French philosopher, Albert Schweitzer, once said, “The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others.” If this rudimentary value of society becomes invisible, a community can quickly show its judgmental traits. In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Atticus Finch witnesses the loss of compassion from his town known as Maycomb, Alabama and goes to exceptional extents to teach his children, Jem and Scout, the importance of understanding and respecting others’ perspectives. Due to Atticus’s teachings, Jem and Scout develop the ability to feel compassion towards everyone; they learn to accept all social classes and reject inequality. Scout has to journey through ups and downs in order to reach full immunity of Maycomb’s judgements. For example, when Aunt Alexandra calls Walter Cunningham trash, Scout becomes angry because she knows the Cunningham’s kind nature: “It was her callin’ Walter Cunningham trash that got me goin’…not
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For instance, when Atticus looses the trial of Tom Robinson, Jem becomes very frustrated by the jury’s inability to form an objective opinion on a case that has the power to cost a man his life (Lee 284). Jem does not understand how one’s conscious allows them to make such a harsh decision. However, one’s conscious weakens when their wrong actions become a habit. Their perspectives can no longer be supported by sensible minds and moral values. Furthermore, when Scout does not understand why Jem is so upset about her wanting to kill the insect in their room, Jem says, “they don’t bother you” (Lee 320). Although it may seem natural to kill a bug when it sneaks into a home, Jem realizes the harmlessness of the insect. He is able to identify harmless, innocent victims from malicious, ignorant villains. Jem copies Atticus’s exceptional mannerisms until they become part of the essence of his
For instance, when Atticus looses the trial of Tom Robinson, Jem becomes very frustrated by the jury’s inability to form an objective opinion on a case that has the power to cost a man his life (Lee 284). Jem does not understand how one’s conscious allows them to make such a harsh decision. However, one’s conscious weakens when their wrong actions become a habit. Their perspectives can no longer be supported by sensible minds and moral values. Furthermore, when Scout does not understand why Jem is so upset about her wanting to kill the insect in their room, Jem says, “they don’t bother you” (Lee 320). Although it may seem natural to kill a bug when it sneaks into a home, Jem realizes the harmlessness of the insect. He is able to identify harmless, innocent victims from malicious, ignorant villains. Jem copies Atticus’s exceptional mannerisms until they become part of the essence of his