Examples Of Empathy In To Kill A Mockingbird

Harry Halvorsen
Mr. Kanda
Survey 1
12 November 2014

To kill a mockingbird final draft In the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, many characters experience empathy in different ways.. The growth of the children in the book can be compared to a kindergartner and a college student. They start off as little pupils that barely knowing the definition of empathy. By the end of the book, they could write a college essay describing empathy in their town. The book has four main characters. Scout is the main character and the book is from her point of view. Jem is her older brother and Dill their friend who comes to visit every summer. Atticus is there dad and is filled with wisdom. Another character is Boo Radley who is ostracized from

During the trial of Tom Robinson, Atticus is the defending lawyer. He tries to turn the jury towards Bob Ewell the father of the rape victim. Atticus shows the jury that Mr. Ewell could have easily beat his daughter. The main idea that Atticus uses is that Tom Robinson didn’t hurt Mayella Ewell it was Bob Ewell. Although, at the end of the trial, Tom is found guilty and Bob Ewell grows a personal vendetta against Atticus. One day, on his way home, Atticus is spit on by Bob Ewell. Atticus refuses to retaliate when Bob Ewell spits in his face. Later, at home, Jem wants to understand why Atticus isn’t afraid. Atticus replies, “Jem see if you can stand in Bob Ewell’s shoes a minute. I destroyed his last shred of credibility at that trial, if he had any to begin with. The man had to have some kind of comeback, his kind always does. So if spitting in my face and threatening me saved Mayella Ewell one extra beating, that’s something I’ll gladly take. He had to take it out on somebody and I’d rather it be me than that houseful of children out there. You understand?” (218). Atticus wants Jem to understand Bob Ewell’s motives and why Atticus isn’t afraid. Atticus says that to “stand in Bob Ewell’s shoes a minute” will show that Bob won’t really attack Atticus. Bob just wants to show that he is tough. Bob is trying to show that he is offended by what Atticus accused him

That is the motive had to help her, empathy. Tom Robinson displays empathy at his own trial while on the witness stand when he confesses that he felt sorry for Mayella Ewell, whom he is accused of raping. Mayella is the lonely, abused daughter of Bob Ewell in the story. Mayella is a lonely young girl who has to take care of the house and her many siblings alone and by herself. This shows how the “felt sorry for her” is considered and how unexpected it is for a member of the black community to pity a member of the white community. Tom is a kind and innocent character who wants to help people no matter what the risk, much like