Scout's Childhood In To Kill A Mockingbird

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To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee portrays the racism that Scout witnesses during the 1930s and how her father influenced her as a person. Thanks to these moments Scout grows as a character and gains understanding about the world. Scout’s childhood experiences and influences, along with encounters of racism inspired Harper Lee to write To Kill a Mockingbird.

Scout faces racism throughout the novel and none more significant than Atticus telling her advice about how to treat others, especially people of color, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view-until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” (p.33) Atticus’s words of wisdom reflect the standards that Scout upholds herself by. She does not think like a racist since her father views blacks as equal to whites and he will not judge them based on appearance. Mr. Finch can relate to his children since he was once a …show more content…

Mr.Radley had a unique relationship with Scout , even though he was an outcast who offered gifts to the Finch siblings. “ When they finally saw him, why hadn’t he done any of those things … Atticus, he was real nice…” “His hands were under my chin pulling up the cover, tucking it around me.” “Most people are, Scout , when you finally see them.”(p.323) Atticus’s loving role as a parent is emphasized in this passage. When he tucks his children in, it symbolizes a caring heart and empathy towards children. Atticus acknowledges that some people are evil and he still admires the good in them through their faults and weaknesses. For people who have good in them like Boo Radley and Tom Robinson, Atticus thinks they have dignity and he should respect them. As a result of Mr.Finch’s decision to defend Tom; he risked himself in the line of life versus every racist ideal just to protect the safety and dignity of a client he cared