What Is The Importance Of Understanding In To Kill A Mockingbird

Albert Einstein once stated, “Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.” Though somewhat ambiguous, Harper Lee truly represents the notion of understanding in her masterpiece To Kill a Mockingbird. Lee’s novel illustrates the importance of attempting to understand someone and thereby valuing them as a human being. Everyday there exists one or more opportunities to show empathy and compassion, though only are brave few are willing to rise to the occasion. Alan, the main character in To Kill a Mockingbird, realizes there is no way to “understand a person until you consider things from his point of view.” Furthermore, he teaches his children compassion by example; evidenced by his actions throughout the novel. Making …show more content…
Even the people of Maycomb county were unwilling to begrudge the Pat children of “any game their father could hit,” despite the Pat family being considered human trash. Nevertheless, the same people whose intolerance towards African Americans could have been described as abusive, chose to condone a man’s illegal activity to prevent his children’s starvation. Though it helped that the Pats were Caucasian, the area’s residents still showed an uncharacteristic amount of sympathy. Maycomb county citizens, like some citizens of our own society, expressed understanding and their value of human life by allowing some transgressions to go on without consequences. Every single person has the chance to be the catalyst of change for someone else. Even small actions illustrate what human life is worth; such as allowing a pregnant woman to enter or exit a building first. Every decision we make affects someone else, even if we are unable to anticipate the resulting impact. Ordinarily, we rarely witness an expression of compassion without some expectation of personal gain. By considering or attempting to obviate negative repercussions for someone else, we demonstrate the worth of human dignity and