Have you ever misjudged someone or something based on what other people said? To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee teaches us about the innocence of growing up by showing us the fascinating change in all of the characters throughout the book. Harper Lee includes Scout, Jem, and Atticus to show that no matter how old or young, we all have things to learn from each other. In chapter nine, Atticus agrees to defend Tom Robinson in the upcoming case against him. When Atticus first takes the case, he was judged harshly and insulted with such cruelty, Scout heard what people said and she herself, failing to understand, began to judge her father as well. Atticus, realizing that she was just a child and didn’t know what she was talking about, taught her one of the most important lessons in life. Not to judge someone without “walking in their shoes.” (Lee page number). Despite Atticus’ effort, Tom is still unfortunately falsely accused of raping Mayella Ewell. It’s important to …show more content…
Dubose continuously insults Jem and Scout. One day, as Jem and Scout were walking by, she insulted Atticus for taking Tom’s case. Jem made an attempt at defending his father by destroying her camellias (type of plant). Atticus thought his way of handling Mrs. Dubose was unwise, and to try and prevent him from acting like this again, he sent Jem to Mrs. Dubose’s house to read to her. Shortly after Jem ended his reading sessions with her, she unfortunately passed away. It was then revealed she was a Morphine addict, and Jem was there to help her get rid of her addiction (him reading to her, kept her mind off of Morphine). Atticus just wanted Jem to see what “real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand.” (page number). Atticus didn’t want Jem to think that courage and power came from a gun or a weapon, and wanted him to see how courageous Mrs. Dubose was for trying to stop her addiction despite the fact that she was going to die