When an individual first hears the word “education”, they are probably most likely to think instantly about school. In fact, many people overlook the fact that are two types of education in a child’s life: academic education and moral education. In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, the reader is taken through the story of Scout and Jem Finch’s childhood in the lazy town of Maycomb County, Alabama. Through the characters of Atticus and Boo Radley, Jem and Scout learn lessons of courage and false judgment which helps Lee convey the message that certain lessons crucial to a child’s intellectual growth are taught outside of school.
Lee uses Jem and Scout’s father, Atticus, to teach them about courage and what it means to be courageous. When Atticus …show more content…
When their neighbour, Mrs. Maudie’s house is on fire, Jem and Scout sit shivering in the cold in front of the Radley Place. When it’s safe for the children to go back home, Scout notices she is wrapped in a blanket. When Jem realizes it’s from Boo Radley, he explains to Atticus all the nice things Boo has done for them. To this, Atticus responds “‘Someday, maybe, Scout can thank him for covering her up… You were so busy looking at the fire you didn’t know it when he put the blanket around you’” (Lee 96). This shows how even though Scout and Jem were afraid of Boo Radley based off rumors they heard of him, Boo continued to do good deeds for them in hopes that they would realize that he wasn’t a bad person after all. Atticus knew all along that Boo isn’t a bad person, so he didn’t act surprised when he Jem told him about the good things Boo had done. In the beginning of the story, Jem and Scout used to walk past the Radley Place in fear, but now, they know they have nothing to be afraid of. When Bob Ewell attacks Jem and Scout, Boo kills him protecting the children. Scout learns that Boo isn’t a monster and indirectly connects him to a character in one of Jem’s books saying, “‘An’ they chased him ‘n’ never could catch him ‘cause they didn’t know what he looked like, an’ Atticus, when they finally saw him, why he hadn’t done any of those things… Atticus, he was real nice…’” (Lee 376). This explains how the majority of Maycomb thinks Boo is some kind of monster because most people have never seen or met him before. They only judge him based off rumors they’ve heard about him and the Radley family. However, as Jem and Scout interacted with Boo more, they realized that he is completely misjudged by people. They learn that Boo is actually a nice and innocent man who
Lee uses Jem and Scout’s father, Atticus, to teach them about courage and what it means to be courageous. When Atticus …show more content…
When their neighbour, Mrs. Maudie’s house is on fire, Jem and Scout sit shivering in the cold in front of the Radley Place. When it’s safe for the children to go back home, Scout notices she is wrapped in a blanket. When Jem realizes it’s from Boo Radley, he explains to Atticus all the nice things Boo has done for them. To this, Atticus responds “‘Someday, maybe, Scout can thank him for covering her up… You were so busy looking at the fire you didn’t know it when he put the blanket around you’” (Lee 96). This shows how even though Scout and Jem were afraid of Boo Radley based off rumors they heard of him, Boo continued to do good deeds for them in hopes that they would realize that he wasn’t a bad person after all. Atticus knew all along that Boo isn’t a bad person, so he didn’t act surprised when he Jem told him about the good things Boo had done. In the beginning of the story, Jem and Scout used to walk past the Radley Place in fear, but now, they know they have nothing to be afraid of. When Bob Ewell attacks Jem and Scout, Boo kills him protecting the children. Scout learns that Boo isn’t a monster and indirectly connects him to a character in one of Jem’s books saying, “‘An’ they chased him ‘n’ never could catch him ‘cause they didn’t know what he looked like, an’ Atticus, when they finally saw him, why he hadn’t done any of those things… Atticus, he was real nice…’” (Lee 376). This explains how the majority of Maycomb thinks Boo is some kind of monster because most people have never seen or met him before. They only judge him based off rumors they’ve heard about him and the Radley family. However, as Jem and Scout interacted with Boo more, they realized that he is completely misjudged by people. They learn that Boo is actually a nice and innocent man who