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Importance Of Empathy In To Kill A Mockingbird

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Many people don’t understand the importance of empathy and a lack of it can lead to prejudice and a misunderstanding of one’s character. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a story of learning to be empathetic and being able to walk in someone else’s shoes. Scout and her brother Jem, as well as their neighbor Dill, try to find out about the town legend: Boo Radley. Everyone sees him as a monster but as time goes on Boohelps the kids from the shadows, eventually saving their lives from a man who holds a grudge against their father. “Marigolds” a short story by Eugenia Collier, is about a girl who lives in Maryland during the great depression and whose life is changing too fast for her to handle. Because of this, she takes out all of her confusion …show more content…

When the reader is first introduced to Tom Robinson we learn that he has been accused of forcing himself on a woman. It seems that he has accepted the situation that he is in, he understands that his fate is held in his lawyer's hands. Atticus is scout's father and a well-known and dependable lawyer in their small town of Maycomb. Tom Robinson is given a trial and Atticus tries his best to defend him but unfortunately, the jury decided that Rom Robinson is guilty despite very convincing evidence that proves he is not guilty when the jailers were talking tom away Atticus tells him that"It's not time to worry yet," and reassures him that "We're not through yet. There'll be an appeal, you can count on that.“ later in the novel Atticus learns that tom Robinson was killed because he tried to escape prison Atticus and says ''I guess tom was tired of white men’s chances and preferred to take his own” this shows that for a short amount of time, Tom Robinson did have hope in Atticus but unfortunately he gave up hope and tried to do it his own way. This evokes empathy in readers because this is a common occurrence in many situations and this may have happened to the reader or someone close to …show more content…

This conflict is one many people around Lizabeth's age face often, this can stimulate empathy in the people who have experienced this conflict growing into adults or simply growing as a person. However, I believe that Harper Lee's work in To Kill a Mockingbird has better character development as well as better more realistic conflicts. I believe this because one of the main plot points, Tom Robinson's court case, displays a real and prevalent conflict in many parts of the world but more so in the United States of America; racism. This conflict has unfortunately affected a large majority of America and its citizens and has taken many lives throughout history because of this many more people can better relate to this

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To Atticus this case resembles chance. He believes that everyone should have a fair chance to speak out for what they believe in. As Tom Robinson’s trial took place, Atticus was determined to prove Tom’s innocence as his testimonies prove that towards the case but is declared guilty. This has occurred because Tom Robinson felt sorry for Mayella when Atticus was questioning Bob. This has lead the jury not to believe that a black man could feel sorry for a white woman.

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Hannah Flesch Mrs. Allen English 1: Part 1 General Program 29 April 2024 Quote Analysis Essay Introduction Empathy is a very powerful emotion that helps people understand and share the feelings of others. In some works of literature, empathy plays a crucial role in character development and the overall message of the story. One book in particular really dives into the subject of empathy, and that is Harper Lee's classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. This captivating classic follows Atticus Finch, a small-town lawyer in Maycomb, Alabama, who teaches his children Scout and Jem valuable lessons about empathy. One quote in the book that really shows you the message of the book is when Atticus is talking to his daughter Scout

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971 Words | 4 Pages

In my first selection, “To Kill a Mockingbird”, by Harper Lee, the story's main character, Jem Finch, slowly develops empathy as she grows and finally matures at the end of the book. In my second selection, “Statement on the Assassination of Martin Luther King” by Robert F. Kennedy, is the deceased former US Attorney General delivering a speech to the people of Indianapolis, and informing of the recent death of Martin Luther King. Out of these two, I strongly believe that Harper Lee is able to show the

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To Kill A Mockingbird Literary Analysis As defined in the dictionary, empathy is “the ability to share someone else’s feelings” (Merriam -Webster). Empathy is portrayed through emotions such as pity, compassion, and understanding. In the book To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, empathy can be found consistently in the actions and words of the characters. This repetition establishes kindness and sympathy towards specific characters, while building up hatred towards others.

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Atticus takes on the case of Tom even though all odds are against him. Tom Robinson is a black man who is falsely accused of raping a white woman. The people in the town are taking out their anger and frustration over the case on Atticus. During this time, the color of Tom's skin is what is making people think he was guilty. Atticus knows that he will get a case that will affect his home life eventually, and this case was it.

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707 Words | 3 Pages

Many people in this world cannot have empathy. Empathy is the ability to share and understand someone’s feelings. In the story "To Kill a Mockingbird,"presents the theme of empathy. Characters in this book show almost little to no empathy, as they are seen acting discriminatory, racist, and can make hostile comments. However, some characters in To Kill a Mockingbird many people in this world cannot have empathy.

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Empathy Empathy is shown in To Kill A Mockingbird by Atticus standing up for Tom Robinson, Jem realizing that Arthur Radley is not crazy; he is just antisocial, and Scout feeling remorse for tormenting Arthur throughout her childhood. Atticus shows empathy throughout the whole book, from promising Scout that they will read every night, to taking on Tom Robinson’s trial, it’s hard to find a more genuine character. While Atticus knew that the trial may not end well, he still believed he should stand up for what is right, regardless of anyone’s skin color. Atticus was willing to fight a large group of burly men to protect Tom Robinson, it could be that he thought about what he would want others to do if he were in that situation.

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The concept of empathy is important to Scout’s and Jem’s and the County of Maycomb coming-of-age because they must learn that they cannot judge a person or fully understand one until they have showed some sort of empathy towards that person.

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In the novel, "To Kill A Mockingbird," by Harper Lee, the main character, who is nicknamed Scout, learns the meaning of empathy as she struggles with handling the problems created by her first grade teacher. Over the years, there were many instances where I was required to seek a way to empathize towards others, despite the difficulty I faced while trying to comprehend their issues. However, there is one specific moment out of all these times which I could not relate with more. Two years ago, when I was in sixth grade, my best friend experienced a situation that would not even occur in my nightmares. Every morning, before class, we would meet in front of our first period class.

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Empathic Ways Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. In the Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird many of the characters experience empathy. For example, Atticus Finch, the father of the main character, shows feelings of empathy through his ways of payment with the Cunningham. Similarly, his daughter, and the main character, Scout Shows empathy with her being able to finally understand how Arthur (Boo) Radley feels and thinks. Finally, Tom Robinson, the man sent to court for the accusations of raping a white woman, would help Mayella Ewell, the woman he was accused of raping, whenever she needed it because he felt sorry for her.

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Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. To me the word empathy in “To Kill A Mockingbird” means “putting yourself in someone else’s shoes.” Harper Lee’s novel “To Kill A Mockingbird” suggests that empathy is a universal feeling, but everyone experiences it in different occasions and in different ways. Many people empathize through real life experiences. Scout is one of those people.

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When reading To Kill a Mockingbird a fiction novel by Harper Lee,there are atrocities that will cause the reader to empathy for the people,because the people are misunderstood and disliked , this going for almost every character in the book in their own ways To have empathy is to understand what somebody is going through, being able to understand because you probably have been through the same or similar things. I think that a man more so a child should never go throw some of the things that Tom Robinson and Walter Cunningham go through , there misunderstood by everyone,mistreated by the other folks, both live and are victims of poverty . Tom Robinson and I are both misunderstood , hurt and victims of poverty making him one of

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833 Words | 4 Pages

Imagine if you had a friend who came every summer to fill your head with fantastical stories, go on adventures with you, and maybe even get into a bit of trouble. For Jean Louise (Scout) Finch, Dill is the perfect friend for all those scenarios. In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mocking Bird, Dill shows up for the first time in the summer before Scout goes to first grade. He immediately becomes best friends with Jem (Jeremy) and Scout Finch. Every summer after that, Dill goes on countless adventures and runs into far too many mishaps with his friends.

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1201 Words | 5 Pages

Harper Lee's novel "To Kill a Mockingbird", investigates the aspects of human nature and the importance of empathy. Throughout the novel, Lee displays empathy through her many characters and their thoughts. The ability of empathy that disempowers ignorance. Furthermore, empathy plays a major role in assisting Justice. Finally, justice is restored by the courage and wisdom that empathy provides.

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Scout is initially naïve and does not think about how her actions affect others, showing that children can be offensive when their naïveté equates to a lack of empathy. For example, when Jem invites Walter Cunningham over for dinner, Scout is not accustomed to the way he eats. She says to Calpurnia, “But he’s gone and drowned his dinner in syrup, he’s poured it all over” (Lee 32). Scout’s youth prevents her from understanding the differences in other people’s life circumstances, including Walter’s. Her family is wealthier than the Cunninghams and she knows proper manners; Walter, on the other hand, likely does not.

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