character of Boo Radley. By remembering the wise words of Atticus, Scout physically puts herself in the shoes of Boo and imagines the way Boo perceives daily life. Scout’s ability to recall the advice from Atticus and view the situation from Boo Radley’s point of view validates her understanding of the life lesson Atticus teaches. Furthermore, Scout disregards former prejudices of Boo and is